fknbuflobo

The Cal game was incredible. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. Without a doubt the most incredible sporting event I've ever attended. The swings in momentum were incredible. Standing on that hill with 1500 other UA students is something I'll never forget. It was one huge roller coaster of emotions. I went from feeling like I would throw up to screaming in excitement. Simply amazing. Especially in PKs, standing shoulder to shoulder, arms linked with strangers. Heart pounding out of my chest. And then the Kofi PK. You could hear a pin drop when he stepped up. Followed by an absolute explosion! Is it August 25 yet! Dude, you nailed it. I couldn't have said it any better. That atmosphere was just so perfect for such a suspenseful game. We were all freezing and none of us knew what was going to happen. and the PKs were so emotional, just like you said. Basically, Disney could have filmed that game for a movie and it would have been perfect. Is anyone going to be able to make it out to any practices. I know we all have "jobs" and "real life responsibilities" but my guess is gozips.com coverage is going to be slanted towards the other football. The boys are doing captains practices this week and start real practices on the 9th. Funny you should ask. I watched nearly 30 minutes of 2-touch possession scrimmage tonight ~ 7:15. Brenes, Trapp, and Mayer were slowly running laps, Trapp wearing a neoprene sleeve on left knee. Keep an eye on that. Gallego is stockier than I expected. He has the demeanor of a rough tackler, an enforcer. I continue to be impressed with the overall ability of Holmes, deftly avoiding pressure with his allotted 2 touches. There is no doubt that Barson is the leader of this squad. Awesome man, thanks for the update. I have seen Trapp play previously and I do believe he was wearing one then as well. Could be just a precautionary measure. How did the other transfers look (Quinn and Walls)? The one I think was Quinn (tall and skinny) lost possession and seemed a bit off form. I am not sure Walls was there at all. Keep in mind there is no program to consult when watching a players-only practice. I identified who I could while simultaneously keeping my ornery daughters out of trouble. All the drills were at ¾ speed, if that. On the other hand, everyone knows who Yedlin is. If you read above, like everyone else, I have high expectations for Sarkodie's replacement. Barson was barking at him a bit about opening to the field and making the first touch count for more. I interpret this as a sign that Yedlin is already considered a starter and that Barson is not concerned about hurting his confidence whatsoever. I wish I could have stayed longer, but my girls were getting restless. In some ways, I enjoy watching practices more than I like matches.

The Cal game was incredible. I get goose bumps just thinking about it. Without a doubt the most incredible sporting event I've ever attended. The swings in momentum were incredible. Standing on that hill with 1500 other UA students is something I'll never forget. It was one huge roller coaster of emotions. I went from feeling like I would throw up to screaming in excitement. Simply amazing. Especially in PKs, standing shoulder to shoulder, arms linked with strangers. Heart pounding out of my chest. And then the Kofi PK. You could hear a pin drop when he stepped up. Followed by an absolute explosion! Is it August 25 yet! Dude, you nailed it. I couldn't have said it any better. That atmosphere was just so perfect for such a suspenseful game. We were all freezing and none of us knew what was going to happen. and the PKs were so emotional, just like you said. Basically, Disney could have filmed that game for a movie and it would have been perfect. Is anyone going to be able to make it out to any practices. I know we all have "jobs" and "real life responsibilities" but my guess is gozips.com coverage is going to be slanted towards the other football. The boys are doing captains practices this week and start real practices on the 9th. Funny you should ask. I watched nearly 30 minutes of 2-touch possession scrimmage tonight ~ 7:15. Brenes, Trapp, and Mayer were slowly running laps, Trapp wearing a neoprene sleeve on left knee. Keep an eye on that. Gallego is stockier than I expected. He has the demeanor of a rough tackler, an enforcer. I continue to be impressed with the overall ability of Holmes, deftly avoiding pressure with his allotted 2 touches. There is no doubt that Barson is the leader of this squad.

