Zip_ME87

Sporting's Bunbury in Zakuani's corner during recovery

To where is Speas transferring? That's the $Million question. Transferring, or going pro? I just hope he doesn't show up in Cowlumbus, Bloomington, AnnArbor. I'd actually rather see him go to another MAC school -- one we could still beat, but whom would/might have a chance at an at-large berth with an all-America caliber attacking mid. My guess is that he is done with soccer. I bet he does not transfer and that he just finishes school. He is close to his family who lives in the area and he has a girlfriend at Akron who he has been with since early in high school. "In other Crew Academy news, a University of Akron spokesman confirmed that former academy product Ben Speas will transfer and play elsewhere this fall." Source (Scroll down the page, under Horton signing could be first of Crew's many)

I'm glad to read Coach Porter's comments on the changes and totally respect that the details are internal. Best wishes to all of our departing players and many thanks to all of them for coming to Akron.

I thought when UA signed Ben that he was Top Drawer Soccer's #1 in his class. (Edit: I just read ZIP's post which makes more sense given that Ben missed his final year playing at CVCA due to injury.) I hope he left because he found a way into the pro ranks with the Crew (as a homegrown), but I don't know if that's possible at this time. In answer to my own question, it is possible at this time...Horton is Crew's first homegrown player

So, how did Meves look? I believe the Fire got a shutout. Was Meves challenged or did the Fire's defenders keep him out of trouble? Did all of the Zips play? How did they look?

I thought when UA signed Ben that he was Top Drawer Soccer's #1 in his class. (Edit: I just read ZIP's post which makes more sense given that Ben missed his final year playing at CVCA due to injury.) I hope he left because he found a way into the pro ranks with the Crew (as a homegrown), but I don't know if that's possible at this time.

TPIR 5-16-10 ~12:40 mark

I don't think there's an issue with that looking at the remaining roster. It is disconcerting to lose a player with Ben Speas' experience (gozips.com bio below). Also, not noted, Ben was the only sub in the 2010 National Championship win vs Louisville. Best wishes Ben if you happen to read this. as a Sophomore (2010): Appeared in all 25 games, including four starts ... finished with two goals, including the game-winner against Western Michigan (Oct. 23), and three assists ... also found the net in a 2-1 win at Hartwick in the regular-season finale (Nov. 6) ... earned a start in the championship game of the Mid-American Conference Tournament against Western Michigan (Nov. 14) ... recorded an assist in a 4-0 win against the Broncos. as a Freshman (2009): Appeared in all 25 games ... named to College Cup All-Tournament Team ... started 11 contests, including both the NCAA semifinal and final … played all 110 minutes against Virginia in the national championship game (Dec. 13) ... logged 95 minutes against North Carolina in the semifinal (Dec. 11) ... scored his first career goal against Bowling Green (Sept. 26) ... found the net against in a win at Florida Atlantic (Oct. 3) … recorded two assists against Cincinnati (Sept. 13) … added another helper at Michigan (Oct. 20) ... College Soccer News Freshman Top 100 list.

US U-18's named for Lisbon Tournament Edit: US Soccer

I plan to be at Harder Stadium on October 5th as well as at the Home Depot Center on Oct 2nd for Chivas USA vs the Philadelphia Union. Going to the Irvine Tourney doesn't work for me because I want to catch a Goats game while I'm out there to make the trip more worthwhile. The Goats game around the time of the Irvine Tourney would mean I couldn't attend the CSU game at home. I won't give up a Zips home game for a road game (or 2).

U-20 MNT Roster Finalized for Training Camp in Vichy, France May 9, 2011 CHICAGO (May 9, 2011) – The roster for the U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team training camp has been finalized, with 20 players set to travel to Vichy, France, to train from May 15-20 and play two friendlies against the France U-20 MNT on May 17 and May 19. Last week it was confirmed that former U.S. head coach Thomas Rongen’s contract will not be renewed at the end of this year. Tab Ramos, who was an assistant coach during the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in April, will oversee the group during the six-day training camp. He will be joined in France by U.S. Men’s National Team assistant coaches Mike Sorber and Zak Abdel. The team is made up of a combination of U.S. U-20 veterans and newcomers. The most experienced players on the roster include midfielder Dillon Powers, who was limited by an injury during the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, but appeared during the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and Kelyn Rowe, who led the team in scoring in Guatemala with three goals in as many games. Notre Dame’s Powers, UCLA’s Rowe and Duke’s Sebastien Ibeagha, who appeared in two games in Guatemala, are the only three collegians on the roster. Including those three players, there are nine alumni of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy representing the U.S., with Derby County Wolves products Sean Cunningham and Josh Gatt the only two players from the same club. There are six players – Anthony Brooks, Cody Cropper, Sean Cunningham, Luis Gil, Jerome Kiesewetter and Daniel Potts – who were born after Jan. 1, 1993, and are age-eligible for the team’s next cycle that will lead into the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. U.S. U-20 MNT Roster By Position: GOALKEEPERS (2): Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town; Athens, Ga.), Brian Sylvestre (Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Hollywood, Fla.) DEFENDERS (6): Anthony Brooks (Hertha BSC; Berlin, Germany), Sean Cunningham (Molde FK; Troy, Mich.), Sacir Hot (New York Red Bulls; Fair Lawn, N.J.), Sebastien Ibeagha (Duke; Missouri City, Texas), Daniel Potts (West Ham United; London, England), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo; Huber Heights, Ohio) MIDFIELDERS (6): Luis Gil (Real Salt Lake; Garden Grove, Calif.), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United; San Francisco, Calif.), Dillon Powers (Notre Dame; Plano, Texas), Kelyn Rowe (UCLA; Newport Beach, Calif.), Conor Shanosky (D.C. United; Sterling, Va.), Victor Ulloa (FC Dallas: Wylie, Texas) FORWARDS (6): Terrence Boyd (Hertha BSC; Berlin, Germany), Conor Doyle (Derby County FC; McKinney, Texas), Josh Gatt (Molde FK; Plymouth, Mich.), Joe Gyau (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim; Silver Spring, Md.), Jerome Kiesewetter (Hertha BSC; Berlin, Germany), Donny Toia (Real Salt Lake: Tucson, Ariz.), Head Coach: Tab Ramos (Colts Neck, N.J.) Assistant Coach: Mike Sorber (St. Louis, Mo.) Goalkeeper Coach: Zak Abdel (La Verne, Calif.) Strength Coach: Robbie Elliott (Newcastle, England) Team Coordinator: Jon Fleishman (Long Beach, Calif.) Equipment Coordinator: Silvestre Lara (Kansas City, Kan.) Athletic Trainer: John Dunham (Lawrenceville, Ga.) Team Doctor: Dan Romanelli (Las Cruces, N.M.)

