Zip_ME87

I wonder if they did this because, when they called me about a week ago asking me to buy tickets next season, I explained that I only go to Crew games to see former Akron players who play on other MLS teams. I told them if they ever pick up some of their academy players who play for the Zips (I mentioned a few names), I would be more interested. (Hmmmm, what a coincidence.)

I'm so proud of our team for playing the way they did tonight, especially with that center ref who was watching some other game. GO ZIPS!

Great job! I love it, and I know that Coach Porter would, too. He told me after the watch party that we need to "rally this community!" GO ZIPS!

No, it definitely was Chad Barson who stopped the shot. As the article says, and was first told to me by Chad's father, Horton, who took the shot, is Chad's close friend.

EDIT: updated link http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/artic...cKnight-Sr-dies

Yes, the pre-printed/sold tickets labeled Second Round and dated 11/20/2011 are the tickets to be used tomorrow, at least as far as the season ticket holders who purchased their seats for post-season.

This e-mail was sent out from Akron Mens Soccer today: Zips Nation - First of all, let me say “thanks” for standing by us through thick and thin this season. If other programs were 13-3-4 it would be a revelation but at Akron this isn’t good enough. I know you have felt this misery with our most recent results and I want to apologize for not bringing home our 5th straight MAC tournament championship. Our standards are very high and anything less than winning every game certainly will not be acceptable. At the same time our #1 goal every year is to win the National Championship. It would be easy to focus on what we did not win or achieve this season but what’s most important is to realize this new group the 2011 zips have stayed the course and found a way to put themselves in position to win the national championship. There are 203 Division 1 programs and for 155 teams their season is over. We have earned the right to play for the national championship as one of the 48 teams in the ncaa tournament. Our road certainly won’t be easy but this team has proven we are still capable of beating anyone in the country. Our postseason mission ending with a shot at the title in Hoover, Alabama begins on Thursday when we face the Northwestern Wildcats. We need your help! This is a crucial game and a win would put us in the round of 32. This is the only guaranteed home game we have and it could be the last opportunity for everyone on campus to help push this team to the national championship. To be completely blunt we aren’t the same team at home without the your support. The main reason we have been nearly unstoppable at home in the past is because of you. One of the reasons we won the national championship last season was because of your support. We could not have done it without your energy and spirit at the games. The reality is this year’s teams needs your support, loyalty and commitment more than ever. You are the 12th man during games. You fuel us when times are tough. You give us life and we need everyone to step up. We need to rally this campus and community on Thursday. The coaches are going to step up, the players are going to step up, the administration has stepped up and purchased 1500 tickets to give away at the game. But we need the zipsnation to step up too! We need your best on Thursday to win. We need your passion and energy and fight! I’m not sure you realize how special you are to our program and players. We have worked too hard to build something special to let it slip. Just like our players and the 2011 team is leaving their legacy. So are you….what do you want to be known for? Last year’s supporters can say they were a part of winning a national championship. They did their part and so did the team. This year our team has not done their part in every game and because of that you have maybe not had a reason to do yours. But, we have 1 home game left to go out with a bang. To leave a lasting impression on everyone on campus and in the community. We will do our part and we need you to do yours. When we both take care of business it will be a sweet moment when we celebrate singing the “I believe” song after the game. I will be right there with you! To reward you for your loyalty I will be purchasing pizza for everyone out of my own pocket to give you at the “march to the match” prior to the game. If you attend you will get pizza and a free ticket if you’re one of the first 1500. I’m asking for your help for 1 more game. I want to thank you in advance for helping us win on Thursday…so please show up, step up and speak up for the game on Thursday! Be loud, and be proud! Lastly, in 2008 we were sent on the road to play Northwestern and lost 1-0 in the ncaa tournament. That game should have been at home but the weather forced us to Northwestern. It’s no coincidence that 3 years later in spite of winning the Big Ten regular season and conference tournament championships the NCAA committee sent them to play us on our home field. Some might call this Karma---let’s just say everything happens for a reasonJ Check out this splash page. The video will get you pumped up for the match! http://www.gozips.com/splash/index Your Coach and Friend, Caleb Caleb Porter Head Coach AKRON SOCCER “We have to be bold, I want us to go out and do things, not sit and wait for them to happen. We need to be brave and to go out and look to play, because that is one of the reasons why we have been so successful.” FC Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola

Excellent. Thanks!

I'm so sorry to read this. Phil was awesome! I first met him in line to get into the arena in Portland in 2009 and talked with him at every home game after that. I also fondly remember that BG game TheHipZip mentioned. Absolutely a great guy.

