Zip_ME87

http://www.netnebraska.org/television/sports/

This is from Wikipedia, which I know can have errors. However, this supports Yaznasty's point. Home Grown Player is a player development program in Major League Soccer aimed at allowing clubs to develop locally-based players without exposing them to the auspices of the MLS SuperDraft. Such players are signed by clubs to Generation adidas contracts which do not count against the MLS salary cap and usually earn a much higher salary than the league minimum. To be eligible for the program, players must have resided in the signing club's home territory (usually defined as a 75-mile radius from the club's home stadium) and have participated in the club's youth development system for at least one year. The club then must place a Discovery Claim on that player. 17 of the 19 current MLS clubs have their own in-house "academies," while the Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers outsource their youth development systems to other locally-based independent soccer clubs. If a claimed player decides to go to college, for him to retain his Home Grown status he must have participated in a minimum of 80 games and/or training sessions with his youth club before departing for college. To retain his status while in college, the player must participate in a minimum of 30 games/training sessions with their previous club during their college career. Those players who were named to a US or Canadian Youth National Team before joining an MLS club-affiliated youth development program are not eligible for the Home Grown Player program. There is no limit to the number of Home Grown Players a club may sign in a given year, but each club may have no more than two Home Growns on their first-team roster.

Yeah, we should have seen that again in 2012 had Montreal not passed on the, hopefully, soon-to-be MLS Rookie of the Year.

I'm not sure I completely understand the rules, but I thought that Academy players still had the right to sign with Generation Adidas if they leave college early.

Yeah, I felt dejected when Steve left for the MLS draft, but I was completely re-energized in January 2009 when the MLS Commissioner said With the 1st pick in the 2009 MLS Superdraft, the Seattle Sounders select, from the University of Akron, forward Steve Zakuani. What a great day in Zips sports...#1 overall draft pick!

[ELITE EIGHT: #2 Akron] Akron didn't suffer the wholesale losses it did in 2011 when it had seven players from its national championship team taken in the MLS SuperDraft and five in the first eight picks. But the loss of Jamaican Darren Mattocks, who went with the No. 2 pick to Vancouver, leaves the Zips without a proven go-to goal scorer for the first time since Steve Zakuani arrived in 2008. Going into 2009, were our proven goal scorer(s) Sophomores Teal Bunbury and/or Darlington Nagbe? I don't recall how many goals they scored as Freshmen in 2008.

F Thomas Schmitt, Akron: Never count out a four-year senior from Akron, and while Schmitt isn’t the most physically impressive player, if he can hold onto his starting spot and score some goals, he’ll certainly get a chance to showcase himself in MLS. I'm glad to see Thomas getting well-deserved recognition. I think he's a 5-year senior having red-shirted in 2008, if I remember correctly.

Thanks.

Ok. I probably should have worded that differently because I know you have inside information. If Alfred has a bone contusion, would he be practicing? This is what I found on the internet, which, I admit, might be misleading given that I'm not a medical professional. However, I do know someone who watched Alfred practice yesterday, and that seems inconsistent to me with this... http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-bone-contusion.htm A bone contusion is a deep bruise that affects a section of bone tissue. Most contusions result from direct injuries, such as falls or sudden impacts during sports. Bone bruises are typically very painful and lingering symptoms may last for several months following injuries, especially when they occur near the ends of joints where ligaments and cartilage are also damaged. Treatment for a bone contusion depends on the location and the severity of symptoms, but most patients are given pain medications and instructed to get plenty of rest to promote faster healing. ... Patients with mild bone contusions are typically advised to rest, ice, and elevate the injured body part for several days to ease their symptoms. ... Mild bone contusions usually start feeling better in two to four weeks, at which point an individual can begin light activity to gradually rebuild strength and flexibility. ...

I disagree. I think CLASS means commitment to the school (involvement other than in the chosen sport), commitment in the classroom, commitment on the field, and commitment to the community. Since it is a SENIOR award, that would account for not leaving school early for the pro's.

You were correct with "graduate" as well as deplete eligibility. I know from talking with them over the summer that Chad, Scott, and Thomas are on track to graduate in December. I've not asked David or his parents, but I hope he is also.

I heard that Alfred practiced today. That doesn't seem consistent with a bone contusion.

I believe All-American is more than just on field performance. In my opinion we have a team full of All Americans. Upperclassmen likely have the edge because they've had a larger body of work on and off the field. Congratulations to Scott and Chad on all of their accomplishments.

Yes, it was a very interesting (to say the least) ending. I'm sure MLS will be looking at how the officials handled (mishandled?) that one.

I think any of our 4 seniors are deserving. Scott and Chad probably have the highest GPAs, but I don't know that for certain, and I don't know enough about all of their off field activities. I am certain that the Zips will be more than well-represented. We have 4 awesome seniors! EDIT: And, I could never adequately thank them for the commitment and pride they bring to us.

Definitely worth re-posting.

http://anthonyampaipitakwong.wordpress.com/

I've also been told that the policy is posted at the gates. I didn't notice Wednesday night, but it doesn't matter to me. I've only ever left at the half to use the restrooms at the Student Union.

My understanding from the Zips' ticket office is that there is a NO re-entry policy for soccer games this season since the restrooms are complete. I never noticed if the policy is posted at the gates, but it should be since it is a significant change.

I don't think any real judgements can be made on Souders, Fives, Serna, Foldesy, Koroma, Morris from 1 match (actually portions of 1 match). Observances on how they played in that match, yes, but not judgements of their abilities overall.

Definitely not as you can see here. Perhaps the duress of defending against Saad.

Saad vs Kayvon in high school (Gahanna Lincoln defeats St. Ignatius, November 13, 2009) St. Ignatius' Kayvon Afsarifard, right, defends on Gahanna Lincoln's Saad Abdul-Salaam. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)

I don't know the re-entry policy, but there are plenty of restrooms now. Both men's and both women's restrooms are open. They were all open for much of last season, but re-entry was still allowed.

My understanding is that he has been around for sometime now. He played in the Spring, and I believe I saw him around last Fall. I don't know why he wasn't eligible before Spring 2012 or exactly how long he has been around.

Passing, especially in the first half, was not as crisp as that to which we've grown accustomed. The Zips seemed to lose the ball often and not win it back as quickly as they need to. Many of the corner kicks were either too long or too short. David Meves made 2 great saves in the first half. There was one defensive breakdown in the 2nd half that I remember where the ball went wide to the right of the goal and could have led to a draw. Wil Trapp and Robbie Derschang saw no action. Caleb Porter made more substitutions than we've seen in the past. My takeaway is that I didn't see anything I wouldn't have expected in a first exhibition match which included numerous new players. From the squads I saw in practice a week ago, all of the players on the pitch last night hadn't played together as a unit in practice. They're getting used to the system and each other. I'm a little concerned that the season is just beginning, and players are already "banged up". As was mentioned on GoZips.com, Wil and Robbie were held out due to injuries that, although not serious, could be nagging. Hopefully, they rest and are able to fully recover prior to the season's start. I'll say I see a lot of depth on this team. A lot of talented players who just need to learn to effectively combine their talent in Caleb's system.