Zip_ME87

Yes, Tim is a grandson of one of Zips Men's Soccer biggest fans and season ticket holder who sits 2 rows behind me at Cub Cadet Field (and also on Dec 7 and 9, 2018 at UCSB).

As a full member of the MAC, I don't believe Akron can pull out of the conference for a sponsored sport. The MAC would have to drop Men's Soccer first. Steve1982's solution is interesting if both conferences would be open to it.

Thanks again to @TennZip for pointing me to this: The MLS SuperDraft is Coming: Who Loons fans should care about ... A more possible defensive pickup would be Akron’s Abdi Mohamed. The Ohio native spent three years as a box-to-box type with Ohio State, but looking for an added challenge he joined a Zips side that promptly threw him in as a right back. His technical ability showed in his new position, helping to anchor a young defense that made a surprise run to the 2018 NCAA College Cup Final. His versatility in being able to fill two positions of need could serve him especially well in Minnesota, with the added potential of being a face for a team reaching out to the Twin Cities’ East African community. ...

Still awaiting the official 2019 Generation Adidas announcement which has to be coming in the next few days given that the Combine begins this week/weekend. Thanks to @TennZip for sending me this: https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/amaya-robinson-to-headline-mls-generation-adidas-class/23ke1chi5oh81q0pqi2y4gi52 Last updated 12 hours ago ...Akron University [cringe] forward David Egbo is another player who has drawn consideration as a Generation adidas target after scoring 13 goals for a Zips squad that reached the NCAA final four, but as of Tuesday he has not signed a deal. ...

Warshaw: A 2019 wish for every MLS club ...Columbus Crew SC (Assuming the Caleb Porter deal gets done…) That Porter digs up the “death by one thousand passes” coaching book he buried the last time he left Ohio. When Porter coached the University of Akron, his teams played exceptionally gorgeous soccer. Exceptional is reductive here, too. He never got to the same heights in Portland, even when they won MLS Cup. If the Akron Porter returns, then favorite the Crew on your ESPN+ account. ...

moved to Columbus CrewSC thread.

Road to March 2: Catch up with your team's moves ahead of the 2019 season Atlanta United Projected starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): GK Brad Guzan – Franco Escobar, Michael Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, George Bello – Eric Remedi, Julian Gressel, Darlington Nagbe – Tito Villalba, Josef Martinez, Ezequiel Barco FC Cincinnati Projected starting XI (4-4-2, right to left): GK Przemyslaw Tyton – Alvas Powell, Mathieu Deplagne, Kendall Waston, Greg Garza – Emmanuel Ledesma, Victor Ulloa, Leonardo Bertone, Roland Lamah – Darren Mattocks, Fanendo Adi Columbus Crew Biggest move so far: It's not been confirmed or announced yet, but all signs point toward Caleb Porter taking over as head coach. Projected starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): GK Zack Steffen – Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Lalas Abubakar, Milton Valenzuela – Wil Trapp, Artur – Pedro Santos, Federico Higuain, Justin Meram – Gyasi Zardes Montreal Impact Projected starting XI (4-3-3 defensive, right to left): GK Evan Bush – Bacary Sagna, Victor Cabrera, Rudy Camacho, Daniel Lovitz – Samuel Piette, Micheal Azira, Saphir Taider – Alejandro Silva, Maxi Urruti, Nacho Piatti New England Revolution Projected starting XI (4-2-3-1 right to left): GK Matt Turner – Andrew Farrell, Jalil Anibaba, Michael Mancienne, Edgar Castillo – Luis Caicedo, Scott Caldwell – Juan Agudelo, Diego Fagundez, Cristian Penilla – Juan Fernando Caicedo Orlando City SC Biggest move so far: There have been too many moves amid the Lions’ overhaul to name just one. Danilo Acosta and Joao Moutinho with fresh starts are intriguing and Mendez has big shoes to fill in the midfield. Portland Timbers Projected starting XI (4-2-3-1 right to left): GK Jeff Attinella – Zarek Valentin, Larrys Mabiala, Liam Ridgewell, Jorge Villafana – Diego Chara, David Guzman – Andy Polo, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco – Jeremy Ebobisse

Crew SC Year-End Review: From veteran milestones to career-firsts, 2018 midfield a showcase in variety ... Meanwhile, Artur, who was acquired on a permanent transfer from Sao Paulo FC in December of 2017, formed one pillar of the two-back central mid pairing alongside captain Wil Trapp. The duo made a combined 61 starts on 62 appearances, totaling one goal – which if you have not heard, was kind of a big deal – and three assists. Notably, Trapp paired a solid season with the Black & Gold with a breakout year for the USMNT, captaining the side in eight of his nine appearances after earning just two caps prior to 2018. The Gahanna, Ohio native tied for the most caps this year while his 714 minutes led all 53 players who took the field for the Stars and Stripes. ...

... Best MLS fits: With the No. 1 pick, Mohamed’s likely not a candidate to go to FC Cincinnati, but the new MLS side would be smart to snap up the Ohio native. He could also thrive under Columbus Crew SC if they go with Caleb Porter as the new head coach. ...

