Zip_ME87

Timbers' Porter: Valeri will man our attack, free up Nagbe ...“As we build our team, we’re going to have other key players, and I see Darlington being one of our attacking weapons, but certainly not our only attacking weapon,” Porter said. “Good teams have many, and we’re finally getting to the point where we have a diverse attacking group. "With Darlington, I actually think in some ways he’s more effective when he can flow in and out of the game and pop up and hurt you in moments. I don’t think it will be on him to be the guy on the ball running the show. He’s a young player, and he’s not ready for that role yet. But he’s certainly ready to produce.”...

I saw that and agree. Congratulations Pablo. He will be missed at Akron. Thanks also to @ZipPaul for keeping all of us up to date.

Crew signs Defender Chad Barson to Homegrown contract Edit: The Columbus Crew announced on Thursday it has agreed to a Homegrown contract with Lewis Center native and University of Akron standout Chad Barson. ... Barson’s signature makes him the fifth Homegrown player in club history after his Akron teammate Wil Trapp signed with the Black & Gold last month. The Lewis Center native recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Akron with a 3.99 Grade Point Average after earning First Team NSCAA All-American honors. Barson started and appeared in 93 out of 95 games during his college career, tying Anthony Ampaipitakwong’s program record in matches played. The three-time All-MAC First Team defender played a team-high 2,254 minutes during the Zips 2010 NCAA Championship-winning season on a team that featured eight players who were on MLS rosters in 2012. “Chad is a strong addition to our team and a player that we’ve had our eye on for some time,” said Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss.” “We’re obviously familiar with his abilities from our Youth system, and he enjoyed a successful career at the University of Akron. Chad will make a fine pro and we look forward to his contributions.” ...

Looks like Ives had this back on December 20, 2012. From the Dispatch article: "His signing will push the Crew roster to 22 players. The deal has been finalized for a few weeks." Unrelated, also from the Crew website concerning the schedule released today: 7/7 - Crew vs. Portland Timbers FC Former Akron University Head Coach Caleb Porter returns to Ohio in early July, potentially squaring off against former Akron standouts Ben Speas and Wil Trapp.

I missed this back in December, but it looks like Wil Trapp had a successful camp with the US U-20s. I hope that he will continue that in 2013. http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-20-MNT/2012...-Venezuela.aspx Wil Trapp initiated the play that resulted in the first U.S. goal in the 13th minute, recovering the ball after a Venezuela turnover and playing it through the center circle to Gil. Gil quickly played the ball onto the path of Villarreal, who was crashing into the left corner of the box. Villarreal slammed a hard shot into the left corner. The ball deflected off the goalkeeper before heading into the goal. ... The last goal of the game fell in the 85th minute when Trapp played a through ball to Metzger from just outside the center circle. Metzger fired his shot into the right side of the goal from 10 yards out.

I read this https://twitter.com/SoccerByIves/status/281829978243493888 back in December but have yet to see it confirmed by the Crew.

Best wishes to Chauncey for a speedy recovery.

Thanks Crew8. I'm looking forward to going to Columbus to support Wil and Chad this season. ...Trapp: “Yeah, I’d say so. I mean, even more so now because of the Home Grown signings, I think. I mean you have kids who played for the Crew academy and have gone to games since they were young. I feel like the fans are really going to be able to relate. It’s hard to go to the games when you don’t know the people and now it is one of those things where ‘Oh, Chad Barson? I went to high school with that kid...

http://www.massivereport.com/2012/12/24/38...ome-grown-class

I agree. How can he expect his players to be "fired up" if he's not. A strong schedule with quality OOC wins and no or few losses could lead to an at-large bid even for a MAC team. EDIT: This quote bothers me the most, "Fans don't like to hear this, but I think they've gotten spoiled at both schools," Dambrot said. "Now, they expect Gary and I to make the NCAA every year -- and maybe win a game in the tournament -- for it to be considered a success." Isn't getting to the NCAA Tournament the top goal? Yes, there can be other goals along the way, but THE GOAL should be going deep into the NCAA Tournament, even winning the National Championship. Given a coach with vision and the right attitude, there is no reason Akron can't compete (Butler and VCU have done it).

