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OK... I trust that. I was writing my last reply while you were replying... not very quick sometimes. Means that he misses Tulsa... back for OSU...? By the time he rejoins the team... they should be jellin. I haven't read this thread in it's entirerty, so I'm just jumping in here (forgive me if this has been discussed) but the team will be jelling without Holmes, so there's a danger of him being kept out of the loop for the entire year, no? He'd have to be awfully good to sit out the first six games, and then just jump into a starting/contributing role against Columbus, right? Yes, that is precisely why I am so disappointed. From what I have seen, Holmes is extraordinary. He has talent worthy of post season accolades. However, a team full of new faces will absolutely need to coalesce a soon as possible to be successful, with or without any individual. If Holmes is suspended, he may not contribute in a major way in this his only season with us. This makes his transfer here all the more puzzling. It does not add up that this suspension was anticipated. Why would he do that? Something unexpected happened, making me ask questions. Who has the full story here? Tank?

I'm with you Yaz! People poo-pooed it when I wrote that Schmitt would start this season, but have you actually seen him? He was a real baller, who showed true talent @ Crew Academy in the Development Academy League. Can't wait to see what he's learned from his three seasons of absorbing the Zips' system. Only question is, will Caleb use 2 on top? 4-4-1-1? 4-5-1? 4-4-2?... ANYONE know for sure that Luke Holmes is suspended? Why?

Ando is correct, AO Akron will be at Manny's Pub slamming down a few cold ones before the match this Saturday and all future matches 394 Brown St. On the corner of Brown and Exchange So, the students only "pep rally" in the field-house is scheduled for 5:30, correct? About what time do you think the squad will begin the march to the field?

bump No Box score! Who played in this match vs. Creighton?

Where is Manny's? On the Zip Strip?

They tend to cluster around the east end goal. This is where the AK-rowdies also clump. Zipsnation folks will generally be wearing a National Championship tee shirt. The AK-Rowdies have AK-Rowdies tees. Both will be loud and vulgar. Bisbee, be careful what you ask for. Make sure all your vaccinations are current.

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.

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?

Is this another Porter surprise? Is this the reason Walls left? Medellin, Colombia!?! Z.I.P., where you at on this?

WTF!?! Do not throw my boy, Speas, in there with Walls. This looks like a totally different set of circumstances. I really hope that Walls was not the reason Speas was nudged out in the first place.

I keep waiting for someone to comment on Nagbe's PERFECT assist during Timbers over Galaxy.

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.