Zip_ME87

Nice comment from Steve Zakuani on his twitter page tonight: stevezakuani11 Steve Zakuani Seattle wins 6-2 and Akron wins 5-0... perfect day of football! #GoSounders #GoZips (BTW...the 6-2 Seattle win was against the Cowlumbus Crew)

Nice start, albeit exhibition

Very nice video. I was there and must say you captured the event very well!

The scarves are awesome...blue, this year, by the way. Reinaldo Brenes (7) is the scrimmage starter you missed.

IMG Soccer Academy retires six jerseys Anthony Ampaipitakwong, #8, Class of 2007: “Ampai” is the most talented midfield player to grace the fields at IMG Academies. After a stint in the US Soccer residency program, Anthony moved over to IMG and never looked back. He captained IMG sides that won the Sun Bowl, Dallas Cup, League Cup, Men’s League State Final, State Cup Final and PDL semifinals twice. After IMG, Anthony attended Akron University where he led them to a NCAA Championship and helped form one of college soccer’s most prolific programs. As a Generation adidas player, Anthony is in his first season with the San Jose Earth Quakes in the MLS. Zarek Valentin, #4, Class of 2008: Zarek is a versatile defender who has poise, guile and tenacity. One of the most competitive individuals to represent IMG, Z’s appetite for the game has caught the eye of every National Team coach in his age range and has represented the US on all of its youth National Teams. Akron Coach Caleb Porter spotted him early on at IMG and Zarek played along Ampai and Blair Gavin at Akron winning the NCAA championship before joining MLS with Chivas USA Not quite right since Ampai is not a GA player, but a nice honor for our former professional Zips.

All I can say is, if those are close to the MLS' rankings...Someone's going to get a HUGE pick-up in Barson! Hard to imagine him being outside the top-5. Can Columbus pick up Chad as a home-grown?

You just did. And, you're right...perfect speed and direction. Actually, it was a very nice series of passes between Darlington and Chabala to set up Chabala's score. Also, you had to love, or at least I did, Portland crushing the Galaxy 3-0 in front of their awesome home crowd (2nd only to the Sounders faithful)...Galaxy's first loss since May 1, I believe.

Beat me to it! 34th minute. Great to see Teal back in the starting lineup tonight.

Outstanding! It looks like he'll be joining his Serbian squad in POOL B for the games. It'll be interesting to see how he does. Hopefully this will help him in preparing for BOTH the 2011-2012 Zip season AND his subsequent European career. I hope the Serb coach teaches him the art of the lay up. He'll increase is scoring average by 6ppg this season if he can consistently make the 2-ft bank shot. No doubt! Here is the Serbian roster for the games. He and another Nikola from URI are the only US college players. Good link. It helped me learn some Serbian. I had no idea that "pictured below" in Serbian is "in BOLD letters." Hey, give them credit...they got The University of Akron correct but not URI. I wonder if the URI folks hate "RIU" as much as UA folks hate "AU"? (I think our Nikola took care of us.)

So, it is the New Mexico game. As Z.I.P. pointed out earlier, I shouldn't have discounted that game so easily. I see that FSC prefers Friday games, but made 2 exceptions...Zips/Gauchos on a Wednesday and Notre Dame/Louisville on a Saturday.

And what makes you think I need larger than XL? This is Z.I.P., not Gozips! Not you. Me.

Thanks Z.I.P., but this T-shirt has been available since January 2011. They never had shirts larger than XL. Nice price reduction, however.

Agree. I was (am) happy for Teal and hope that he finds his way back to being a starter soon. His bobblehead celebration was pretty cool. I'm jealous of the SKC fans...I want a Teal Bunbury bobblehead. EDIT: Teal bobblehead

Saw it live last night (on MLS Direct Kick). Here is the article: bunbury breaks through on bobblehead night EDIT: Teal Bunbury Bobblehead night

