Zip_ME87

It's halftime in the Portland vs DC United match with Portland trailing at home for the first time due to Perry Kitchen's 1st MLS goal at approximately 12:54. Throw in off another DC player (Brettschneider?) to Kitchen point blank (kick) in front of the net. DC United leads 1-0 at half. EDIT: Perry Kitchen opens the scoring

It finally happened 74 minutes into the SJ Earthquakes vs Chicago Fire game Saturday night...Ampai fed a perfect kick from the right side of the pitch to Wondo who headed it in from a few feet directly in front of the goal. Also of note, Ampai entered the game at half time and provided a perfect corner kick (as we've seen numerous times) from the left side of the pitch to get his first assist of the game/season. His second assist came 25 minutes later to Wondolowski. Unfortunately SJ only got 1 point for the eventual 2-2 draw, but Ampai got a lot of deserved love from the announcers. Ampaipitakwong to Wondolowski Corrales score (Ampai corner)

Very nice contingent of Zemanski and Valentin fans sitting one section over from me in Crew Stadium tonight, including the Barsons. Both Zarek and Ben were very gracious signing autographs and talking with their fans following the 3-3 draw. It was well worth the 2-hour drive. I hope they both enjoyed the attention. Sorry to see so many empty seats, though, in Crew Stadium. Even $1 drafts didn't bring a better crowd.

My niece and I will be there as well. Where will you be sitting, Jacob? We will be on the side of the stadium opposite the benches in Row A near the goal opposite the stage...I've forgotten the section number and don't have the tix in front of me. (I think it's Section 109.)

I respectfully disagree. We have no guarantee of winning the MAC even though the Zips have been dominant in the MAC. At UNC, he only affects us directly if we play UNC in the NCAA Tourney. There are many other affects he could have within the ACC (EDIT: detrimental to other teams such as Maryland) that could help us.

Tough call. I'm forever grateful to transfer Humpty for saving our bacon and draining the 3 to beat Toledo in 2009. But he left for a team that wasn't really a competitor to the Zips. If he'd have transferred to another MAC school, he'd have become "Bubba." While UNC isn't a direct competitor, like a MAC program, it is definitely a program we compete against for championships. Speas will be trying to score on Meves at some point, so I hate him. Athletically only, of course. I agree that if the Zips face UNC again, I will be supporting the Zips. But, otherwise, I'm happy that Ben came to Akron and helped the Zips in both 2009 and 2010. I hope he does well and that I see him in a Columbus Crew (or other MLS) uniform someday. Glad he's going to an ACC school and not another MAC school or even a Big 11 school (especially that one in Columbus).

If you wish to hate on a player that left the Zips for a competitor, you have my blessing. Not mine. If not for Ben's goal line header save (similar to Barson's leg save in Santa Barbara), the Zips would have lost to UNC in the 2009 College Cup and not have played in the title game.

Not sure if this was posted somewhere on ZN.o previously since it's 11 days old, but I couldn't find it and thought it worth sharing... Academy product Caldwell trains with Revs “It’s a great feeling,” said Caldwell when asked about his emotions watching his former teammates turn pro. “Knowing that Caleb’s such a great coach, producing such great players – obviously recruiting them and taking their game to the next level – I know it’s a great place to be.” With that said, Caldwell plans to take a different path than many of his former teammates who left school early to pursue professional careers. Caldwell has stated his intention to finish his degree at Akron and play the final two years of his collegiate career.

Interesting. Anything on Navarrete? Seems weird to show up for Spring semester and leave before that's even finished. Is anyone else going crazy with excitement about this upcoming season. I cant wait for it to start. I find this odd, why would you show up for Spring to leave for UAB? UAB - Diego Navarrete It does seem odd, but looking at that roster, there is another player from Santiago, Chile at UAB. Perhaps Diego needed someone else to help with his transition.

Thanks Crew8 for that update. I couldn't make it last night nor did I get to watch online (if that was possible).

Speaking of Steve-o and Teal... BTW, Steve-o made it to the game at Qwest Field last night, They showed him sitting in the stadium in a gray hoodie (incognito, I guess), and I believe it was Teal's sister (Kylie) sitting next to him.

Player contributions aren't always noted, either. Take for example, San Jose's 2-1 victory last night over New England. The article states: In a move to inject a spark in San Jose’s midfield, head coach Frank Yallop inserted Anthony Ampaipitakwong on the right side and McLoughlin on the left. It would be the latter move that paid dividends. In the 71st minute — just four minutes after coming on for Ryan Johnson — McLoughlin appeared unmarked inside the box and met a Chris Wondolowski cross with a diving header that beat Reis inside the far post to give San Jose the lead. I watched that game on MLS Direct Kick. The series that led to that score was Ampai forward pass to Wondo, Wondo pass across the field to McLoughlin, McLoughlin header into the net. Wondo gets the assist, but Ampai gets no credit for being involved, not even by the writer. EDIT: From the San Jose Mercury News The last time McLoughlin scored on a header, he added, was in an under-12 game. McLoughlin represents a younger-looking team that is bringing energy onto the pitch at a time the Quakes needed a kick in the pants. "He and Anthony (Ampaipitakwong) changed the game for us," coach Frank Yallop said of the rookie wings that came on early in the second half. San Jose scored all of its goals after their appearance; for consecutive games the Quakes have unloaded in the second half. They have scored five second-half goals in the past two games after scoring only one second-period goal in the first eight.

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