fknbuflobo

I was pleasantly surprised in how well Kayvon Afsarifard #22 played at CB, filling in for Gallego #4. Afsarifard #22 was smart, calm, and good in the air. He was also a willing and accurate passer. Brenes #7 is proving that he is our primary utility player, playing respectably at LB. He evidently can play anywhere except GK. An intriguing prospect is 6’2” freshman forward Saad Abdul-Salaan #25, who is not even listed on the official website roster. The handout roster says he is from Gahanna, Lincoln HS, (same as Trapp). He played LW the entire match with mixed results. Half the time he looked like he might score; the other half he looked lost. He is fast in the straight away because of his long legs, and he will shoot with either foot. However, he is neither quick nor agile, and is therefore easily defended by smaller, slower players. He also has a very inconsistent first touch. His passing is also below average. We will watch as this story develops. Stevenson #14 respectably played entire match at MF, filling in for Trapp #6.

2005? Day after Thanksgiving? Or was is day before Thanksgiving? In the snow.

Do not assume Zips will beat Mountaineers. WVA will be a tough out.

The horror! Even with 30 pounds of grizzle, and I would RUN these guys, right now.

Just to be clear, that was obviously NOT a shot, but a sliced cross. I sometimes attempt humor.

Shot was wide and very high.

One man's opinion: The 2010 semi-final match vs. Michigan was a much better game. Kitchen's goal was perhaps the best, certainly the most important, goal in Zips history. I have both on DVR, but I do not know how to burn to portable media.

I am really looking forward to August practice.

Right On!

Bisbee, The Mohawk is still jet black. At least he did not dye it. It actually looks cool.

It was cold. Gallego, now a captain, continues to attempt boneheaded passes out of the back. He is mostly responsible for Pitt's goal with an unnecessarily risky pass up the middle getting intercepted. Gallego is a good player, but THAT needs to be cleaned up. At a young age, I was told that 1/3 of goals come in the run of play, 1/3 comes from set pieces, and 1/3 is the result of defensive turnovers. It seems to me that defensive sloppiness is the easiest of the three to remedy. Yedlin has a crazy Mohawk, but he is still very fast. His runs up the right flank put real pressure on Pitt. Stevenson looks in good form. His finishing seems to have improved. I like him better in the offense than at LB. Trapp looks just as stellar now as he was last season. He almost never makes a poor pass, and he is nearly impossible to dispossess. Quinn looks much more comfortable within the system. Barrett looked lost, subbing in the last 30.

Yes, that is way past due.

From your mouth to God's ears!

Right! I am not quite sure whether to feel good or bad about this article.

Seriously? Coming from a different source, I would not even believe that!

That is a brilliant article! From where I am right now, I cannot see who wrote it. Good job, nonetheless! The author is absolutely correct that Porter should be retained. However, the criticism leveled against Porter is, for the most part, warranted and fair. We fans are extremely disappointed. Go ahead and blast Porter. He not only can take it, but he will be better for it. In any event, Porter will be with USNT for a long time to come. Not enough locals realize what a quality coach Dan Zemanski is. He has mentored countless players over the last decade plus. It is good to get his informed opinion here. By the way, his youngest son is rumored to be quite the soccer prodigy. No great surprise there! When can we begin recruiting him?

The first goal is excellent; the second is sublime!

Surely you have already read this........... [url="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/players-to-watch/players-to-watch-archives/nid-24041/Dillon-Serna-stars-in-U18-National-Team-game?desktop=true"] Who will get more playing time, Derschang or Serna?

Good article, Mike. Thanks. Best of luck to Mr. Murrow! We will surely cross paths again. Bearcats are on the 2012 schedule again, right?

Height is not essential in soccer, but it rarely hurts. The uninformed assumption is that larger players are always more physically imposing, better in the air, tougher on the ball. This is certainly not always the case. See Carles Puyol (my idol). However, universal physics will apply, and 6'0" technically competent player usually beats 5’9” technically competent player, other factors being equal. I merely identify that Derschang, Koroma, and Quinn all have pro size. We have yet to see just how good a thing that is, but it definitely is not a bad thing.

Robbie Derschang will start at opposite (left) winger to Quinn. Left to right, projected front 3 are good size @ 5'11", 6'0", and 6'0", respectively.

Fine. Let us play without a left back since no one wants to play it. Presenting the all new 3-3-3 formation!

Perhaps Derschang will play LB?

Perhaps not directly. David Murrow was not getting playing time regardless. UC is a great school with a fine coach/program. I mean that Derschang is likely going to take someone's time in MF. We are left to speculate who will be affected most. Had he remained, Murrow would have been further buried on the depth chart. In my estimation, Derschang is simply too good to sit. He will be a Junior, right? Why would he transfer to Akron to sit the bench? There just seems to be an over abundance of midfielders, ... again.

Is Robbie Derschang right-footed or left-footed? I cannot recall.