Well done, Yaz! 1. DeAndre Yedlin. He sure looked the part in the Sounders’ green. Great uniform! 2. Luke Holmes. This little dynamo is special. 3. Final 4. 4. DarNag is irreplaceable and was a large part of the success of last 3 years. Folks forget the game he had in 2008 tourney vs. OSU, as a freshman (@ St.V/M). 5. Mattocks has a big upside. He is a natural finisher, but he can improve on all other aspects of his game. 6. Repeat? Statistically very unlikely. 7. Yes. Porter is both capable and stubborn. 8. SZ #11, DN #6 is 2nd. 9. OSU 10. Yes, remember the Cal match, with the snow flurries during PKs. Meves with multiple and glaring errors. I actually lost my voice for shouting. (Yes, I am THAT guy.)

It's the end of July... College Soccer News... what are they waiting for: http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page424.htm Akron has to be among the top few Just looked at the roster. Where are Walls, Quinn, Bonilla, Mayer, etc.? Are these guys coming or no?

Congrats DarNag!

I agree wholeheartedly. Porter has enormous potential but needs more seasoning (not to mention professional coaching experience). He knows this. Caleb is now our boy, and we will always root for him. But now is not his time. Juergen Klinsman is the right man for the job, and has been for some time. Not only does he have national team managerial experience, but he was a fantastic player in his day. Remember that he was a top 10, world class, player for a decade. Never has that type of experience been with our USMNT. I am very excited.

I would be shocked to see a top 5 ranking let alone a top one. The Zips lost a lot of talent and even though it looks like a good set of replacements, these guys have never been on the pitch together. A lot of teams (e.g. Tulsa, UNC) return a lot of last years very good teams. I expect the Zips in the 6-10 range. 6 - 15 range, I would say. The important thing is to be ranked in the top four come tourney time in order to get home field throughout.

I was down there right about the time of your posting, oddly enough. Construction definitely happening with a back hoe, a cement truck, steel I-beams, etc. It looks like what most of us suspected: The bleacher backed seats are expanding to the right and left (west and east) of the press box section. I presume the permanent restrooms will go beneath that. Somebody tell me different. On a somewhat unrelated note: Has anyone received their tickets in the mail yet?

My guess is as follows: Mattocks HolmesQuinn Walls Trapp CaldwellMayer Barson Gallego YedlinHonestly the only newcomers I would bet my life on starting are Mayer and Gallego. Everyone else I could theoretically see a scenario where they don't.I can't see Quinn or Walls transferring unless they were guaranteed a starting spot. Quinn was the MVC Freshman of the Year and a Freshman AA while Walls is in his last year of eligibility.BTW, very well done on the infographic. I love those things.This was my exact prediction! If two people guessed it, that means it will certainly be true! I agree with your thoughts on Walls and think they apply to Holmes too. If you have only one season left of eligibility and you are starting at your school, why would you transfer if you don't expect to start? Because honestly, in Porter's system, to not start is really to not play, he doesn't like to rely on excessive substitutions. These guys are trying to get big attention by being at a big program in their last seasons so that they have a shot at the pros, and they're not going to get that shot from the bench.I agree with point about transfer eligibility. There is no reason for upperclassmen to transfer except for guaranteed starting spot. That likely ensures that Quinn and Walls start. Holmes definitely starts no matter how you slice it. He is that good. I agree with lineup you two propose, and you are very likely correct. However, suppose this Barrett is something special up top. Hard to believe Porter is bringing in another Jamaican forward just to sit bench. Otherwise, why not Tulloch? That would move Holmes back to his more natural position of AMid.Mattocks – FBarrett, Chiu? - FHolmes – MTrapp – MCaldwell – MHere is where it gets dicey!Balogun, Bonilla, Brenes, Portillos, Quinn, Walls? – MMayer, Afsarifard? - DBarson – DGallego - D Yedlin – DPersonally, I like Balogun at D rather than M.As much as I hate to mention it, Speas’ departure at least makes more sense now. I will know much more once I watch practice, providing I have the time, and providing they allow it.What is with all these GKs? Meves is officially on notice!