With 2018 coming to a close, a little reflection: Mid-season TDS Top 100 Freshman (4): Carlo Ritaccio (#13), Pol Hernandez (#32), Colin Biros (#60), and Marco Milanese (#68). PostSeason TDS Top 100 Freshman (5): Carlo Ritaccio (#1), Colin Biros (#15), Sam Tojaga (#47), Marco Milanese (#73), and Pol Hernandez (#94). Mid-season TDS Top 100 (2): David Egbo (#75), Abdi Mohamed (#79) Post Season TDS Top 100 (3): Abdi Mohamed (#26), David Egbo (#32), and Marcel Zajac (#87) MAC Tourney MVP: Marcel Zajac MAC Tourney All-Tournament Team: Marcel Zajac, Abdi Mohammed, Ezana Kahsay, Carlo Ritaccio Defensive Most Outstanding Player of the College Cup: Ben Lundt College Cup All-Tournament Squad: Marcel Zajac, Abdi Mohamed, Ben Lundt MAC Regular Season (#4): 1-2-1 MAC Tourney Champions (#1): 3-0 (2-1 SIUE [H], 3-1 WVU [A], 3-0 WMU [N]) Regular Season: 7-6-2; 1-2-1 MAC Tourney: 3-0 (1 home) NCAA Tourney: 5-1 (1 home, 3 road, 2 neutral) Overall: 15-7-2 From 1-3-1 to National Runners Up at 15-7-2 Many more accolades and stories I didn't include. WOW, what a season!!! Thanks Zips Men's Soccer. Looking forward to 2019! https://gozips.com/news/2018/12/10/mens-soccer-zips-come-up-short-of-title-aspirations-as-maryland-edges-akron-1-0.aspx?path=msoc The 2018 University of Akron men's soccer team provided an amazing story of perseverance and determination that will long be remembered not for a 1-0 setback to Maryland in the title match of the College Cup on Sunday, Dec. 9, but for a group of 30 student-athletes that came together as one and lifted each other to the pinnacle of their sport while representing their team and school with dignity and class.

Awesome to see and talk with our NCAA and 2x MLS Cup Champion Darlington Nagbe at the Zips Men's Basketball game today.

Winger Jonathan Lewis a surprise choice for USMNT camp — or is he?

Credit TennZip for finding this article... https://www.wakingthered.com/2018/12/28/18159497/report-tim-bezbatchenko-to-columbus-crew-toronto-fc-general-manager

Soccer by Ives, Lewis added to USMNT roster for first international call up

...The 21-year-old midfielder is one of eight players on the roster to earn their first call-up and one of 13 who are uncapped. Lewis has previously played for the U-20 MNT and was part of the U.S. squad that won the 2017 Concacaf U-20 Championship. ... DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals): GOALKEEPERS (4): Alex Bono (Toronto FC/CAN; 1/0), Sean Johnson (New York City FC; 5/0), Tyler Miller (LAFC; 0/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 6/0) DEFENDERS (10): Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 2/0), Greg Garza (FC Cincinnati; 10/0), Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes; 0/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 2/0), Daniel Lovitz (Montreal Impact/CAN; 0/0), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids; 0/0), Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union; 0/0), Walker Zimmerman (LAFC; 4/1) MIDFIELDERS (11): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 23/2), Paul Arriola (D.C. United; 17/2), Corey Baird (Real Salt Lake; 0/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC/CAN; 142/17), Russell Canouse (D.C. United; 0/0), Marky Delgado (Toronto FC/CAN; 6/0), Jonathan Lewis (New York City FC; 0/0), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy; 5/1), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire; 0/0), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC; 5/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 11/0) FORWARDS (3): Jeremy Ebobisse (Portland Timbers, 0/0), Christian Ramirez (LAFC; 0/0), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus Crew SC; 40/6)

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2018/12/27/louisville-soccer-vince-tyra-new-head-coach/2424852002/ ...Fresh from a second-place finish in the NCAA’s College Cup, Akron’s Embick was sure to show up on every serious school's short list. Despite the inherent disadvantages of coaching outside the Power Five Conferences, Akron has won more games (94) in Embick’s six years as head coach than any other Division I program. Previously the program’s recruiting coordinator, Embick’s recruiting classes have ranked first or second nationally six times in the last 10 years. Embick did not respond to a request for comment from the Courier Journal, but U of L board members, boosters and website operators believed he was bound for Louisville as late as last Saturday. “I certainly had a chance to get to know Jared,” Tyra said. “He’s had a terrific career. But I think for different reasons — Akron upping their support of the program (and) probably personal reasons as well — he decided to stay. ... So he kind of dropped out of the process and we continued forward.” ... Although I posted that Coach Embick was staying, I have no knowledge of what UL offered, what UA may have countered, or any idea of any of the details of Jared's decision. All that matters to me, and I hope to everyone of us, is: 1) Jared chose to stay at Akron, which is the most awesome news and gift for us. 2) We, the Zips Men's Soccer supporters and donors --- season ticket holders; fans; UA alumni; team alumni; future supporters, donors, season ticket holders, etc. --- need to continue to push for and find ways to help UA better support our Championship Men's Soccer Program. Sorry to keep repeating myself but realize as this article states...Akron’s Embick was sure to show up on every serious school's short list. I don't see that changing in the future. We have to keep our program strong. Thanks so much for everything all of you do for our program. Let's keep it up and strive to do even better just like we ask of our coaches, staff, and players. We are a team. We are Akron! GO ZIPS!!! #AkronMade

Congratulations Zarek Valentin...fellow UA Alumnus.

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