Zip_ME87

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.

Boca Raton was a nice trip for our players (and fans) every other year.

I'll probably freak out with you.

Because it would have been seamless and smooth if a different successor had been selected? What does seamless and smooth mean to you? I don't recall anyone stating that there wouldn't be some doubt in players' minds with Caleb's departure. While we all sit her wringing our hands and wondering what next year will bring, I suspect that Caleb is (or will be) meeting with each of his players, as he always has at the end of the season, and discussing their options and his recommendations with them. You don't put your heart and soul into a team and then just leave. That's probably why Caleb chose December 15th. That date would give him some time after the College Cup to meet with his players before departing. I would think that Jared is involved as well. I also trust that our seniors likely will be sharing their perspectives, too, because they all care about one another. There likely will be some who leave as has happened in the past. The last several years we've had underclassmen leave even when Caleb wasn't departing. I admit that I'm nervous given Caleb's departure, but Jared deserves his opportunity and our support. He's family and has been part of our success over the past 6 years.

I'll never forget standing outside the fence by the benches at the Shrank practice field and hearing Caleb say that. After hearing that, I had to turn away because it made me smile and chuckle (knowing how great our leader and team are), but he was having a serious, teaching moment; it wouldn't do for them to see me smiling. I knew other Zips fans would enjoy that quote. It's a classic. The other classic I'll never forget (and I'm sure other fans won't either) was sitting in the stands at Harder Stadium during the National Championship game and hearing Caleb's motivational "They're wilting!". Yes, I stayed late after the game Sunday as I did all season. Everyone who stuck around to show their support and respect to our team and coaches made me extremely proud to be a Zips fan. It was very tough, and I still tear up thinking about it. As Josh said in his article, we all hoped we'd send Caleb and our seniors off under better circumstances. Caleb and the players were gracious to us as always. They are winners, and the relationship Caleb and the team built with the Rowdies and fans is special.

Right on, Josh. We are family. My heart goes out to the players and coaches. They worked so hard and were definitely the better team. With all of the shots off the crossbar and posts, blown calls etc. it just seems that it wasn't meant to be this time. They deserved so much a better ending to this season. The Akron Men's Soccer Team is my "happy place" as I'm sure is the case for many fans. Every Spring game, every home game, every away game, supporting Scott and Chad in Pontiac with the Michigan Bucks, supporting Thomas Schmitt, Andrian McAdams, and Bryan Gallego with AFC Cleveland, supporting DeAndre with the Sounders U23 in London, Ontario was an absolute pleasure for me thanks to the guys. A practice prior to the first Fall exhibition game hearing Caleb bemoan, "I know you played 'shit soccer' all summer, but THIS IS AKRON", surprising the guys at baggage claim in the Cleveland airport after their trip from Hell return from the Creighton Tournament, slapping hands with the guys as we passed on a sidewalk in Oneota, NY prior to the Hartwick match, greeting them as they entered the field at Michigan State, Wil Trapp's first Akron goal, staying up late and outvoting UCLA with other Zips fans in the Senior CLASS Award fan voting, watching games with and getting to know players' families, and many, many other great memories this season and others bring a smile back to my face.

This would be nice but won't necessarily happen. When is the last time that Northwestern or Wisconsin visited Akron during the regular season?

I don't know that author, but he should check his facts...Coming out of college after his freshman season, Sarkodie’s eight goals and six assists at the University of Akron made it clear he spent plenty of time getting forward. ...Kofi was a Junior when he left.

I should have also mentioned 4 of the most successful Zips seniors may be playing in their last game on our campus today, also. I hope Zipsnation shows up in large numbers to give them our support and show them our gratitude. GO ZIPS!