Whew! At first, I thought you "spoke to soon"...blOSU won the Men's Volleyball National Championship, but it appears Men's Volleyball doesn't count. Edit: Moderators, can we get a special "moon" emoticon in scarlet and gray?

Nicer football stadium -> better recruits -> better team -> more hype -> higher attendance, etc. This logic didn't work for football. better coach was somehow left out of the equation

Thanks Yaznasty. I hadn't heard of Aodhan Quinn, yet. No disrespect to him or any of our incoming players...I guess I haven't been able to keep up.

Yes...ever since the Spring schedule ended. I see that Matt Dagilis and Kayvon Afsarifard are listed on the Akron Summit Assault roster. Does anyone know where some of out other players may be competing this Summer? Between these development teams and our Professional players in MLS, I'll make it through the rest of Spring and the Summer. I do not want to wish the warmer months away.

I like that there is another Bunbury (now 16) under his father's tutelage...Logan Bunbury. As Coach is quoted in the article..."A lot of kids whose dads were pros have a built-in hunger and drive and standard that has been bred in them over the years," said Akron head coach Caleb Porter. "It's a big reason so many of these kids are successful." EDIT: Logan Bunbury

Michigan has a beautiful tennis complex which also happens to be next to their soccer complex...nice place for another Zips' victory!

According to the San Jose Earthquakes website, the Portland vs San Jose Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in game at JELD-WEN Field will be broadcast on the Earthquakes website tonight at 10:30 pm ET (7:30 pm PT).

Thanks Yaznasty. Much more in that video than I got to see on ONN during the game broadcast.

Awesome. Way to go Ladies! Go Zips!

Wow. Here it is from a Sounders fan's perspective in the crowd: and Steve's reaction on twitter: Experienced the most emotional 1 min of my life today. @soundersfc blew me away w/ this http://bit.ly/jkzxlM Edit - Also on Steve's twitter page: My friends @EriqCharitonov @stevonselects @Davidnmyers took my mum 2 the game. She could only stand 4 a few secs before the tears took over

I was fortunate enough to watch that live on MLS Direct Kick...as the announcer said, it brought goosebumps to see/hear. I only watched the first 25 minutes of the game, but Steve was mentioned numerous times and you could see numerous signs of support throughout Qwest Field. Also, when ONN interviewed Caleb at the Crew halftime after the Zips were recognized, they asked about Steve.

ONN showed the Ziips on the field having their picture taken. Also interviewed Caleb, mentioning the players we have who came through the Crew Youth system and showing a list of our players from MLS development teams. They also asked him about Steve Zakuani, whose Seatlle Sounders happen to be playing in Columbus next weekend. Great recognition and good interview (brief and to the point) with Coach Porter. Go Zips! Edit: I'd love to hear impression of the Zips recognition/crowd response from anyone who was there. Thanks in advance.

At the end of the SKC vs NY Red Bulls game tonight (Red Bulls 1, SKC 0), Teal Bunbury traded jerseys with Juan Agudelo...Teal was wearing an undershirt that clearly said in large letters so all could see and as noted by the broadcasters, "FOR STEVE ZAKUANI"

The Crew will recognize the Akron Zips men's soccer team at halftime Saturday Interesting that the Crew's article fails to mention that Vancouver Whitecaps' midfielder Michael Nanchoff was a member of the 2010 National Champions. I hope Michael makes the trip even though he is still out due to his nagging injury and is able to join the Zips at halftime. Also interesting that another recruit, whose name I've not heard before will be joining the Zips this Fall: Khai Celestin - Pickerington High School Central