TheTank123

WOW! They can do that? Come to think of it, I think that's how the guy Cortez got his chance with Chivas USA -- he was a part of their Academy team before joining the reserves and becoming the leading scorer. I hope Caleb knows about this "opportunity"! haha I wouldn't worry too much. The Sounders are a veteran laden team that has everyone signed till the end of the year. If they go after a homegrown kid it probably won't be for another year or two and he may not even be at the top of the list.

My guess is he will see some time tonight for the Whitecap Reserves against the Sounders. DeAndre Yedlin is suiting up for the Sounders reserves as well.

Cool smiley! Look at Steve-O running away with it at 74% of the vote. Ha, the Sounders boards caught wind of the voting and it was all over from there.

I believe the only incoming players to be added were those who arrived early and Chiu, Yedlin, Gallego and Trapp. I saw Mayer on the ESPNRise lists but never on the official roster, havent seen Bonilla, Quinn, etc. anywhere.

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). I'd rather he went to another MAC school. At UNC he could have a real impact on our title hopes. At Cleveland St. he could have a real impact trying to end our undefeated season. One matters, the other is just window dressing. Your example especially favors him going to another MAC school since Cleveland State isn't in the MAC Haha I'm sorry, you're right, I was just trying to point out that UNC could have a real impact on our fortunes while 99.9 percent of other schools don't. I'm new to Akron and the MAC, what can I say? :-)

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). I'd rather he went to another MAC school. At UNC he could have a real impact on our title hopes. At Cleveland St. he could have a real impact trying to end our undefeated season. One matters, the other is just window dressing.

Does anyone have any inkling of any summer recruits that are coming in? I just find it so hard to believe that Speas wouldn't have gotten time, but Trapp and Quinn are both good players.

Rumor is that Speas is transferring to UNC. They are going to be really really good this year.

Another name to add to this list is Jake Fenlason, a keeper from FC San Diego. He has committed according to ESPNRise. His coach is Aodhan Quinn's father. Coincidence?

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?). None of these guys are going to turn pro until at least 1 year at Akron. If you look at the payscale of HGP's vs. GenAdidas kids, it makes zero financial sense for someone to take the HGP contract if they think they can get a GenAd deal. Trapp and possibly others are definitely GenAd candidates. Jack McInerney I think they can get signed to a GA contract without even doing a year of college. Looking back on previous GA contract recipients, not all of them even made it to college. Yeah but that is saved for incredibly special cases...Jack McInerny, Luis Gil, Omar Salgado and Zach Herold were the only ones signed in the last two years and prior to that everyone has been in Residency. If they aren't signed to a GA by now they won't be signed until after a year of college. Oh WOW! I have been wondering for a while now, whatever happened to Zac Herold? He reportedly had signed an LOI with UCF. Didn't know he was drafted by TFC. What a shame -- he was a great prospect, with international class moves and pace. Yeah, stuff like that is just so sad. Kid worked his whole life and finally made it only to find out he can't play because of something that might happen.

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?). None of these guys are going to turn pro until at least 1 year at Akron. If you look at the payscale of HGP's vs. GenAdidas kids, it makes zero financial sense for someone to take the HGP contract if they think they can get a GenAd deal. Trapp and possibly others are definitely GenAd candidates. Jack McInerney I think they can get signed to a GA contract without even doing a year of college. Looking back on previous GA contract recipients, not all of them even made it to college. Yeah but that is saved for incredibly special cases...Jack McInerny, Luis Gil, Omar Salgado and Zach Herold were the only ones signed in the last two years and prior to that everyone has been in Residency. If they aren't signed to a GA by now they won't be signed until after a year of college.

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?). None of these guys are going to turn pro until at least 1 year at Akron. If you look at the payscale of HGP's vs. GenAdidas kids, it makes zero financial sense for someone to take the HGP contract if they think they can get a GenAd deal. Trapp and possibly others are definitely GenAd candidates.

So it sounds like the issue is PT. Better that than a structural problem within the program.

So what are we looking at now (The midfield is not in position, just the four names)? Holmes Mattocks Quinn Trapp Caldwell Balogun Mayer Barson Gallego Yedlin Trapp Gallego and Yedlin are all me assuming, I dont know of anyone else on the roster who plays RB and Trapp/Gallego are u18 mainstays.

One thing to remember is that according to ESPNRise they have added Dominic Bonilla (HS Senior) and Aodhan Quinn (MVC Freshman of the Year at Bradley). Neither of those guys were on the Akron release.

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 That significantly weakens Louisville, especially with their drug issues. Good for the Zips.

No one has any idea why any of these guys left? I would ask DeAndre but he's not even on campus yet. And I don't think Porter is out of the country on a recuriting trip, hes with the U18s in Portugal.

+1 Louisville would be a great rival too, if Lolla had the guts to sign on the dotted line. Lolla's got some drug arrests to worry about right now...

I know Bisbee will be there and I am thinking about going as well. The fact that it's televised may make me stay here though, I'd rather buy plane tickets for a game I know I won't be able to see.

True. If the other team isn't winning anything, it ain't much of a "rivalry." It's a ton of fun to beating Ohio State, don't get me wrong. But they haven't stepped up to the plate and made it a "rivalry." I think next year's CSU match could be equally as intriguing/heated/crazy as Ohio State. Only because CSU manned-up and beat the Zips. Ohio State wants to be our rival. But they aren't. They're Robin. We're Batman. I've emailed CSN a couple times and always got prompt and pleasant responses. Good group of people over there it seems.

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.

Does anyone with any connections to the program have any idea why all these guys are leaving? Is it a playing time issue?

VERY cool. Thank you. Hopefully both Darlington and Ampai get a start tonight.

Here's a very cool panoramic picture from the Sounders game where they honored Zakuani in the 11th minute by holding up "11" signs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pocinwong/567...in/photostream/

That article is actually from SounderAtHeart, IMO the best Sounders blog out there. Seattle Sports Central just rips off other articles then throws in a mention down at the bottom. Thanks for the addition Tank. I think the guy who blogs as Sounder@Heart is the team-appointed fan club director -- do you know?. I get his e-mails from the team about ticket sales. Actually I owe him, as he helped me get my Barca tix in '09 at a cheaper rate. That I actually do not know. I know he is part of Emerald City Supporters (ECS), the big supporters group for the Sounders, but not sure if he is what you mentioned.