With a championship program and a positive Learning Environment both on & off the field at UA, Porter will continue to attract STUDENT-Athletes. 1. STUDENT-Athletes are able to garner Academic grants to complement partial scholarships. 2. Transfers are willing to leverage Student Loans & partial scholarships for the opportunity to be noticed at a high level here. 3. We are now in the position to do what the ACC schools have done within the NCAA system for yearsjohnnyzip84, SouthernRoo has provided the same answers I would have. The appropriate petition to the NCAA is to increase 9.9 scholarships to at least a full team.

I agree. The other defections can be sustained, but I do not understand how the Zips are better without Speas. Yes, he has a more direct style than most Akron players, but that was a valuable change of pace, especially off the bench. Actually, had I been the coach, Ben would have started LAST year. I have yet to see Chiu play, but Holmes is more Ampai than Nagbe in my estimation.

Pete Milich George Nanchoff Simon Spelling Shaun Docking Steve Zakuani Darlington Nagbe Some of the most talented played only one or two years. J. B. Amogua (sp)? And yes, I think Evan Bush was a better collegiate keeper than David Meves. Meves will need to be stellar this year for Zips to succeed.

I like the mettle of this little guy. He will not back down from anyone.

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.

To where is Speas transferring?

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. If this is true, Speas is a major loss. All the other defections can be sustained. I wonder at the circumstances surrounding this.

I love it, Dave! Akron has always cared about the sport. It is relatively new that Ohio State does as well. The Buckeyes have come very far very fast. And OSU hates that an in-state school beats them at ANYTHING. Make no mistake about it, OSU is UA's greatest soccer rival. For the longest time, Akron ruled Ohio State because Akron landed better players, plain and simple. That dynamic has changed in the last decade. The quality of players recruited is now comparable. In fact, it is often the very same players. That is why the annual Ohio Derby is so crucial, probably more so for Akron. OSU badly wants to beat Akron, so much they can taste it, BUT Akron absolutely must beat OSU! It is imperative to the survival of the program. Should OSU start to win the recruiting war, Akron's dominance is over! Only gap between the two programs now is style and coaching, and (obviously) execution on the field.

On the bottom is my email to the editor of College Soccer News regarding their list of 14 top collegiate soccer rivalries. On the top is CSN’s same day reply to my email. Thank you for taking the time to write us and for the opportunity to respond. Thank you also for the ticket offer. That would be a great match-up to attend but we are already committed to be elsewhere that week. We plead guilty to never having seen in-person the Akron - Ohio State contest but we did do a lot of research including direct communication with a lot of people including folks from Akron before making the selections we made. It was on our short list (at least give us that) but was left off in large part as you have pointed out because Akron has so dominated the series. Your description and the information you provided makes a good case for it being included so maybe we missed one by not including it. Sounds like we might have gotten a different response if we had talked to the people from Ohio State. Akron is a great program with so many good things happening that are also great for college soccer. Thanks again for the information you provided and the opportunity to respond. Bob Bradner, Editor, College Soccer News -----Original Message----- Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 1:21 PM To: editor@collegesoccernews.com Subject: The Top 14 Rivalries In College Soccer Importance: High Time permitting in my life; I would like to attend each of the rivalries listed in your entertaining article. However, it is profoundly inexcusable that you would entirely omit Akron/Ohio State from you arbitrary 14 top collegiate soccer rivalries. I do not know what your criteria for this list are, but it would be difficult to believe that you have personally witnessed the Ohio Derby before, and yet excluded it from your list. Akron has commanded the series all-time for 50+ years. Still, the series has tightened considerably during the last decade, with many draws and a few OSU victories. The Buckeyes rightly believe they should reign preeminent within the state of Ohio, regardless of the sport. It galls them that a MAC school like Akron routinely beats them. Recent highlight is the 2008 rematch tilt during the NCAA tourney, won by Akron 2-1 in double OT. See 2010 draw in Columbus before record setting crowd of 8,000 fans. Match ended Zips consecutive streak of not surrendering a goal. These are all hotly contested, if not downright dirty, matches, with enough cardings to fill the book. On the line is future recruitment of exact same high school prospects within the state of Ohio. OSU coach Bluem earned his Master's degree @ Akron in 1984. There are innumerable ties. Hence, the Ohio State match is arguably the most important on Akron's schedule each year. As a Zips season ticket holder, I have your ticket should you choose to attend W/9/28/2011 for the latest installment of the Ohio Derby. Newly anointed Cub Cadet Field will be hopping! Please advise soon. Kudos for taking this on, fknbuflobo. I have wanted to do so, but just don't have time. I'd add that outside the soccer realm, we are the red-headed step-child compared to OSU. They are the flagship university and we compete with them for academic programs and state resources as well. The soccer rivalry is one of the few situations where we clearly have the upper-hand. Also, the 2008 NCAA Tournament double OT victory over OSU and the game being played at St.V was a huge factor in one of the biggest injustices in NCAA history when our following "home" game against Northwestern was moved to their field. Overall dominance or not, these things justify a major rivalry, especially of late with both programs on the national stage. That 2008 NCAA Tourney 2OT victory is unforgettable! Zemanski and Nagbe were stalwarts that match. Please do not mention the subsequent NCAA screwing; it still makes my blood boil. On the bright side, that injustice was the beginning of my periodic and persistent harassment of the AD to upgrade Lee Jackson Field. Look what that got us!