Well-deserved by Darlington! I never erased that game from my DVR.

I'm sorry if I misunderstood what you guys were saying (understandable, given the title of this thread). I have no problem with asking a coach where he thinks he might have erred. No one is perfect, and it would be interesting to hear Coach Porter's hindsight. I just wouldn't ask at this time because it could be easily taken as finger-pointing and more of a distraction than a help. I'm sure he's asking questions of himself and his assistants in trying to figure out the best way forward.

I agree about it being on the players. Caleb can do a lot of things, but he can't step onto the pitch and play for these guys. Folks have complained that he's made changes in the line up. Don't you think he's looking for the right strings to pull. It's easy to sit back here and second guess. I'm sure he's second guessed himself as well, but it all comes down to the players executing. I don't recall the Zips being blown out in any game this season. Just one or 2 things falling into place in any of our ties or losses and the game goes our way. Since I've never led a college team to a national championship nor have I been selected to lead my country's soccer team in qualifying for the Olympics, I think I'll be supportive of our Mens Soccer Head Coach, go to the game and cheer for him and our players rather than disputing his decisions.

Cool video...thanks. One question came to mind whil watching it. How mny MAC schools play soccer on their football feild?? Buffalo for sure....any others?? If the MAC wants to elevate it's stature....soccer only stadiums would be a must IMO. EDIT: Soccer only stadiums - Akron, BGSU, FAU, W. Michigan Football Stadium - Buffalo Track stadium - N. Illinois, Hartwick

Don't let anyone talk you out of your thoughts and into catching the northeast Ohio syndrome, Bisbee. We're so used to losing around here and so scared of it, most of us don't know how to support by talking about the positives in the face of some adversity. It's easier to talk about the negatives and then be pleasantly surprised when something positive happens. The Zips are going to defeat the Wildcats at home and move on to play SMU in Ampai's backyard. GO ZIPS! From your mouth to God's ears! Whatever. This team has the ability; we've all seen it. I'm just putting my faith in them...that they will get it done. GO ZIPS!

Don't let anyone talk you out of your thoughts and into catching the northeast Ohio syndrome, Bisbee. We're so used to losing around here and so scared of it, most of us don't know how to support by talking about the positives in the face of some adversity. It's easier to talk about the negatives and then be pleasantly surprised when something positive happens. The Zips are going to defeat the Wildcats at home and move on to play SMU in Ampai's backyard. GO ZIPS!

Yes. Wrong title. Wrong prediction.

2008 actually. Steve Zakuani's last season with the Zips.

UNC now up 3-1. Speas just came on and scored with his first touch. They said it was his second of the game, so two goals and an assist for Speas in this game so far?? Wow. Ben Speas won ACC Tournament MVP Award That really hurts! What does Akron lack the most right now? Offense. Zips sure could have used Speas around here lately. Perhaps I am alone, but I am still having a tough time letting this one go. You're not alone. I was very upset when I first heard he was leaving, and the whole thing still bugs me. I always felt he could have been very good here had Porter given him more playing time. I'm with you. I hated losing Ben, but I watched the UNC-BC game yesterday and was very happy for him. The announcers were mentioning him over and over throughout. I don't fault him at all for wanting more playing time so that he would get noticed by the pros. I could be a Crew fan if they pick him up.

We played and beat Indiana at home last year 2-1 in the third round of the College Cup. Goes to show what a newbie knows bisbee, since you are clearly among those of us who still believe, a little additional history... in 1986, an unseeded Akron Zips Mens Soccer Team went all the way to the College Cup in Tacoma, Washington and brought home the runner up trophy. GO ZIPS!

Thanks. I wondered why Teal wasn't listed in either U23 friendly.

One U23 team, including Perry Kitchen tied in a friendly Another U23 team, with Zarek Valentin, won 3-1 in a friendly

We played and beat Indiana at home last year 2-1 in the third round of the College Cup. The Zips also played and defeated Indiana 2 years ago (2009) at home on a Friday night...the first year Infocision Stadium opened because we played Indiana in Football the next day.

I hope we're right about getting an at-large bid. If I remember correctly, there are 22 or 24 automatic qualifiers, conference tournament winners, who get in regardless of RPI. So, saying that the top 40 in RPI get in isn't correct. Some of those AQ teams will have the "RPI credentials" as well as the AQ, others will not.

I'm with you, Bisbee. I'm not giving up on my team. GO ZIPS! (BTW, I'm sorry I haven't met you yet.)

And, here it is:Teal Bunbury and Luis Gil Added to U-23 Men's National Team Roster