Zip_ME87

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."

Ampai Starting tonight (root beer float night ) according to SJ Eartquakes tweet...SJEarthquakes San Jose Earthquakes#SJEarthquakes Lineup: Busch, Leitch, Hernandez, Burling, Corrales, Ampaipitakwong, Ring, Stephenson, Johnson, Dawkins, Wondolowski31 minutes ago

Apparently not. Hope it's nothing major.Something funny going on -- he's not listed as a sub, including DNP category for any of the (3) box scores I saw for this one. Assume he must have gone on IR, but it's not reported on SJEarthquakes.com (admittedly a poor site by a crummy administration) as having sustained an injury. I think he played 90 in the previous game vs NYRB played at Stanford U before >40,000. Anybody back there heard anything about our Tony?Ampai tweeted this on June 27th, but he never followed up...AnthonyAmpai Anthony AmpaiMRI today on my knee kind of nervous but it feels fine. Update coming soon ...27 JunEDIT: Not on this list, which is a good sign I think.

D is still winning and is now winning in Ohio...NICE!

Vote for Darlington Nagbe's goal vs Cirque du Soleil Click on Sportscenter: Best of the Best on the Left (D currently winning, but losing in Ohio...need to fix this!)

Nagbe's goal is #1 play of the top ten on ESPN Sports Center. Awesome goal!

I totally agree. It's so frustrating how the same mistakes are repeated over and over. We all love UA and our football program, and I want to support it (which I did by renewing my season ticket and donating), but I can't take it on faith that there is improvement for next season. I have to see it, and although it may have been just a 7 on 7, it's more indication of things not looking up. I'd prefer to read Patrick tweeting that they have to get their crap together than that he wished it [the 7 on 7] would go away. At least then I would know it mattered (competitively) to him.

Bury your heads in the sand and make fun of Zach, but I agree with him that this 7 on 7 debacle and how the Zips react to it provides an indication of attitude. Somehow folks think next season will magically be better, but that doesn't happen without dedication and hard work which I have yet to see. I agree it couldn't be much worse next year, but it could be 1 game worse. Those who think the Zips are going to walk into Ohio Stadium and steal one from the deflated Suckeyes are deluding themselves. From what I witnessed in Infocision Stadium last season, the Suckeyes 3rd string led by the equipment manager could win that game. I hope someone gives this team a proverbial kick in the @ss to get them going and stops making excuses for them.

Not sure what you mean by this. Speas is from Stow; so, he has spent a lot more than 2 years in the Akron area.

Thanks for the update, ZIP. I watched the game and wondered why Souders wasn't playing. Great outcome for the USA squad, but very disappointing that Souders was on the bench and saw no action. As far as the game tomorrow, according to the guide on my cable, Time Warner NEO, the game will not be televised tomorrow on ESPNU, but will be shown on Thursday...assumes the onscreen guide is correct. Disappointing.

Yes, but I doubt that it was determined that he wouldn't start. Just no guarantee that he would.

If true, then I feel really badly for Ben. There can't possibly be any guarantee at UNC of being a starter... not at any school playing to their/our level. I like Ben and want to see him become a pro soccer player someday. Jumping from Akron to UNC is more likely to hinder his prospects than to help them. Best wishes to him; I hope it's not a move that he comes to regret. I was looking for Ben Speas and Chad Barson to make me a Crew fan (when they become pro players for the Crew). Oh well, Chad will be reason enough, but it would be better with multiple Akron alumni. GO ZIPS!

Tar Heels Add Transfer For 2011 Campaign Tar Heels Add Transfer For 2011 Campaign Speas was a member of the 2010 NCAA Champion Akron Zips June 20, 2011 CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Head men's soccer coach Carlos Somoano announced the addition of Akron transfer Ben Speas for the 2011 season. Speas appeared in 50 games as a freshman and sophomore in the midfield for the Zips and will have two years of eligibility. Speas appeared in 25 games, with four starts, a year ago as he helped lead Akron to the 2011 NCAA Championship. The Stow, Ohio, native tallied a pair of goals on the season to go along with three assists. Speas netted the game-winner against Western Michigan Oct. 23. As a freshman during the 2009 season, Speas earned a cap in all 25 games earning College Cup All-Tournament Team honors. He made a pair of starts in the NCAA College Cup, including one against the Tar Heels in the semifinal contest logging 95 minutes in the scoreless draw. Speas earned College Soccer News Freshman Top 100 honors after being named the 11th-ranked prospect by Top Drawer Soccer coming out of high school. He was a two-time NSCAA prep All-America and was a member of the U20, U18 and U17 squads. Carolina opens the 2011 season on August 19 with an exhibition contest at Coastal Carolina before officially opening the season August 27 against in-state foe UNC Wilmington.

What sport does he play? He's listed as a guard haha Also, that says "Freshman", but he has played in college for 3 years?!

!La nacion de Akron esta' en la casa! I'm thinking of bringing that banner to HDC for the CD Chivas USA game on Oct 2. (and @UCSB 10/5) Who's with me? +1

+1 +1

Cool that you were actually at that game, and thanks for that summary. I watched that game on Direct Kick but wasn't rooting for either team...just wanted to see the Akron guys do well. However, I did hate seeing DC give up 4 goals with Korb and Kitchen on the back line. It's great seeing Ampai get all the minutes he's been getting lately. The Earthquakes have become one of my favorite teams to watch. A friend of mine who lives in San Jose tells me they love Ampai out there...San Jose definitely got a steal.

Z not playing and Blair Gavin being subbed for Ben Zemanski...NOT right. Blair & Ben should be on the pitch together; not one subbed out for the other. On a more positive note, Fox Soccer Channel's coverage of the Sounders vs Whitecaps on Saturday night included Steve-o in the booth for a few minutes during which, I believe Steve said, he is up and walking (bones healed). Still a long way to go, but very good progress.

Thanks, Johnny. I'll put that shot of 'Z-tine' next to the one of Blair Gavin -- both beating LandyCakes to the ball. Hey -- Chivas plays @Houston tomorrow. I haven't seen Kofie play yet this season -- and I think he has as much potential, skill-wise and athletically as any of the Class of Twenty-Ten. Chivas plays as well or better on the road than any team in MLS. Kofi's lack of minutes early in the season has been the most surprising to me. But it does look like he's been getting more opportunities lately. I agree 100% regarding his potential. Perhaps he's having a little trouble adjusting to playing a more traditional defender role as opposed to the freelancing he was permitted to do as a Zip (the Zip D was so consistent and solid, Kofi was frequently available to make deep runs without the risk of giving up a counter). On draft day, I remember the analysts saying they didn't understand Houston drafting Kofi because they were already loaded with defenders...which may be the issue.