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. Yes, CSU beat us, but I wouldn't say they "manned-up". More like they played better than normal and we over looked the game and played down to them. It was a total fluke. A single game does not justify a rivalry. CSU is not our strongest rival, OSU is! I think OSU may be our strongest in-state opponent. But with an all time series record of something like 6-24-3 (off the top of my head, but I believe that's close) they just don't seem like a rival to me. It's giving their program too much credit. I think Penn State/UA is a better rivalry. But that's just me. I enjoy whipping both. If we're gonna go with an out of state rival, I'd say Indiana Historically, Indiana is Akron's biggest rival, making 2010 tourney victory all the more sweet.

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. Yes, CSU beat us, but I wouldn't say they "manned-up". More like they played better than normal and we over looked the game and played down to them. It was a total fluke. A single game does not justify a rivalry. CSU is not our strongest rival, OSU is! Remember that day 10/30/2010 was extremely windy with strong gusts.

Bravo, #8!

On the bottom is my email to the editor of College Soccer News regarding their list of 14 top collegiate soccer rivalries. On the top is CSN’s same day reply to my email. Thank you for taking the time to write us and for the opportunity to respond. Thank you also for the ticket offer. That would be a great match-up to attend but we are already committed to be elsewhere that week. We plead guilty to never having seen in-person the Akron - Ohio State contest but we did do a lot of research including direct communication with a lot of people including folks from Akron before making the selections we made. It was on our short list (at least give us that) but was left off in large part as you have pointed out because Akron has so dominated the series. Your description and the information you provided makes a good case for it being included so maybe we missed one by not including it. Sounds like we might have gotten a different response if we had talked to the people from Ohio State. Akron is a great program with so many good things happening that are also great for college soccer. Thanks again for the information you provided and the opportunity to respond. Bob Bradner, Editor, College Soccer News -----Original Message----- Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 1:21 PM To: editor@collegesoccernews.com Subject: The Top 14 Rivalries In College Soccer Importance: High Time permitting in my life; I would like to attend each of the rivalries listed in your entertaining article. However, it is profoundly inexcusable that you would entirely omit Akron/Ohio State from you arbitrary 14 top collegiate soccer rivalries. I do not know what your criteria for this list are, but it would be difficult to believe that you have personally witnessed the Ohio Derby before, and yet excluded it from your list. Akron has commanded the series all-time for 50+ years. Still, the series has tightened considerably during the last decade, with many draws and a few OSU victories. The Buckeyes rightly believe they should reign preeminent within the state of Ohio, regardless of the sport. It galls them that a MAC school like Akron routinely beats them. Recent highlight is the 2008 rematch tilt during the NCAA tourney, won by Akron 2-1 in double OT. See 2010 draw in Columbus before record setting crowd of 8,000 fans. Match ended Zips consecutive streak of not surrendering a goal. These are all hotly contested, if not downright dirty, matches, with enough cardings to fill the book. On the line is future recruitment of exact same high school prospects within the state of Ohio. OSU coach Bluem earned his Master's degree @ Akron in 1984. There are innumerable ties. Hence, the Ohio State match is arguably the most important on Akron's schedule each year. As a Zips season ticket holder, I have your ticket should you choose to attend W/9/28/2011 for the latest installment of the Ohio Derby. Newly anointed Cub Cadet Field will be hopping! Please advise soon.

