Zip_ME87

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

Sweet goals for Teal and win for SKC. Nice interview following the game...Teal is very well spoken as well as being a great player. Go SKC!Edit: Hope to see Teal and Coach Porter reunited for the U23's.

It's great that we've come to expect so much from our Men's Soccer Team, as we should. But, I'm with Crew8 and Blue&Gold. We've been spoiled by our 2009 and 2010 teams. Hopefully, this team will improve to that caliber over the next 1 to 2 seasons. However, as far as this season, we have to deal with the adversity, support this team, and do all we can to help them dig deep over the next 6 weeks to find a way to get it done. GO ZIPS!

I agree OT with the momentum and at home. S T U P I D decision!

Wow, big upset. Thanks!

Do you really think much thought went into this. It's another ill-conceived plan in a great country that's lost its way.

I think it was literally less than 10 minutes in the Spring. I remember him as very unimpressive, contrary to his long list of credentials.Does anyone know the real story on Diego Navarette?I don't know the real story on his leaving, but for those of us who followed the Zips on the road, Diego played quite a bit more than 10 minutes for us in the Spring.Did you see any quality?Actually, I did. He had some speed and some good moves, but in the Spring games the team looked like they hadn't played much time together as a whole, which was the case. I was very surprised when Diego transferred. But, he may not have fit into the system, or he may not have felt comfortable at Akron. It doesn't really matter why he transferred; as with anyone, I wish him success.

I think it was literally less than 10 minutes in the Spring. I remember him as very unimpressive, contrary to his long list of credentials.Does anyone know the real story on Diego Navarette?I don't know the real story on his leaving, but for those of us who followed the Zips on the road, Diego played quite a bit more than 10 minutes for us in the Spring.

Thanks Zip_ME87, sounds like CONCACAF qualification will be located in Nashville. This is fantastic. Road trip.I was thinking the same thing, but I may be traveling for work in that timeframe.

Rumor has it some of these were present vs. BGSU.Is that true?I heard that Michael Nanchoff and Chris Korb were at the BG game last night. Unfortunately, I didn't see them myself.

Great interview on WEWS with Coach Porter as posted in the GoZips.com article. Of note, Caleb mentioned Zarek Valentin, Perry Kitchen (who have U20 experience) and Teal Bunbury (USMNT full team experience) as being in consideration for the U23 player pool.

I don't think we have to worry about MLS at this point. I trust that Caleb would recognize that adding a completely new job at this time is probably not a good recipe for success. He's established at Akron, and it takes a lot of hard work to keep the Zips successful. But, he already has the template in place for making the Zips successful...although it's a grind, it's a grind he knows and only requires tweaking. He's just picked up a great job that's added new challenges and pressure. I just can't see him taking on any more at this time.

Thanks Yaznasty.

thats an interesting point as we all know that attendance lags when the weather is crappy...HOWEVER.... we had a pretty large crowd during the playoff game against Cal last year...From what I remember, the only bad weather last season was during the Cal game. For some reason, although bad weather was predicted for a number of games, it always cleared up or held off for the 3+ hours (warm ups through end of game) for our Men's Soccer team. I guess it was a sign of destiny. And, of course, weather probably didn't keep many away from the Elite 8 game vs. Cal.

I'm pretty sure only the use of 3 older players can be used in the final competition or Olympics and not qualifying matchesThanks Crew8...that's what I think.

I don't quite look at it that way, but you can if you want to.

The names Caleb mentioned were Brek Shea, Jozy Altidore, etc., who are already in the US Soccer player pool and eligible for the U-23 team. He could not mention others whom they (Jurgen Klinsman, Caleb, etc.) are considering, but are not already in the pool. And, no he didn't mention Teal Bunbury by name. I know Teal was included in Klinsman's last player call up but am uncertain of Teal's status in the player pool given that he saw no action in any of the recent friendlies nor did I see him listed as a "substitute not used".

OMG. This is horrible. I hadn't heard any of this until I just now read this thread. I wonder why he chose Infocision Stadium...was it a good place for him?

It wasn't an interview. It was a Q&A session with Zips fans who had football tickets for the Ohio game and was held in the East stands of First Energy Field at 2 pm (just prior to the Men's Soccer team signing autographs at the football.) I think fans might have been confused because the players signed autographs inside Inforcision Stadium while the Q&A was at First Energy Stadium. I was confused when I first read it on GoZips.com.At any rate, it was not recorded. It turned out to be Caleb and about 10 - 20 Zips fans...very informal even though Caleb was looking quite dapper in a suit and tie. I really appreciate his taking the time to do this, especially operating on 3 hours sleep. I'll re-iterate RootforRoo's sentiment that Caleb is a class act and a genuinely good man.

He explained how the U-23 MNT works and that he can have 3 older players [EDIT: if they qualify for the Olympics, I think. I should have asked if that meant the 3 older players could play in the qualifying matches.]. I asked if he expected to have any former Zips like Kitchen and Bunbury in the pool. He responded that he couldn't talk specifics, but he expected to have 4 - 5 Zips. [Please note the specific words I used, I asked "in the player pool"...which means they will compete to play on the U-23 MNT.]