Zip_ME87

Really? I hadn't noticed. Better get that homework done, though. Big game at the JAR tonight, and I'm sure I'll see you there as always. (Now, I've really hi-jacked this thread.)

Thanks for the answer about Mayer's status for Spring matches...makes sense. In response about Caleb's availability for Spring, my understanding is that the current plan has the Spring games scheduled in April with the first one tentatively on April 6th. I believe the final CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying game is April 2nd at Livestrong Sporting Park in KC. If the U23 MNT qualifies for the Olympics (and I hope they do), I'm unsure of Caleb's schedule; however, I'm hopeful with all Spring matches in April on the 6th and after, he will be with the Zips and then return to the Olympics prep afterward.

Thanks for that info. Given that David Mayer is still around this semester, would he play for us in the Spring? Also, is Matt Dagilis still on campus taking graduate classes this semester, or did he leave UA altogether now? If he's still around, I'd think he could play in the Spring even though his eligibility for the "competition season" is gone. Speaking of Matt, I'd sure like to have another opportunity to thank him again for his time at UA.

It's probably just one game. I would consider it "up there" since it's north of Akron, but that's all relative. I thought perhaps it might be like Xenia last year or the Spring "College Cup" in Michigan the last 2 years. I think playing in Geneva has to do with the facilities built there by this organization: http://www.spireinstitute.org/

Definitely pumped and ready for the 2012 Mens Soccer Season! Heck, I'm looking forward to Spring games. I hear that our entire Spring schedule will be in Ohio if it pans out as planned. 3 home games, possibly a game or so in Geneva, OH, and the fathest away in Cincy (Xavier).

That's great. Steve is awesome. Thanks for posting.

This is the best I can find for Koroma NLI: http://www.dallasjuventus.com/news.aspx

I disagree. Darren Mattocks was a "late" addition...more, please.

I read similar accounts in Steve's blog, but thanks for posting this. I'm hoping somehow, some way, Steve will be able to be on the field by May 23rd. I don't know how I'm going to get a ticket, but I arrive in Seattle that day to begin an Alaska cruise on the 25th. The Sounders just happen to be home to play the Columbus Crew on the night of May 23rd. Even if Steve isn't playing, I don't want to pass up the opportunity to experience a Sounders home game.

Ted Curtis hasn't retired to my knowledge. He was sitting behind the Akron bench at the Toledo game Wednesday night. I also saw him in the audeince on the video of the Tressel press conference today.

Interesting Chase Blackburn article, NY Post today http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/supe...6JbeaTmLD3PyaRI

+1

Here we go again. Whoa is me, Northeast Ohio sports. Winning has to begin somewhere. We've finally hired a head football coach who knows the game and brings a winning tradition with him. Be optimistic. Jump on the "bandwagon" and help him out. Yeah, it could possibly be a slow start given from where he has to build, but I believe he'll do it and we'll all be discussing how to get to Mobile or Boise in the near future. Stop dissing our soccer success when someone brings it up. Even if you don't like the game, you have to respect Coach Porter for the attitude that he brought to Akron...It CAN be done at Akron. This is Akron. We Akron alumni and long-time fans need to give up the apathy/pessimism and do our part and be proud like Caleb Porter, Keith Dambrot, Dr. Proenza, Terry Bowden, ... GO ZIPS!

Good summary...I agree.

"All the coaches are great people," Pratt said. "I definitely think they know what they are doing and they are going to turn around the program. I want to be part of that turnaround." "After I made my highlight tape, I sent it out and Akron got back to me," Pratt said. "I visited last weekend and pretty much fell in love with the place. With all the facilities and everything, you can't get much better than that. I went and watched Akron beat K.e.n.t State [in a men's basketball game], which was a lot of fun." Nice

Try http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7505578 (I see the "Heisman pose" Zippy bobblehead in front of Golic's laptop. EDIT: At about 00:06, I see the other Zippy to "Greeney's far right".)

Probably an error, like misspelling Souders.

I guess this is all personal taste, but I don't like the dark grey. I actually prefer the light grey the Zips chose this season. However, I'd like to see a similarly lightened gold version (not yellow...I hate that).

Did you notice they have Andrew Souders listed as Andrew Sounders?

In typical, UA Athletic Dept fashion, the parking information is not clear. The term "general lot" is nowhere to be found on the Football Gameday Central parking map. If they're referring to the $5 public parking lots, then why don't they use that reference or change the parking map to use the "general lot" term?

US U23s in Costa Rica Jurgen Klinsmann talks to the U23s in Carson

I like that uniform that McClanahan is wearing. Didn't the Zips wear those for the FAMU game? I'd think a "light" gold version would make a nice alternate uniform rather than the "silver" or gray.

I'm with you. Did you see that Teal played for both the U23s (1st half) and the USMNT (2nd half) in a 1-1 scrimmage draw yesterday (January 17, 2012)? U23s hold senior team to 1-1 draw Edit: Another article on USSoccer.com prior to the first scrimmage with the senior team. Caleb Porter Pursues Continuity Within U.S. U-23 MNT Field Edit 2: Listening to Porter in that interview following the 1-1 draw with the USMNT, I realize Caleb's coaching the U23s is not only awesome from the perspective of the additional prestige it brings to our Head Coach and UA in the "soccer world", but also from the perspective of the learning experience it provides our head coach to work with Jurgen and the other coaches in the US Soccer system.

Although I agree with much of your sentiment, if I don't support the Crew, then I don't have close access to our professional Zips Soccer players. Also, the Crew Academy has provided us Chad Barson, Thomas Schmitt, Eric Stevenson, Will Trapp, and Ben Speas. (I apologize if I left anyone out.) EDIT: To keep this on topic, I hope Luke gets an invite to try out for an MLS club. I wish the Crew would give him a chance.

The Crew's colors don't go over too well with a lot of fans in Ohio, either. I attend matches at Crew Stadium for the sole purpose of supporting our former Zips. I've always cheered against the Crew in the past since they had no players with connections to Akron. With Ben on the team, that changes somewhat. I will still continue my support of the professional, former Akron players. My support depends upon who is on the pitch.