Zip_ME87

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

And TW for not making a serious hire

I don't know where you were, but I was at the Ohio State game, and the OSUMB did indeed play the Akron "Blue and Gold" in Ohio Stadium; they also played it at PRACTICE during the Skull Session in St John Arena 2 hours before game time. There is nothing wrong with the Zips band playing the Can't fight song, no matter how repulsive it is, during practice and as is tradition during the pre-game.BTW, why rag on the band. Those poor folks are tortured every home game having to endure every minute of the worst football ever. I thought cruel and unusual punishment was unconstitutional.

no Bunbury? interestingNote this in the article: "Porter plans to have additional domestic camps early next year as the U-23 Men prepare for 2012 Olympic qualifying beginning in March. "I believe that Teal can still be invited to these additional camps even though he wasn't invited to this first one in Germany (which probably is due to the conflict with the MLS playoffs).

Perry Kitchen and Ethan White called-up to U.S. U-23 Men’s National TeamD.C. United announced today that defenders Perry Kitchen and Ethan White have been called-up by the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team to attend a training camp in Duisburg, Germany at sporting school Sportsschule Wedau. United players will join the U.S. Soccer Federation from November 7-16. The D.C. United defenders join a roster of 29 other players chosen by newly-appointed U-23 Head Coach Caleb Porter. The U-23 camp is taking place at the same time the full Men’s National Team will be gathered in France and Slovenia. The United States’ senior team will take on France at Stade de France on November 11, followed by a subsequent friendly in Slovenia on November 15. Both Kitchen and White have previous international experience. Kitchen featured prominently for the U.S. U-20 National Team in 2011, starting three matches and registering 270 minutes of action to help the team reach the CONCACAF U-20 Championship Quarterfinals. The young defensive midfielder was also the captain of the U.S. U-17 National Team residency program and competed in the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria. Kitchen was selected by D.C. United in the first round (third overall) during the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011. The former University of Akron player participated in 31 matches (30 starts) for United during his rookie campaign, registering one goal. Kitchen became the first rookie in United’s 16-year history to lead the team in minutes played (2,726) during the 2011 season. U.S. Soccer recently named Caleb Porter the Head Coach of the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team. Porter will coach Kitchen once again, as the two worked together to help Akron claim the 2010 NCAA Championship. Ethan White is currently part of the U.S. Youth National Team player pool. In 2010, he was called-up to Thomas Rongen’s U.S. U-20 side to participate in the prestigious Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, in which the U.S. lifted the trophy after defeating the host nation.A graduate of D.C. United’s Youth Academy, White signed with the first team on December 14, 2010. The young center back played a major role in United’s defense during his first MLS season, playing 24 matches (21 starts) and tallying one goal in 1,928 minutes of action. Prior to signing with United, White started 20 matches to help the University of Maryland reach the NCAA Tournament in 2010.

Zarek Gets U-23 Call CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, November 3, 2011) - When he heard he was called up to next week’s U-23 U.S. National Team Camp, Zarek Valentin’s first reaction was not to celebrate, but to keep working. He got a few weeks notice, and he has spent them working hard to make sure he’s ready. The camp, which runs from November 7-16th in Duisburg Germany, is an exciting opportunity for the Chivas USA rookie defender.“Obviously it’s an honor,” said Valentin. “You work really hard, both in MLS and for me with the U-20s, to potentially get a look. Being one of the younger guys in the age group, you just want to get a shot. And now that I got that shot, I have to take it the best I can. I think I have a pretty good chance.”The camp is the first opportunity for players to get evaluated as a group, trying to make an impression on the coaching staff in advance of next spring’s Olympic qualifying, and potentially, the 2012 Olympic Games in London next August.The twenty-year old Valentin has a total of 29 caps with the U.S. U-20 National Team, and has spent time with the players from the older age group, but this will be his first time officially with the U-23’s.“I’m familiar with the guys and a couple of them are good friends,” said Valentin. “I’ll be comfortable”Beyond the opportunity on the field, the trip is also a chance for Valentin to see a new part of the world.“Germany, France and Italy are three European countries I really want to go to, so I’m checking one off the list,” he said. “I think we’ll have maybe a day or two off. We’ll definitely go see what’s around us a little bit. It’ll be good to go check out [the cities] and soak up the atmosphere.”When his former University of Akron coach Caleb Porter was named head coach of the U-23’s last month, Valentin was very excited. “He’ll be great for it,” said Valentin. “Obviously it doesn’t guarantee anything by any means for me- just because I’ve played for him before - but it gives me a certain comfort factor. I’m excited, and more than anything I think he’s excited to get a new challenge and really excel. He’s a great coach and I’m expecting great things for the age group in general.”If everything goes according to plan, one of those great things could be the 2012 Olympics. “It would be an absolute dream come true,” said Valentin of qualifying for the Olympics. “It’s something that I’ve wanted to do as long as I’ve been a soccer player. I know some of the coaching staff who were at the last Olympics in Beijing, and to hear the stories they talk about, and the emotions they felt, it’s something I want to have. My brother [Julian] has talked a lot about what it means to play in World Cups too, he played in two youth World Cups, and I haven’t been able to do anything like that. I’ll do whatever it takes just so I can get there, it would be a once in a lifetime thing.”When reminded that next summer’s Olympics are in England, with the soccer events being held in such venues as Wembley Stadium, St. James’ Park and Old Trafford, Valentin was almost lost for words. Of course, the journey is just beginning next week in Germany. Valentin knows there’s much to be done, both by himself and for the team, before the Olympics become a reality, but you can’t blame the twenty-year old for taking a quick moment to dream.“It would be perfect, it would be unreal,” he said. “I would be playing with a complete smile on my face- if I even played! I want to keep everything in perspective, this is just the first camp now, but it would be an incredible journey.”

Thanks for the link, Yaznasty. I agree with you about preferring Perry in the midfield. There may be center back options not mentioned by Bleacher Report, either in MLS or US players in Europe.

Thanks for the link. Nice article, even mentioned Caleb as I suspected from the title:In addition to that, the recent hire of Bunbury's college coach, Akron's Caleb Porter, as the U.S. Under-23 coach bodes well for his chances of making the Olympic team. Although it's not as if his prospective presence on the team will come down to his connection to the coaching staff, it certainly can't hurt."I felt like (Porter) deserved it. It's a great opportunity for him," Bunbury said. "It's not that I have a cemented spot. I have to go out there and prove my worth that I want to be on that team and play for my country in the Olympics. I have to keep playing well and getting opportunities."