fknbuflobo

Certainly, graduation is significant. Ampai is/was an A student, correct? Has he already graduated? Or is he scheduled to graduate in the spring?

Does phase 3 also include additional grandstand seating?

When will players' names be placed on back of jersey? We would be the first collegiate soccer team to do so. What a statement THAT would make! No worries; Ampaipitakwong has exited the program.

It's Caleb Porter and his incredible coaching. That's why my grandson is coming here from Seattle. bisbee, Yedlin is your grandson? Are you from around here?

I simply mean to echo that Zakuani deserved the 2008 award. Leave it to me to find something to bitch about.

The award is well deserved. Darlington has been, is, and will be an excellent overall asset to any side. He was the best and most consistent player on the 2010 Zips. (A nod must also go to Perry Kitchen.) Teal Bunbury’s winning the award last year is open to greater dispute, in my opinion. Nagbe will play offensive MF (in the hole) in the pros, similar to Ampai’s role with on the Zips. It will be exciting to see how he fits into the national team picture. Congrats, Dar! You will never pick-up the check in this town. To MDZip’s point: I cannot immediately recall who beat out Steve Zakuani for the 2008 Hermann Trophy.

I invited Drew Carey to an NCAA match (Indiana) via Seattle Sounders website email. No surprise that he did not reply.

According to this mock draft, 7 Akron Zips are to be taken in the first 25 picks. Wow! Caleb Porter has managed to do more than win Akron’s first national (team) championship. He has revived the significance of collegiate soccer as a whole. The pros are watching Akron closely and the National Team will soon follow suit. The center of amateur soccer in America is currently Akron, Ohio.

I beg everyone’s pardon for how corny this sounds, but I am serious (for a change). Outback Steakhouse should buy the naming rights for Lee Jackson. Imagine the marketing possibilities of an Australian restaurant chain matched with a kangaroo mascot.

Someone please research NCAA position on Generation Adidas. Is GA regarded in same manner as simply leaving before graduation?

Yeah. $90k is not nearly enough for me to play soccer for a living. No way.

Kitchen is the one that hurts most. I suppose if his goal was to play collegiate soccer, he would have gone to Indiana. His goal was to turn pro, so he attended Akron instead.

“Not ending a sentence with a preposition is a bit of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put.” - Winston Churchill Too bad Can't State no longer fields a men’s soccer team for us to beat.

I have watched this team since 1977. Kofi is probably my all-time favorite Zip futboler. He will be sorely missed. While we are at it……. List All- Time Zips back four: Simon Spelling, Matthew Smith, Corey Sipos, Kofi Sarkodie

That is a cool idea. Who has hard media copy of this season? the College Cup? goal highlights? whatever. I want to retain as much as possible.

I agree, i could see us running the 2009 formation with Perry ( if he stays ) and Scotty in the middle like a Ben zemanski and Blair Gavin, bc perry is more defensive, and Scotty is more possession. Can you fill those of us who weren't here in on how the earlier formations differ from 2010's? 2009 was a basic 4-4-2 formation, perhaps a 4-4-1-1. The wing backs routinely overlapped into the offensive third, just as they continued to do in 2010. That is the style Porter teaches. Zemanski and Gavin, both holding midfielders, were singularly and unbelievably replaced by Kitchen, a freshman. Formation recognizably changed to 4-1 (Kitchen) –3– 1 (Nagbe)–1 (Mattocks). I like this formation because of the clear-cut and distinct responsibilities of each position. This was only made possible by the work rate, soccer acumen, and physical toughness of Perry Kitchen. Although perhaps not the best player on 2010 champions (I love saying that), Kitchen is the heart of that team. On a predominantly finesse oriented team, Kitchen is the only enforcer. He will not easily be replaced. God, I hope he remains a Zip one more year. Merry Christmas everyone! Did we all get what we were dreaming of this year? No doubt about Z.I.P. I got to view the first national title win, which many thought was this team's destiny. In reality, it was nothing but years of hard work to become the best at their craft that made this collection the best college futbol had to offer. I think fknbuflobo has it pretty straight. Another year of PK, with what we have coming in, and the amazing leftovers -- Akron is #1 in the preseason again. But on the other hand, maybe we should be grateful that we were able to experience one year of Kitchen's magic. If he were as good a player at another position, like say forward, he would have signed a pro contract earlier -- ala Jack McInerny. I have to think that that fact plays into Caleb's strategy, which seems to be "tie-up the backs first", as they are not just the heart of a winning team, but are less likely to jump straight from youth ball to the pros. Now, let's hope that Andrew Souders doesn't sign a pro contract in the next year-and-a-half. Does Gallego play CB? That will be an unbeatable tandem. And Yedlin on the outside? I hate to say it, but the next three years could belong to Akron. After that it's too hard to know, but I know we'll keep it humble under CP's control. Happy New Year! Ugh, the kids just awakened me to open presents. I could have used an additional hour of sleep. Yes, Z.I.P., I got EXACTLY what I wanted for Christmas - about 13 days ago. To all the Faithful (you know who you are): Merry Christmas and Happy 2011! Much more on futbol later!

