Zip_ME87

Look, TW is RI's friend; that's the reason we're in this mess in the first place. Therefore, I would believe that RI was likely consulted as to what he would prefer. You just don't crap on someone when they're already down. A week makes no difference to us, but it might to RI.

I agree with being respectful. Firing him now vs after Friday really doesn't make a difference.

Montreal is closer to Lancaster, PA than Los Angeles. I think Zarek liked LA, but I think this is good for him to get away from Chivas. I hope Continental/United continue their weekend specials from Cleveland next year. I'd love to see our 3 Zips in Montreal. And -- you save on air fare flying to LA to not see the ex-Zips in action! Sorry about that -- couldn't resist. So true...no offense taken!

Montreal is closer to Lancaster, PA than Los Angeles. I think Zarek liked LA, but I think this is good for him to get away from Chivas. I hope Continental/United continue their weekend specials from Cleveland next year. I'd love to see our 3 Zips in Montreal.

Thanks for the article on Generation Adidas Yaznasty! +1, Many thanks Yaznasty.

Where's Urban Meyer and Jim Tressel? Shouldn't they be on the list?

Cool. I love rumors that more rumors are coming.

If true, wouldn't they want Tom Wistrcill gone as well since they're paying for his HUGE mistake? Who knows? Rumors on top of rumors...just as likely that nothing is true. We'll see.

You're giving TW too much credit. Caleb Porter, Keith Dambrot, Jodi Kest, ... , almost every other coach besides RI was at UA before TW. I give TW credit for not mucking up success in other sports by over-emphasizing football like was done when Bob Huggins was the Zips Mens Basketball coach, but that's really about all I can give him. BTW, as far as the money, I've heard rumors of someone possibly donating to buy out RI. I have no idea if those rumors are true or if footballscoop.com is correct. However, if both are true, the university may not be on the hook for the amount with which we're all concerned.

My thoughts as well. I was surprised by the phrase "released from contract". That seems to contradict what I have heard round here that R.I. will continue to get paid even if he doesn't coach. "Released" is the same word I remember being used with JD, and the University had to pay him for the remaining time on the contract.

Thanks Yaznasty. I gathered as much when I read that Perry Kitchen had "graduated" from GA. I hadn't realized previously that it worked that way. So, the stipend to return to college is only there if you don't make it as a pro player?

I'm just happy that someone got a bus...our team deserves as much support as any of us can give them. GO ZIPS!

Thanks. That helps. I obviously need to do more reading on Generation Adidas to understand it better.

Thanks. I just read that. (It does help if you read first.) Korb is not GA. I didn't see Nagbe on the protected list. I wonder about Valentin being on the unprotected list then...He's GA, and not graduated. Now that I think about it more, the list is definitely inconsistent... Zakuani (2009 draft), Bunbury (2010 draft), Kitchen (2011 draft) - all fit the GA exception, but are listed as protected Gavin (2010 draft), Valentin (2011 draft) - fit the GA exception, but are listed as unprotected Nagbe, Sarkodie, Nachoff (2011 draft) - fit the GA exception, but aren't listed Korb, Ampai (2011 draft) - no GA exception, listed as protected, unprotected I believe a GA contract is for 5 years.

I saw this too, I think I am most surprised by Zarek not being protected. He played a lot of minutes for Chivas and him being picked up by Montreal could definitely happen. Hmmm being a member of the "other" LA team versus playing in a unique, multi-cultural city for a rabid fan base with several UA teammates to boot. And weather is not a huge factor, given the MLS summer season. If I were Zarek or Blair, I know I wouldn't be too disappointed to be selected. The Impact were already going to be my favorite MLS team. This just makes it even better for me While I'm surprised and disappointed that at least Zarek wasn't protected, I'm with you JohnnyZip that Montreal would be a great place to be. For me, I love the idea of a Continental (United) weekend special from Cleveland to Montreal to catch a game. Passport ready! Question - Does anyone know why Kofi, Darlington, and Michael Nanchoff don't show up as protected or unprotected? Also, very cool that Chris Korb is protected by DC. That makes me feel really good about telling him before the draft that I was confident he would be drafted. I knew he was nervous about it. Go Zips! They're still under generation adidas "Generation adidas players who have not graduated by the end of 2011 and Home Grown players are automatically protected." which makes me wonder why Korb, Nagbe, Bunbury, and Kitchen are on the protected list?? Are they no longer Generation Adidas? Thanks. I just read that. (It does help if you read first.) Korb is not GA. I didn't see Nagbe on the protected list. I wonder about Valentin being on the unprotected list then...He's GA, and not graduated.

I saw this too, I think I am most surprised by Zarek not being protected. He played a lot of minutes for Chivas and him being picked up by Montreal could definitely happen. Hmmm being a member of the "other" LA team versus playing in a unique, multi-cultural city for a rabid fan base with several UA teammates to boot. And weather is not a huge factor, given the MLS summer season. If I were Zarek or Blair, I know I wouldn't be too disappointed to be selected. The Impact were already going to be my favorite MLS team. This just makes it even better for me While I'm surprised and disappointed that at least Zarek wasn't protected, I'm with you JohnnyZip that Montreal would be a great place to be. For me, I love the idea of a Continental (United) weekend special from Cleveland to Montreal to catch a game. Passport ready! Question - Does anyone know why Kofi, Darlington, and Michael Nanchoff don't show up as protected or unprotected? Also, very cool that Chris Korb is protected by DC. That makes me feel really good about telling him before the draft that I was confident he would be drafted. I knew he was nervous about it. Go Zips!

I'd like this game to be in Akron as much as anyone else, but they had the higher RPI and appear to have a nice facility from looking at their website. If we were the higher RPI team, and the game was taken from us (when has that ever happened?!), we would be furious. As some have already stated, it's only a 7.5 hour drive; it's more difficult than watching at home, but not impossible. This team deserves our support; if we can possibly be there, we should be. Last night in Dallas was sweet. Let's do it again in Charlotte. GO ZIPS!

That had to be my flag, all 6 of them made the trip to Texas without me. Fantastic turnout at the Barley House tonight 30+ at most at one time. Not bad for a late notice. Thanks to everyone who were there. If the next match is in Charlotte, I hope the University promotes a watch party. If two bums can bring out 30+ the day before in mid afternoon, imagine if the University would promote a 3rd round watch party. That was your flag, Crew8. Thanks for sending them, and KUDOS to the 4 Rowdies who drove 19 hours one-way to support their team. It was also great to see the Ampaipitakwongs at the game even though Ampai was back here in Akron. I knew it would be fun to face SMU in Ampai's "backyard" (so to speak)...SMU is only about 15 minutes south of Carrollton, TX according to Ampai's parents.

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