Zip_ME87

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."

We moved up to #6 in the Coaches' poll.

I don't think anyone can predict NCAA Tourney matchups, especially at this time. The sure thing, as I believe someone else mentioned in a different thread, would be for you to make the 2.5 hour (?) drive this Sunday down to Boca Raton. The defending National Champion Zips are at Florida Atlantic U. at 2 pm on this Sunday (Nov 6th). I'm uncertain of the exact drive time, but the game time is such that you can do it roundtrip in a day.

I don't necessarily think they would need to, as they would be able to sign as homegrown players with Columbus and New England, respectively. Don't quote me on this because I'm not exactly sure how it works but I think because they played for those teams' academies they could sign directly with them. Let's just hope that whether or not that is a path they can take, that they chose to stay for their senior year. Although Mattocks is arguably our most important player right now, if we were to only have to really replace him next year, I think it could be a very successful year.I do not claim to fully understand the GenAd deal, and I understand even less how the MLS academies sign “homegrown” players. I have researched both and I am more confused now than ever. I would love to get my hands on the actual contracts. Suffice it to say that the GenAd contract is a much better, air tight, deal for an underclassman.Any experts out there?I wouldn't call myself an expert, but as I understand it, the GenAd contract is the better deal. Usually, the pay is higher, plus the player has a guaranteed stipend to return to college and finish his degree at a later date, if he so chooses.

I don't necessarily think they would need to, as they would be able to sign as homegrown players with Columbus and New England, respectively. Don't quote me on this because I'm not exactly sure how it works but I think because they played for those teams' academies they could sign directly with them. Let's just hope that whether or not that is a path they can take, that they chose to stay for their senior year. Although Mattocks is arguably our most important player right now, if we were to only have to really replace him next year, I think it could be a very successful year.I believe you are correct about the "homegrown player" rule and signing directly with the teams for whose academies they have played. However, I'm not sure I agree with fknbuflobo's assertion that neither Caldwell nor Barson could get a Generation Adidas contract at this point. Barson, for instance, has proven himself time and again with major game-saving stops in front of the goal and being named a team "linchpin" (by Top Drawer, I think it was) keeps his name in view.

Thanks for getting the thread back on track. NOT being there, I'd like to know what happened on the field rather than in the stands. What was the tactical departure, Bisbee? What do you think is causing the changes?I didn't see the change in tactics to which Bisbee is referring. I'd like to understand it as I admit that I don't have the understanding of the game that others have. ***edit...DeAndre didn't start (only played in the 2nd OT, if I remember correctly)***...so, yes there was a change of personnel. In the OT, I believe that Holmes, Schmitt, and Mattocks were all on the field at one time...that made sense that we were trying to score the "golden goal". As far as Dagilis playing defense...yes there was a mix up between him and the other defenders that led to the first WF goal. However, I wouldn't put that all on Matt; it was a defensive mix up. Also, Matt wasn't on the field at UCSB or Michigan, and our defense gave up the "golden goal" in both of those games. In this game, both Dagilis and Barson had outstanding saves in front of our goal (while Meves was on the ground) preventing an additional WF goal. It's a team effort, and the bar was set high by the teams we had in 2009 and 2010. I didn't really see anything in this game that I haven't seen in other games this year that would cause me to say we lost because of specific players either being on the field or others not being on the field.

It's funny that you chose to resurrect this thread, and Teal went on to score the second goal...premonition? Teal scores first goal of match vs ColoradoBunbury's PK Edit: BTW, for anyone who didn't see the game, Teal was taken down in the box and took his own PK.Summary on mlssoccer.com