2011 Milk Cup Elite Scroll to the bottom FOR the second year in a row Northern Ireland have fallen short of Milk Cup glory at the final hurdle. Steve Beaglehole’s boys pushed Denmark all the way in last night’s final but were unable to recover from conceding an early Mark Gundelach goal as the Danes ran out 1-0 winners. Winning Denmark coach Morten Wieghorst said: “I’m delighted for the boys, they are a group who were only brought together 10 days ago. “This is a big achievement because it is the first time we’ve won it, so I am delighted with the result. “It has been a tremendous week and we have enjoyed our stay in Northern Ireland very much the, local people welcomed us and the team has done well. “It is a tough schedule this week , we saw some tired legs out there but they have made history. A few of the boys have surprised me and some of them aren’t far away at all.” Denmark, coached by former Celtic favourite and international Morten Wieghorst, looked strong and composed against Northern in the first meeting between the sides on Monday night. However, Northern Ireland worked them all the way at the Ballymena Showgrounds last night but just came up short with their final ball and simply not able to work Danish enough goalkeeper Jensen enough. The first opportunity of the game was when a James Knowles corner eventually found its way to Newcastle United youngster Lee Toland and his dipping effort from just outside the box was turned away by goalkeeper well by goalkeeper Jensen Eleven minutes into the game and Denmark opened the goalscoring with their first real foray into the Northern Ireland penalty area, coming through a piece of good fortune and crisp finish from Mark Gundelach. The broke kindly into the midfielder’s path off Casper Sloth’s right boot and the Gundelach produced a powerful drive across Wayne Drummond and into the bottom left hand corner. Five minutes later and Liam McAlinden came within a whisker of drawing the sides level. Matthew Ball, scorer against Denmark and Georgia earlier in the week, slipped an inviting pass into the path of McAlinden and he cut the ball just inches wide of David Jensen’s far post. Caolan Lavery then brought a good save from Jensen as Beaglehole’s side continued to look the more threatening. With 30 minutes on the clock James Knowles had time and space to run into, with Lavery an option to his right, however he chose to go himself an dragged his effort well wide from a central position, 25 yards from goal. Three minutes later Jeff Mensah – a goalscorer in Monday night’s 1-1 draw between the nations – flashed an effort over from 20 yards after a driving run from just inside the Northern Ireland half. Former Glentoran goalkeeper Drummond kept his side in the game eight minutes before the break, to prevent Gundelach doubling his and Denmark’s tally. Gunderlanch drove past Jordan Watson and took aim from a similar position in which he scored the opener only for Drummond to bat the ball away to safety. Northern Ireland boss Steve Beaglehole made a brave move with four changes at the break in an attempt to find a way back into the game. It was one of those substitutes Neil Dougan, who picked up McAlinden’s blocked slot and brought a point blank save from Jensen in the Denmark goal. Another sub Andrew Mitchell glanced a header just wide as the home side continued to rack up the half chances but were unable to carve a genuine opportunity for themselves. With eight minutes left however Michael McLellan flicked on a cross from the left and fell into the path of Ryan McLaughlin. However the Liverpool youngster struck the ball well over the bar from a tight angle. McLellan’s night was to end five minutes from time when he reacted off the ball to shove Soren Henriksen to the ground. It was 10men apiece four mintues later when Jonas Knudsen picked up his second yellow card of the game for a foul on Dougan, as the midfielder sprinted down the flank. Denmark comfortable held out for the victory however and the last action of the night was Lee Toland flashing a free-kick well over the bar from just outside the angle of the box – summing Northern Ireland’s fortunes on the night. Elsewhere in the section, last year’s winners USA secured third place with a 2-1 win over Georgia at the Riada Stadium. Taking home the wooden spoon were Israel who lost out on penalties on Mexico in Friday’s first Elite outing. Friday’s Elite Results: Mexico 0 Israel 0 (Mexico win 4-3 on pens), USA 2 Georgia 1 Final: Northern Ireland 0 Denmark 1 EDIT: Soccer by Ives result description Jordan McCrary and Jerome Kiesewetter each scored, as the United States Under-18 national team defeated Georgia, 2-1, to capture third place at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland. McCrary scored off of a Jose Villarreal free kick in the 39th minute, and Kiesewetter finished off an Omar Salgado cross in the 58th for the eventual game-winning tally. The United States went 2-0-1 in the Milk Cup, defeating Israel and drawing with Mexico prior to Friday's victory. Kiesewetter was the team's leading scorer, notching two goals in the tournament. Salgado, McCrary and Victor Pineda scored the other goals for the United States.

