Roogangs

Where did you hear that?? BTW -- the idea that David Mayer is a very good player should not come as any surprise, if you know he started for Wigan's Academy team (U19 I guess). As someone over at BigSoccer boards shouted out -- get him a Green Card fast, the USA needs a left back BAD. Z.I.P., Mayer looked really skinny to me. Good, but scrawny. Cristian Arboleda is already 22, a grown man. What is this business about Holmes having to miss 7 games? I do not believe it. Why would he transfer here knowing that beforehand? Maybe he did not know this would happen. I think it has to do with now being at a D1 NCAA school vs his previous NAIA (which it did not matter). Needless to say, he will get quality minutes and more than likely start once he returns from suspension. He was probably willing to take the suspension knowing he would get half a season and postseason to make his MLS/Pro statement. That is a huge blow to our title hopes! Holmes is a fine player. I do not buy your theory. Another season as NAIA POTY is more marketable than 1/2 season of @ NCAA Champs. Pro scouts do not care where the players are; they will find the talent. Look at all the players on the USMNT without any collegiate experience whatsoever. If this was an oversight, then it was a big one. Somebody did not do their homework. Very UN-Porter! I guess that moves Chiu into starting 11. I think you are over reacting a little. If the team gels and hits their stride the second half of the season into the NCAA's I feel we will have a good tourney run (although we can not expect any Akron team to make it to the finals year after year). I saw some of the practice the other day and I dont know if Chiu will be a started, my vote is for Tommy or the other Jamaican (or we play with one forward and two attacking mids).

Where did you hear that?? BTW -- the idea that David Mayer is a very good player should not come as any surprise, if you know he started for Wigan's Academy team (U19 I guess). As someone over at BigSoccer boards shouted out -- get him a Green Card fast, the USA needs a left back BAD. Z.I.P., Mayer looked really skinny to me. Good, but scrawny. Cristian Arboleda is already 22, a grown man. What is this business about Holmes having to miss 7 games? I do not believe it. Why would he transfer here knowing that beforehand? Maybe he did not know this would happen. I think it has to do with now being at a D1 NCAA school vs his previous NAIA (which it did not matter). Needless to say, he will get quality minutes and more than likely start once he returns from suspension. He was probably willing to take the suspension knowing he would get half a season and postseason to make his MLS/Pro statement.

I dont know where i heard that from but i believe it is due to the fact that he was a pro player in england (training with professional teams even though he did not receive pay) and has to sit out some games as a penalty. Hopefully i am wrong but just relaying what i have heard.

I believe the "new kid" from Colombia had been planning on coming to Akron but just needed to pass his English proficiency test. Also, who do we feel will start as attacking mid since Holmes has to sit out the first 7 games?

I dont know if i was making this up, but i thought i had seen David Mayer's name on Akron's roster and now it is not there. Did I make this up or has he been taken off the roster?

Well it is good to hear Speas will keep playing. As for future pro signings. Trapp and Souders will at least play one year at Akron. I know for a fact that Barson will be at Akron this year. He was offered a Pro Contract with the Crew right after the National Championship game and he turned it down. I believe he wants to get his degree from Akron, or the majority of his classes (isnt the kid a 4.0 pre med student?).

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.

I am looking forward to the season and seeing who all is on the team! The only way I would worry is if Barson and Caldwell sign contracts with their respective MLS teams. Caldwell said in a article after the Championship that he wanted his degree from Akron so I am hoping he stays his 4 years. I was told that Barson was offered a contract with the Columbus Crew this past year but declined and also have been told other MLS teams have inquired. Needless to say Porter and company will but up to the 2011 challenge!

