Zip_ME87

Yes, the pre-printed/sold tickets labeled Second Round and dated 11/20/2011 are the tickets to be used tomorrow, at least as far as the season ticket holders who purchased their seats for post-season.

This e-mail was sent out from Akron Mens Soccer today: Zips Nation - First of all, let me say “thanks” for standing by us through thick and thin this season. If other programs were 13-3-4 it would be a revelation but at Akron this isn’t good enough. I know you have felt this misery with our most recent results and I want to apologize for not bringing home our 5th straight MAC tournament championship. Our standards are very high and anything less than winning every game certainly will not be acceptable. At the same time our #1 goal every year is to win the National Championship. It would be easy to focus on what we did not win or achieve this season but what’s most important is to realize this new group the 2011 zips have stayed the course and found a way to put themselves in position to win the national championship. There are 203 Division 1 programs and for 155 teams their season is over. We have earned the right to play for the national championship as one of the 48 teams in the ncaa tournament. Our road certainly won’t be easy but this team has proven we are still capable of beating anyone in the country. Our postseason mission ending with a shot at the title in Hoover, Alabama begins on Thursday when we face the Northwestern Wildcats. We need your help! This is a crucial game and a win would put us in the round of 32. This is the only guaranteed home game we have and it could be the last opportunity for everyone on campus to help push this team to the national championship. To be completely blunt we aren’t the same team at home without the your support. The main reason we have been nearly unstoppable at home in the past is because of you. One of the reasons we won the national championship last season was because of your support. We could not have done it without your energy and spirit at the games. The reality is this year’s teams needs your support, loyalty and commitment more than ever. You are the 12th man during games. You fuel us when times are tough. You give us life and we need everyone to step up. We need to rally this campus and community on Thursday. The coaches are going to step up, the players are going to step up, the administration has stepped up and purchased 1500 tickets to give away at the game. But we need the zipsnation to step up too! We need your best on Thursday to win. We need your passion and energy and fight! I’m not sure you realize how special you are to our program and players. We have worked too hard to build something special to let it slip. Just like our players and the 2011 team is leaving their legacy. So are you….what do you want to be known for? Last year’s supporters can say they were a part of winning a national championship. They did their part and so did the team. This year our team has not done their part in every game and because of that you have maybe not had a reason to do yours. But, we have 1 home game left to go out with a bang. To leave a lasting impression on everyone on campus and in the community. We will do our part and we need you to do yours. When we both take care of business it will be a sweet moment when we celebrate singing the “I believe” song after the game. I will be right there with you! To reward you for your loyalty I will be purchasing pizza for everyone out of my own pocket to give you at the “march to the match” prior to the game. If you attend you will get pizza and a free ticket if you’re one of the first 1500. I’m asking for your help for 1 more game. I want to thank you in advance for helping us win on Thursday…so please show up, step up and speak up for the game on Thursday! Be loud, and be proud! Lastly, in 2008 we were sent on the road to play Northwestern and lost 1-0 in the ncaa tournament. That game should have been at home but the weather forced us to Northwestern. It’s no coincidence that 3 years later in spite of winning the Big Ten regular season and conference tournament championships the NCAA committee sent them to play us on our home field. Some might call this Karma---let’s just say everything happens for a reasonJ Check out this splash page. The video will get you pumped up for the match! http://www.gozips.com/splash/index Your Coach and Friend, Caleb Caleb Porter Head Coach AKRON SOCCER “We have to be bold, I want us to go out and do things, not sit and wait for them to happen. We need to be brave and to go out and look to play, because that is one of the reasons why we have been so successful.” FC Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola

Excellent. Thanks!

I'm so sorry to read this. Phil was awesome! I first met him in line to get into the arena in Portland in 2009 and talked with him at every home game after that. I also fondly remember that BG game TheHipZip mentioned. Absolutely a great guy.

Well-deserved by Darlington! I never erased that game from my DVR.

I'm sorry if I misunderstood what you guys were saying (understandable, given the title of this thread). I have no problem with asking a coach where he thinks he might have erred. No one is perfect, and it would be interesting to hear Coach Porter's hindsight. I just wouldn't ask at this time because it could be easily taken as finger-pointing and more of a distraction than a help. I'm sure he's asking questions of himself and his assistants in trying to figure out the best way forward.

I agree about it being on the players. Caleb can do a lot of things, but he can't step onto the pitch and play for these guys. Folks have complained that he's made changes in the line up. Don't you think he's looking for the right strings to pull. It's easy to sit back here and second guess. I'm sure he's second guessed himself as well, but it all comes down to the players executing. I don't recall the Zips being blown out in any game this season. Just one or 2 things falling into place in any of our ties or losses and the game goes our way. Since I've never led a college team to a national championship nor have I been selected to lead my country's soccer team in qualifying for the Olympics, I think I'll be supportive of our Mens Soccer Head Coach, go to the game and cheer for him and our players rather than disputing his decisions.

Cool video...thanks. One question came to mind whil watching it. How mny MAC schools play soccer on their football feild?? Buffalo for sure....any others?? If the MAC wants to elevate it's stature....soccer only stadiums would be a must IMO. EDIT: Soccer only stadiums - Akron, BGSU, FAU, W. Michigan Football Stadium - Buffalo Track stadium - N. Illinois, Hartwick

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.”