I love how there is even a need to have this article. That just demonstrates how big of a deal Porter is. I agree Yaznasty. It's awesome (as we all know) to have such a highly-regarded coach at UA. I also like that it was media outside of Akron as opposed to the local newspaper.

My guesses, UCSB away on October 5th and Wake Forest at home on October 29th Agreed. Only thing that might make it different is that FSC likes to broadcast Friday night games and the UCSB game is on a Wednesday. The Zips have no regular season Friday home games scheduled. In the past, FSC has broadcast Wednesday night games; that's why, besides the opponent/atmosphere, I'm confident in the UCSB away game. At home, if it's not WFU, it could be one of the Little 12...blOSU, PSU, or MSU. Actually the game against New Mexico on September 16 is a Friday night game. Don't think this would be worth an FSC broadcast though. You're right. I discounted that one in my statement and shouldn't have (because I didn't think it worthy, either). I also agree with Jacob M that the OSU game would be a good one for national TV given the atmosphere. I would hope that televising it wouldn't reduce the crowd size. I trust that all true Zips fans able to attend would do so to torment the Suckeyes and their over-inflated fan base. Too bad Konrad Warzycha is with Sporting KC now...some torment (payback) for the ball in Darlington's face is certainly in order.

My guesses, UCSB away on October 5th and Wake Forest at home on October 29thAgreed. Only thing that might make it different is that FSC likes to broadcast Friday night games and the UCSB game is on a Wednesday.The Zips have no regular season Friday home games scheduled. In the past, FSC has broadcast Wednesday night games; that's why, besides the opponent/atmosphere, I'm confident in the UCSB away game. At home, if it's not WFU, it could be one of the Little 12...blOSU, PSU, or MSU.

My guesses, UCSB away on October 5th and Wake Forest at home on October 29th

I know he's no longer a Zip, but congratulations to Ben Speas...Crew Jrs. Take Back-To-Back TitlesMade to work by Toronto, but take 4-1 victory in finalUSL Super-20 Round-UpSunday, July 24, 2011By NICHOLAS MURRAYBRANDON,Fla. – Columbus Crew Jrs. coach Brian Bliss said after his side’s victory in the USL Super-20 championship game against the Toronto Lynx that he felt winning the title as defending champions was more difficult that doing so for the first time.“I said to the guys, ‘you come in as defending champion, you come in with the MLS label,’ so there’s extra motivation [for opponents] any time we play a game,” Bliss said.While the Crew Jrs. were made to work harder than the final score of 4-1 would make it appear against the Toronto Junior Lynx on Sunday morning at J.C. Handley Field, their quality of play, especially in the attacking third of the field, proved the difference as they won their second consecutive Super-20 championship.As in prior games in the tournament, the Crew Jrs. were able to take the lead early as Toronto appeared tentative facing a side that had handed it a convincing defeat during the Midwest Division regular season. Ben Speas almost took advantage within the first five minute, a fierce volley flying just wide of the right post, but another miscue led to the opening goal as Eriq Zavaleta’s shot after a poor clearance took a wicked deflection into the left corner of the net, leaving Lynx goalkeeper Matt Silva unable to recover.The advantage was doubled shortly after as a fine driven cross from the right by A.J. Corrado was met by the head of Nick Haggland, who arrived late at the far post for an unmarked header.Toronto was able to settle down as the half wore on and even had some good spells of possession and pressure in the Columbus half. However, the Lynx were unable to find a telling cross, with the deliveries more often than not ending up behind the goal line instead of in the penalty area.“I think our final balls were poor today, they’re usually better quality,” Toronto coach Duncan Wilde said. “I think that’s part of the fatigue, I’m not sure they were quite as challenged in the group stage, looking at their scores, while we’ve been in a dogfight every game. I think we spent a lot of energy, but having said that I think they were the superior team when it came to quality and their composure, their build-up play and their patience. Their organization is very good, which is what I’d expect, I just hope we can learn from them and come back next year.”Columbus’ Matt Walker had already had one opportunity saved by Silva as he knifed into the penalty area from the left midway through the second half, but he found the back of the net for the Crew Jrs. third after showing great composure to finish from a tight angle after beating Silva to a through-ball on the left side of the penalty area. And while Toronto was able to find the back of the net, Cameron Eisses’ header from a corner the only goal the Crew Jrs. would concede for the tournament, Columbus restored their three-goal advantage shortly after as Speas scored his fifth goal of the tournament to cap the victory.The victory, completing a season that saw the side go undefeated and draw just once in the regular season, was a satisfying one for Bliss, who said the commitment his players had shown was the key to their success this summer.“When we started this in mid-May, we set the tone early, but they delivered it,” Bliss said. “We set the environment for them. To me, [it was] the overall seriousness that the players approached the game with and the commitment they showed over the two-and-a-half month period.”

