Zip_ME87

Portland Timbers stand tall among MLS ranks ...Every market is different, yet there are similar fits in Kansas City, where Sporting KC has found a rabid following in the nation's 37th largest city, and Columbus, where the Crew have increased attendance from last season despite playing in football-crazed Ohio. Caleb Porter knows all about the Buckeye State. The first-year Portland head coach left the University of Akron in August 2012, where he had a 123-18-17 record, including a national championship in 2010, to join the Timbers. And Porter took a pay cut to do so. "The passion here is unmatched," said Porter, who turned down D.C. United a few years earlier. "If I was going to leave my situation (in Akron) -- where we had 5,000 fans at each game, which was very passionate for college soccer and where a lot of people were into it and cared -- if I was going to leave that, it would have to be something similar but even of a much bigger magnitude.... Edit: A slight error in that Caleb didn't leave in August 2012 but was named Timbers HC in August 2012...oh well. Caleb is proud of what he did at Akron as he/we should be, and I will always be a fan.

Vote for Darlington, Goal of the Week

I think this deserves its own thread. VOTE HERE for the MLS All Star Team. DeAndre Yedlin (D), Darlington Nagbe (F), Kofi Sarkodie (D), and Perry Kitchen (M) are on the ballot.

Wil Trapp and DeAndre Yedlin named to US U20 World Cup roster. Ramos names U20 World Cup Roster

‏@ColumbusCrew #Crew96 Starting XI: Gruenebaum; Barson, Gehrig, Glauber, Wahl; Meram, Tchani, Sanchez, Speas; Higuain, Oduro http://www.thecrew.com/match/crew-union-june-5-2013

Crew at Union - June 5, 2013 Player Spotlight Crew Homegrown Player Chad Barson made his debut in Robert Warzycha's starting lineup on Saturday against the Houston Dynamo. The rookie defender was instrumental in securing a point at home, drawing the foul that led to Federico Higuaín's equalizing penalty kick. Barson earned high praise from his teammates after the match for his performance. "If [barson] is frazzled, he really does a good job of containing it," goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum said. "I thought he was very poised and did a great job of both attacking, getting behind and serving the ball with defending as well." Added Dominic Oduro: "I thought he did very well, especially for his first game starting. He was really massive, he played with his heart and I thought he did great." With Josh Williams listed as questionable for Wednesday's match with calf inflammation, Barson could see his second career start come against the Union.

I knew Brian Quinn was a soccer coach but didn't know he had coached an MLS team until about 8 months or so ago. I first discovered that he was the coach of the San Jose Clash who drafted Caleb Porter when I was searching the internet last year trying to find the number that Caleb wore in college. I, too, thought it was an interesting connection and mentioned it to some of my friends who also follow Zips Mens Soccer. They didn't know until I mentioned it. By the way, that's a great and well-deserved article about Aodhan. I'm glad he made the transfer to Akron from Bradley.

Not sure whose comment you're suggesting implied that notion. I didn't read that into anyone's comments in this thread. Referring to something as "Akron philosophy" or that a player learned something from Akron coaches or Akron's style doesn't mean the style was invented in Akron.

He scored at least 1 goal and had a few assists at Akron. Also, in four years of games and practices, he would have seen the outside backs get forward enough to have picked up something from them and the coaches...as much (or more so) as learning from Josh Williams. Regardless of how much he got forward himself, he certainly learned it at Akron.

I may have stated that a little too harshly. Like anyone, I'm sure Chad is learning from his teammates, but getting forward is not something he just picked up in Columbus. I know you're a Crew fan, but I just can't get excited about their style of play. I also find Warzycha to be less than inspiring. I wish the Crew would find a more charismatic and driven coach, but I know that's easier said than done.

Homegrown defender Chad Barson keys Crew rally vs. Houston Dynamo I can't help but find this quote by Eric Gehrig insulting: "Maybe he's been watching Josh and it rubbed off on him," Crew center back Eric Gehrig said. "As a right back you’re taught to go forward and try to make a difference in the game. He picked a good spot to go forward." In his post-game interview in response to a question from Ashleigh Ignelzi, Chad said getting forward was something he did in college, as we all know. (Yeah, he learned it from some Josh [Williams] who played for Cleveland State.)

Chad Barson is making his first MLS start tonight at 7:30 pm for the Columbus Crew vs Kofi Sarkodie and the Houston Dynamo. Game is on FSN Ohio. EDIT: I hate typos, but I can't change the topic title.