G Meves D Barson F Mattocks You got three.

Ok thank you, I wasn't quite sure if Xavier had made the tournament last year. Well, it will be another good test for us then. Damn! It's funny (in more than one sense) reading this description. I remember not very many years ago, when "we were Xavier" -- just making the NCAA tournament was considered a successful season. Do not forget how far we have come! And that there is just one Coach Porter BTW, Xavier has a very fine player from Jackson HS -- one of the state's best players in HS, who was "not good enough" for Akron. I live in Jackson and I believe F Danny Baraldi has signed with Bowling Green, so we will see him this year nonetheless. Weather permitting, I will be at the Xavier scrimmage.

First off, nice turnout for a spring match. A lot of schools would love to see that many people at a regular season match. Game play was sloppy at best today. I didn't see the Zips string together a lot of passes like we're used to. That will come with time and chemistry. Our back line was pretty bad today. Hopefully the freshmen can really step up this fall. Porter tried a lot of different looks today. At one point there were 8 mids on the field with Barson, Mattocks and Meves the only guys truly in their positions. At the time Speas was up top and Holmes was tucked back in the midfield which I found interesting. A few of the individual performances that I remember well enough to write about: Mattocks: Same old Darren. Flashy on the ball. Loves to have the ball at his feet at run at guy. Needs a lot of maturity for this team to do well this year. Seemed to be a me first guy for a majority of the match. Needs to learn to pass the ball instead of doing it all himself. Great shot on the goal from outside the box. Holmes: I really like what I saw out of Holmes. He had a great shot on goal from a header that was cleared by a UM defender. Had another shot on goal that bounced off the downed defender over the goal. Looked cool and calm on the ball and my first impression was that he can be a major contributor for this team. Stevenson. Started at right-back and shifted left late in the game. looked really good in joining the attack and I think that he could fill in for Kofi well in that role. Unfortunately, he was weak in defense and from my angle, I think he was partially responsible for the first goal. Jacob, I like your breakdown. Allow me to retort. F: Mattocks is truly a natural finisher seeking to refine his game. I think he is becoming a more willing and accurate passer. His score was a real cracker! Speas is not the starting forward; though he can get minutes there, he belongs in the midfield. Navarrette did not show much in limited time. I was disappointed about that. Where was Tulloch? M: I was wondering if Holmes would fill the gap left by Nagbe; he will not. Instead, Holmes will fill the gap left by Ampaipitakwong (with better finishing). Great seeing Holmes finally out there, especially when he was a bit chippy in that scuffle. Brenes was OK winning the ball, though he should have done better with that chance in the first half. Otiveros was generally disappointing. His tackling was bad, his passing was bad, and he could not settle the ball on a windy day. I hope he improves. Caldwell was the same. Balogun is a strong tackler, but his passing is inconsistent. Perhaps Balogun would be better suited in the defense rather than holding mid. D: The back line was awful. Maryland is a quality side, no doubt about it, but they made us look really bad. Stevenson does not belong back there, nor does Schmitt. Culbertson looks like he may develop eventually. Where was Afsarifard? Dagilis was surprisingly bad at knowing when to clear, when to settle, when to pass back, etc. Barson was the same. I sure hope things look different with Yedlin and Gallego. Otherwise, this will be a long season. Can someone please confirm that Genovese and Diaz have left the program? I am particularly sad to see Genovese leave. I was really rooting for him.