Congratulations to Scott Caldwell!

You are correct that I have a Portland jersey with Porter's name and college # on it (that I picked up 2 months ago). I will continue to be conflicted when our former players, and now coach, face off. However, in the past I had no connection to the Crew (other than Ben Speas who hasn't seen significant playing time yet). That has changed and hopefully will change more with another HG addition as the Crew has indicated may be in the works.

Thanks Crew8. Nice find. BTW, with the Crew signing Wil Trapp, you can now count me in as a Crew fan.

We need to keep reminding ourselves and our athletics department to break the "mid-major" mentality. Caleb did it. He believed that Akron could compete with anyone, and he made it happen. Also, for those who weren't there, Caleb made it clear last night that he's happy that where he will be, he will not be competing against Akron. He would never have left to go to another university.

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/douglas/port...vation-1.356529 EDIT: The Portland Timbers also noticed the editorial: http://www.portlandtimbers.com/blog/post/2...odel-innovation It is an essential read into learning just how much Porter meant to the Akron community but also a testament to what his soccer vision could mean to his new home in Portland.

Very interesting who reads Zipsnation (more discussion about Dillon Serna and Rapids' homegrown possibility)... http://www.burgundywave.com/2012/12/4/3722...kron-rapids-mls Edit: In my opinion, the sad thing in the article linked above is that the writer is only concerned with Dillon as a soccer player. A Generation Adidas deal is one thing, but giving up a college scholarship (or even a partial scholarship) to pursue a professional soccer career with no guarantee of making the first team is not necessarily better than staying at Akron or making a lateral move and continuing to work toward a college degree while playing soccer.

Good post TennZip. I have confidence in Jared as well, and he deserves the time to prove himself and our support while doing so. He's been part of our success the past 6 seasons. I'm confident in Fernando Pina or Andrian McAdams in goal. As far as position players, without including the underclassmen in question, we have Alfred Koroma, Reinaldo Brenes, Robbie Derschang, Aodhan Quinn, Eric Stevenson, Saad Abdul-Salaam, Keyvon Afsarifard, Andrew Souders, Phil Fives, Matt Foldesy, and Zac Portillos who have all seen playing time over the past season or more. Then there's Adam Najem, the 1 recruit (midfielder) listed by Top Drawer Soccer. Hopefully, he's still interested in joining our family. Maybe a few transfers, as you mentioned, in addition to recruits of whom we've not heard. Then Jared could perhaps add some international players. I remember Darren Mattocks being a late addition (announced in summer 2010). We also have other players whom we've not seen play but could step up.

I agree, except we know that 3 starters won't return...Chad Barson, Scott Caldwell, and David Meves. We, however as you said, can't jump to conclusions as to which underclassmen will leave. It's happened in recent years, and is likely to happen this year. Finally, no NCAA coach is allowed to discuss recruits until they have signed their letters of intent. So, Jared can't address that even if he wanted to. We're just going to have to be patient.

I understand your questions, and I wouldn't have thought about trading homegrown rights. However, in thinking about it, what's the difference between a team trading a player's homegrown rights as opposed to signing him to a homegrown contract and then trading him? The only difference I can see is that the team obtaining the homegrown rights is taking a risk as they might not be able to sign the player.

Wow. http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2012/1...nge-defender-ko Very nice for Bryan.

+1

Thanks. I look forward to seeing Fred back on the pitch this Spring.

More speculation. http://www.burgundywave.com/2012/11/17/365...megrown-signing

I hope Fred (as he told me he likes to be called) has a full recovery.

I totally agree. Since the NSCAA Coaches vote for the Hermann, you might want to share just that specific thought with them. I'm not sure exactly whom to contact, but perhaps the Awards Associate Executive Director listed on the NSCAA website contact page.