Victor Souto scores in his first match with the Timbers U23s. Timbers U-23s defeat SeaWolves FC 2-0 Making his team debut, Souto provided the insurance goal late in the match. A free kick by Brenes from the right side was chested down inside the box by forward Mark Sherrod and Souto was in position to drive the ball from 15 yards out inside the right post for his first goal of the season.

Victor Souto added to Portland Timbers U23 roster. Also mentioned here.

I don't know how many Zips' faithful are planning to attend the Timbers vs Crew match in Columbus on July 7th, but I noticed that the Timbers Army is selling group tickets online. This seems to be open to anyone who wants to sit with the TA and support the Timbers and the price seems reasonable at $16.75/ticket. AK_Rowdies/Zips Fans + Timbers Army could be a lot of fun if you're a Timbers fan. (I'm certain Coach Porter, Darlington Nagbe, and Ben Zemanski would love seeing Zips fans among the Timbers Army.) Please note the following on the linked website: These tickets are open to all Timbers fans traveling to the games, and you can purchase as many as you need. Note: Our away supporter sections are treated as general admission areas even though there may be seat numbers on your tickets. Because standing, singing, chanting and flag waving are to be expected in a supporters section, your view may be blocked at times. If you have any questions about any of our trips/tickets please email awaytravel@timbersarmy.org. EDIT: Of course, I should admit that this is a tough decision as I'm a huge fan of Wil Trapp and Chad Barson as well.

Barson ready if called to action against Red Bulls (Homegrown could get nod with shortage in backline) Less than a week after his first taste of professional soccer, Crew rookie defender and Homegrown Player Chad Barson could be next in line to start along the Black & Gold backline against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday (5:00 p.m. ET / UniMas, FOX Sports Ohio). ...

No ceiling? Three months into pro career, the sky is the limit for Seattle Sounders' DeAndre Yedlin ...“The thing with DeAndre is his skill and his energy,” Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said. “His youth, and as a result his endurance, allows him to be able to attack on that right side of the field. It gives us a little more attacking flare on that side. It gives whoever is on the right side the ability to tuck in a little bit more. "That’s something that helps us, that helps us compact our midfield at certain times. It’s really his energy and ability to close people down has helped us so far defensively in key moments.” Yedlin’s progress was given a kickstart around this time last year when he joined the Sounders U-23 team and was given more opportunities to train with the senior side. While he had previously played under pro coaches, and spent his college years at the closest thing the nation has to a soccer factory and even participated in a Sounders training session or two, the 16-match PDL season offered a new kind of bridge to the professional ranks. ...

Chad Barson had his MLS debut today coming into the game in the 83rd/84th minute in a 1-0 Columbus Crew win over Toronto. EDIT: Match Recap.

Brunswick is in Medina County.

This is somewhat old news, but I particularly liked reading this: ...While no one likes to see their favorite team’s coach fined, this should be seen as a positive from Timbers supporters. Porter has already shown that he can turn a cellar dweller into a playoff team in one offseason and after his actions on Wednesday, the Timbers Army know that he is willing to fight for his squad no matter the cost. The penalty cost the Timbers two points but they still drew against the top of the table on the road. This result would’ve been remarkable in the Timbers first two season but under Porter it still isn’t good enough. This team will go along way if they play the passion of their coach and so far this season, they’ve done just that.

Poll: Who should start in place of injured Chad Marshall?

http://www.coloradorapids.com/video/2013/0...e-training-u20s

“For me it doesn’t feel a whole lot different because I was so involved as an assistant,” Embick said Monday. “I was as excited then as an assistant as I am now as the head coach. This is a good group of players. We will probably have another one or two additions that have not been finalized.”

Perhaps if DeAndre hadn't cut his hair, he wouldn't have seen red. Not superstitious apparently. It's okay, though. Just a minor bump in the road, but no DeA and no Steve Zakuani (Lamrar Neagle, Shalrie Joseph, and Obafemi Martins) is going to make it very difficult vs SKC.

@Robbie Derschang Excited to get down to Austin and start the campaign with the @AustinAztex http://austinaztex.com/player-roster/ EDIT: Nice choice. I like the Aztex team colors... James ‏@AztexPunk @RobbieDerschang @austinaztex we can't wait to cheer you on! Lets go Blue and gold.