I think the main thought process should be, "this is what happens when you have a high caliber team". We are going to continue to have Freshman that enter the program and start from the get-go, and this pushes aside a Sophomore, Junior or Senior. The players that have been leaving were probably told by Porter that they need to increase their level of play or they will be helping the team through the practice squad roll. Speas does supprise me but hindsite being 20/20: he played more his Freshman year than he did his Sophmore year. I am going to go on the assumption that Porter had a long talk with him and determined that he probably was not going to see significant playing time. We all know Porter likes a "controling style" and Speas seems to be more of a "get and go" and kind of lacks pure position. All and all he is a great player and if he chooses to go somewhere else he will do well. I am beginning to think that this years recruiting class could be like the Freshman class of 2009 (Barson, Meves, Caldwell, Valentine, Speas, etc) where they were all expected to start and make huge contributions..... for the most part they all did with the exception of Speas (except for the Final Four). I keep thinking that Porter knows what he is doing and wants to do what is best for the players, even if it is telling a strong player like Speas that he probably will not start and if he wants full 90 playing time he may want to seek another program.

I believe that this entire trip is paid in full by ADIDAS!! Actully I know that it is paid by ADIDAS. Another wonder CP pulled out of his hat. I am really beginning to think that this guy walks on water!

Welcome Ando, however I dont think you have watched a single game the past two years! Barson being the "weakest link"? The kid is the most consistent and intelligent player I think I have ever watched. If anyone had a poor season it was Valentin, way to many give aways. Barson will anchor another great D line next year along with the new ones.

A couple of years ago I was talking with Kofi about his choice on coming to Akron vs OSU. He was saying that he and Barson both we looking at schools together (even though Kofi was going to be starting a year sooner). After visiting OSU Kofi said he asked Barson what he thought. Barson's response was something like, " i would not play for Blum in a million years!" they then visited Akron with CP and well the rest is as we know it. I am sure those two had a huge part in the rest of last years freshman class and Kitchen this past year coming, seeing that they were all friends prior to Akron!

Knowing what I do about the guys coming in, the defense is not going to be the problem, as long as the transition isn't too difficult. Although we can replace Ampai with Trapp, losing Darlington is going to be a huge hole to fill. I was, however, very impressed with how Speas played when he got in at the end of the championship game...Balogun looked to be able to contribute as well. It will be interesting to see how some of the bench players respond to getting more minutes. I agree 100%, Darlington is a huge loss but Porter will find a new way to overcome this loss (great coaches, players, and teams always do!!). Speas will step up, and I look forward to seeing Eric Stephenson. He is an unbelievable player that started against UNC and scored the first goal but for some reason did not play again. He could also fill in for Korb or Ampi as well, he is very quick and crafty on the ball, mark my words!! we can pull this post up next year at this time and say, wow Eric S had an incredible year.

My thoughts on those leaving: Kofi and Darlington will leave. Nano will not go, no real offers for him. Mattocks def will not leave, Porter will tell him he is not ready and I truely feel our players respect his thoughts on their development (just look who Porter has guided to the pros and their success). Porter will tell Kitchen he needs to stay for one more year to develop a little more but I feel he may ignore and leave anyway, I have seen Kitchen's father talking it up at games with the scouts. Before Kitchen decides to leave or not he should have a talk with Amobi Okugo who was a freshman last year at UCLA and left for the MLS. He has not done much this year besides polish the bench of the 2800 mins Philly played Okugo played roughly 400 mins. I know he gets to train with great players but there is no substitute for game action. Valentin will leave, I think he is more soccer oriented and not very academic like some of the other players. Now in all honesty I dont worry about loosing Valentin. On interviews with Porter he consistenly regards Barson as his linchpin of the defense. I have never seen the kid mess up (and as I have said before I was a past defender and I watch them closely!). The team voted Barson the defensive MVP last year and well this year I am sure he will get it again. Valentin, although very good, makes terrible choices at times and has had to many to count passes directly to the other team, ie Cal vs Akron. If we lost Barson to the Crew (homegrown player) then I would be worried. In all: Korb = graduated Ampi = graduated Kofi = gone Darlington = gone Valentin = gone Kitchen = gone Mattocks = stays Nano = stays Barson = stays I will say that I am excited to start building new teams every year and still being competitive. Sure if all our guys stayed we would win again next year but lets make it interesting!!!