Unfortunately Ampai didn't play in last Saturday's game in Columbus, but it was great talking to him after the game...what a classy guy!From twitter...AnthonyAmpaiBeen great Ohio ... But time to get back to work on the west17 JulAnthonyAmpaiGreat seeing some familiar faces from the Zips family ... Thank you for the support16 JulAnthonyAmpaiOne more stop and I'm back in the great state of Ohio. Great times and memories14 JulEdit: I'm looking forward to seeing Darlington this Saturday. I hope the weather cooperates.

There is no such thing as common sense.If there was a common sense, people would know the difference between a celebrity making $60 million for a movie and a college athlete making a few hundred dollars.Yes, thank you. The point I was trying to make, is that it's becoming even more ridiculous by considering giving stipends to athletes who get scholarships. How about the chemists, physicists, engineers, teachers, etc., who actually add to the economy. We do need a sarcasm font as suggested.

- The founding fathers rightfully had a concern about the federal government becoming too big and having too much control- Dwight Eisenhower also had excellent insight that we should beware of the military-industrial complex- Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it. (Look where the USSR is thanks to over-reliance on socialism and massive debt/over-spending; anti-trust laws and government oversight of areas such as the banking system were put into place for good reason.)(I could go on with this list, but I won't)Priorities in the US seem to be out of place...when we are more interested in paying huge salaries for entertainment (professional athletes, celebrities, and even discussing stipends for college athletes who are already on scholarship, etc.) than we are ensuring that we have a viable education system with good teachers who are properly compensated, and that we are developing technology for a viable economy. The answers don't lie in our government giving away more money that we don't have, but in Americans stepping up and contributing in areas that are productive and contribute to a healthy economy. We live in the greatest country in the world with vast resources at our disposal, but we fail to use them effectively.I hate discussing politics, too, but, I'm more disgusted with our leaders and media disregarding common sense and leading the general public away from it as well.

It's going to be hard for Teal to get out of his funk while riding the bench. Sapong and Bravo are playing very well, you can definitely see more life in the attack when both of those players are in. Only way Teal plays is if he can play midfield or when those players need a rest.We don't know what goes on behind the scenes in practice. The one who can correct this is Teal, and I hope he doesn't have this defeatist attitude. If SKC decides Teal no longer has a place in their lineup, they may find it more valuable to trade him for someone who fills another hole in their lineup. Teal is young and talented. While it is disappointing to see him on the bench, I believe his career (in the starting lineup) is far from over. (I'm disappointed that SKC only seems to play Teal with Kamara in the lineup from what I've seen. I'd like to see him paired with Sapong or Bravo.)

Wow. I refuse to wish the summer away, but I look forward to watching this team!"This has certainly been a grueling, seven-month process to reload our team to a level on-par with our standards," Porter said. "After the spring season, we felt there were still some major holes to fill. But with the addition of this final group of talented players, I am satisfied we are finally there. "We believe there are now quality personnel and depth in every position, and we should have all the pieces we need to put a championship caliber team together in 2011. We are excited to welcome this group to the Akron family and I look forward to their contributions."