Genovese: http://www.flotrack.org/videos/play/339064 His 800m at State http://www.flotrack.org/videos/play/339670 His 4x400m at State (has the anchor leg) Wow. Genovese definitely has wheels. Remember that Gabriel’s stepfather is Michael King, 3-time all-America forward at Farleigh-Dickinson and 20+ year veteran of professional indoor soccer. I believe King was drafted by the Cleveland Force in 1987.

You're joking, right? They're geographically the closest professional soccer team to us and as of next year there will be at least four players on the UA roster who the Crew have right of first refusal to sign. Also, the Crew has N-O-T-H-I-N-G to do with Ohio State (and neither do we for the 1,782,954th time). You'd think you'd want the entire team to be drafted by the Crew so that you could watch them in person more often. Whatever, let the ankle-biting continue... Memo to Columbus Crew: It is exceedingly difficult for fans of Fall sports in Ohio to get down with Black & Gold. Who did the initial market research anyway? We appreciate you resisting the obvious Scarlett & Gray, but B & G elicits an involuntary gag reflex. Feel free to mix in some Orange or something. Change your colors a bit and I will run to order your gear on Eurosport. Until then I will be sporting a Seattle Sounders #11. It is quite nice.

I agree, i could see us running the 2009 formation with Perry ( if he stays ) and Scotty in the middle like a Ben zemanski and Blair Gavin, bc perry is more defensive, and Scotty is more possession. Can you fill those of us who weren't here in on how the earlier formations differ from 2010's? 2009 was a basic 4-4-2 formation, perhaps a 4-4-1-1. The wing backs routinely overlapped into the offensive third, just as they continued to do in 2010. That is the style Porter teaches. Zemanski and Gavin, both holding midfielders, were singularly and unbelievably replaced by Kitchen, a freshman. Formation recognizably changed to 4-1 (Kitchen) –3– 1 (Nagbe)–1 (Mattocks). I like this formation because of the clear-cut and distinct responsibilities of each position. This was only made possible by the work rate, soccer acumen, and physical toughness of Perry Kitchen. Although perhaps not the best player on 2010 champions (I love saying that), Kitchen is the heart of that team. On a predominantly finesse oriented team, Kitchen is the only enforcer. He will not easily be replaced. God, I hope he remains a Zip one more year.

No one has mentioned Richard Diaz Jr.. He scored a boat load of goals for Virginia Rush, a renowned amateur club. In pre-season practice, he looked raw but good.

OK, I disagree a bit on who is staying and who is going pro. It appears that everyone agrees that Mattocks leaving would be terrible for him. I really think Kitchen would make a mistake to leave this early. He needs another year. He surely would get drafted, but he needs more seasoning. It is disappointing to here about Valentin not really attending to academics, but I have heard this elsewhere before. There must be something to it. If that is true, he is gone as he too will surely get drafted. He will play wing back in the pros. I agree that Barson is the anchor of the defense.

The way I see things playing out, much of next year's success depends on Zarek Valentin's decision; he is the linchpin.

This is grade A bologna. There is no way that Nano will be offered GA, Mattocks clearly isn't ready, and while I can see Perry getting offered I still don't think it will happen. Zarek still hasn't committed to anything either. This guy is probably as wrong as the "Soccer Insider" last year that said Porter to DCU was a done deal. I agree with meatwad, trimmy10. If both Valentin and Kitchen stay, Zips win another championship. Nanchoff would be foolsh to leave without first graduating. Mattocks needs to ignore anyone trying to convince him to turn pro after a stellar, yet checkered, freshman outing. Mattocks is definitely NOT ready. Kitchen is more ready than Mattocks, but I would strongly advise both to stay at least another year. The MLS is not the NBA where signing one contract brings independent wealth.

Yes, there are blue-shippers coming in. More will follow as Akron has become the conduit to the pros. But we cannot win the 2011 championship with that much turnover. 3 returning starters? No way.

Just saw this as well...not a complete shocker but definitely good news for the younger Zips/incoming freshmen who will now get an earlier chance to prove themselves. Also, congrats to Kofi and Darlington. Generation Adidas is a great program, and unlike other sports' athletes that leave early, at least these two will still have scholarships waiting for them should they choose to return and finish school. Can you imagine if the NBA had a similar setup? Kofi and Darlington, We would love for you to play your senior years, but your departure is not unanticipated. You both are ready. Good luck with all endeavors! Long suffering Zips will not forget what you have done for us. You will never pick up the check in this town. Akron will always love you.