Great job to these two guys!! I have to ask, does anybody have an idea why Barson and Kofi were not asked. Both have been with the U20 team also. As a past defender I feel I have some defending insight. Kofi adds another dynamic to the game with his ability to go forward, even if the U20 coach does not see him doing that he still can. Kofi also has speed and is a great 1v1 defender. Barson is in my opinion a natural defender through and through. The kid is increadible in the air, brilliant passes from the back and is 100% reliable game in and game out. Not to mention "the save" in the finals. Valentin is great also but I always have my reservations about him. He is unpredictable, great games and then truely horrible games. Both Barson and Valentin are the same size with at least looking at them and the stats Barson having the weight advantage of about 20lbs. Perry hands down was a great pick. Just my thought, what do others think? Congrats again to Perry and Valentin!!

This one deserves more attention. Meves was flat on the ground after blocking a shot. Louisville super sub Daniel Horton got the ball right in front of the net. Barson was standing in front of the net in the goalie's normal position. Horton blasted the ball at the net, and Barson stopped it. I don't know enough about soccer to know for sure, but I'm guessing that Barson, not being a goalie, could not use his hands to grab the ball like a goalie could. He had to block it with his legs, and he did. Hopefully one of the soccer experts here can explain the significance of this better than I can. I just know when I saw it happen that I thought it was the defensive play of the game. It also almost cause me an injury as I leaped out of my chair. Yep Barson could not use his hands. What a stop, your right, Play of the game! I looked up some info on Barson and Horton. They went to high school together, played club soccer with each other since they were 6 years old, and were in Bradenton together with the National team. This is second hand info from chatting with people at the game! My heat is still beating fast!

Our center backs were huge this game. both Barson and Valentin were spot on, terrific passes out of the back. I have watched the final 3 mins of the game 5 times already!! Play of the game, goal line save by BARSON with basically no time left. Barson all caps because he never gets any love, even the commentator cant get it right. Players of the game in my opinion: Meves, Valentin, BARSON, Caldwell!!! What a past 2 years!!!!!

so at the end on Gametracker's summary it has top performers listed as Barson Darren Darlington Kofi did anyone watch the game to comment on these players!!

I had a "source" at the game calling me throughout. He said stats will not tell the story of the game. Actually he said non of there shots were threats at all. After the first 5 mins of the second half it was all akron, after D's goal it was lights out. Apparently UNC barely touched the ball the last 20 mins, total keep-a-way by UA. Pretty good crowd but nothing that would have been in Akron! ON TO WAKE!

what a game! dont let the stats fool you. Shots on Goal 6-5 in favor of UNC. of the 6 shots i would say 2 caused me to hold my breath. Of our 5 shorts, well 3 were goals, one was a break away, and the other made UNC fans "ohhhhhh". I would say we controled the game 60 to 40. Great way to start the season! Defensive player of game : Barson Mid player of game: Stevenson Newcomer: Perry Forward: Darlington What do other people think?!?!?!

UNC first half had weak shots from distance. 2nd half first five minutes they were firing but now akron is dominating! and right as i post the last quote Darlington scores ---- 3-0 !!!!

If you think Zarek was an omission you have to count it Barson. Started every game as well and had a Goal and Assist. He also is with the U20 national team.

Zippypitt- Good catch, although i just heard my source the other day, maybe there are other Jamacian's?? Anyway, I am looking forward to this season. I think we will be bette than last year. I am sure we will have a stud new of former forward, and our defense will still hold strong. Seems Barson was the standout defender while with the U20 USA team while in Holland (Sarkodie, Valentine and Perry also played well: i was there and watched) What a great group of guys we have as a team already!!!!

I will miss Mwila. If we think back, both of our "first round draft strikers" had similar stats as Mwila as freshman. Then they had breakout sophomore years. I was hoping that Mwila was going to follow the trend. I remember seeing Teal his freshman year and not being that impressed (also thinking he gave the ball up a bunch), and look how that changed. Either way, word on the street is that two forwards from Jamacian will be rostered on Akron this coming fall along with all the other incoming freshman know previously. Hopefully one of the new forwards is related to Mr. Bolt from the summer Olympics!!

Just found out that almost our entire starting back line will not be at the games this weekend. Barson, Valentine, Sarkodie all are with the U20 US National Team for the Dallas Cup.