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Tank, I agree with everything you say except Kitchen going pro this year. He will turn pro after next year. Even so, talented freshmen will need to earn their playing time.

It is not too soon to look forward to next year as it appears the Zips will change over significantly. Gabriel Genovese is a very intriguing prospect. The guy can run like a deer. I want to see him with ball on foot. Perry Kitchen will almost certainly move to center back. Will Trapp will likely push to start immediately.

Another Defender here! Yes, I too wonder why Sarkodie and Barson are not invited as well, especially Sarkodie. Barson is rock solid, like you say. Sarkodie has amazing athleticism and skill. I predict Sarkodie to go to Full National Team soon. He may be 20 years or older; he is a Junior. One thinks that Chad Barson deserved an invite. While extremely talented, Valentin is sometimes wild back there, taking unnecessary chances. Barson and Kitchen have the mindset of central defenders, but Valentin strikes me as more of a wing back, similar to Sarkodie. BTW, wing back is where Valentin plays on the U20 team. Sarkodie and Valentin enjoy taking risks, and they are good at it. In fact that may very well be the lineup next year, providing everyone returns. Imagine Valentin moving into Korb’s vacancy on the right and Kitchen moving back into central defense, where he plays on the U20 team. That would make the best back line in NCAA history, superseding, of course, this year’s back line. I think Brenes will start at Holding MF next year, but not sure if he can hold it down alone like Kitchen did. Kofi, Zarek, please give us ONE more year! The MLS will still be there. The primary defensive aspect to shore up this off-season is Meves collecting long balls played into the box. That is David Meves’ only weakness.

Well said, Zach. Welcome aboard, all you newcomers! Even LeBron. I believe that we have won.

Great God Almighty! Now I forgot the argument............

It is absurd to defend the most popular sport in recorded history; the game requires no apology. Nevertheless, I cannot resist the bait. The least intelligent contributions are half-baked suggestions on how to fix Soccer. Futbol does not need fixing. The rules are more than 100 years old, akin to Baseball, steeped in tradition. These rules should not change for any short term interests. Like most, I hate penalty kicks deciding matches, but the rules have stood for numerous generations. Leave it alone. Yes, a slightly different athletic skill set pertains to each sport, Soccer included. But overall, the best athletes achieve the most, regardless of the sport. The assertion that America is not putting its best athletes into Soccer may still be true but it is slowly changing. Certainly, Chad Johnson could have played Soccer at some level. From previous posts here, it seems that he did. Conversely, I am certain that Kofi Sarkodie could have been a stellar corner back, should he have chosen. I often imagine an athlete such as Eric Metcalf playing Soccer. Scoring and excitement are not equivalent. There is arguably more drama in the near misses when scoring is comparatively rare. Dave in Green posted a very objective response to this last weekend’s matches. In Soccer, merely maintaining possession of the ball is difficult enough. There are constant and subtle nuances during every Soccer match. It is the same for all sports. Some of the best NFL games I can remember are 13-10 white knucklers. My interest as a spectator is in the athletic struggle. Soccer has more in common with other sports than it does unique qualities. Athletics is athletics.

Seriously? NC State? C’mon man. If Porter did not leave to take the Indiana job, I cannot see NC State.

Like whatever sport you want, as will I. In the grand scheme, Soccer (Football) does not need America; it is doing fine without us. I think that fact vexes many Americans. I am certain that had I been born on the north side of Lake Erie instead of in Akron, I would have grown up with skates and a stick instead of boots and shin-guards. But I was born here, and I started following Akron soccer when George and Louie Nanchoff were playing in the Rubber Bowl before ACME Zip games (1976-77?). I am extremely proud of our team and of this city’s love for it. Nothing can remove the smile from my face in the short term. I believe that we have won.

Here is where your fallacy lies: You are comparing a depiction of someone playing soccer well to someone playing three other sports poorly. One must not be in fantastic physical condition to play any of these sports poorly. Conversely, one must be in shape to play any of these sports well. If you think that beer-gut soccer leagues do not exist, even here in Akron, you are mistaken. Check http://www.gaasa.org/ Men’s Open Division. Every Sunday has beens and never was’s shamble about, fouling each other, occasionally scoring a goal. This phenomenon is common throughout the world, across cultures, and across languages. I have heard that 90% of all adult male Dutch belong to an organized league. Are all these at fighting weight? I seriously doubt it. When the snow clears, go to some reasonably flat, grassy space, partake of your favorite beverage, and knock the ball around with someone else. As you discover the subtleties of making the ball do your bidding, you will come to the realization that striking and receiving the ball is really fun. And you can conduct this activity anywhere in the world, language notwithstanding. Soccer is not an elitist sport. To the contrary, it is the most populace sport in human history. Anyone can just go play soccer. However, precious few of us can play soccer, football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and etc. well.

Prez, Well done for years! Feel good now, don't it? Let us challenge these players to stay together for another championship. I certainly cannot blame anyone for turning pro, but they have the opportunity to do something transcendent here. If they turn pro, I will root for them in the MLS (or Europe). There are many fine recruits coming in, not to mention really good players that saw little to no playing time this year. Sarkodie – could go pro but won’t – future doctor – next to full national team Nagbe – most likely pro - LOVE him to play senior year, Mid-Fielder in pros Nanchoff – will play senior year, especially if Nagbe stays Valentin – could turn pro, but should play another year – PLEASE Zarek. Kitchen – fine player - heart of the team - needs another year Mattocks – natural finisher – still learning – not yet ready for pros Ampaipitakwong, Korb, Paez – Akron will always love you. Thanks and good luck.

I believe that we have won!

Looking for an answer..... Are we wearing dark blue today?

R.I.P., Barb. Are we wearing the dark blue today?

BH it is.

This is the match where Porter should pull another MF into the holding position. Michigan is all offense. They are excellent in the offensive third and will shoot at the slightest chance. If we stall their attack in the middle 3rd, the match is ours. Akron 3 Michigan 1

If we are fortunate enough to beat Michigan, do not wish for Louisville in the final. Cardinals are a quality side, even better than California. Akron 3 Michigan 1

Based on that thread posted today, I will go to the Barley House Friday. We called ownership out, and the Barley House has answered.

Which of these establishments are committing to the big screen with the audio turned up?

Describe "playing"?.?.?............ Any quote from the Wire deserves major props.

***************** Good post 72 Roo. Morgante may never referee another match at this level. 1. Meves continues to struggle with long balls. He redeemed himself in PKs, but he has made me nervous since Cleveland State. Meves will need to find previous form for Zips to win it all. 2. Conversely, Bingham is a definitely a future pro, maybe the best amateur keeper I have ever seen. Seriously. 3. Yes, Cal was the most complete team to visit Akron in several years. They also seemed to play tough yet fair, contrary to their preceding reputation. 4. Ampai is the embodiment of what has become the Akron possession style of play, for better and for worse. Problem is that teams have studied film on him. Without legitimate striking ability, he loses effectiveness as defenses simply herd him in a chosen direction. He will need to be less predictable for Akron to take the trophy, and also for him to be productive at the next level. 5. Why is Soccer playing in December? The season should be moved in 2 or 3 weeks. Championship should be played in November. Cal’s more physical front line gave our defenders fits in the frozen conditions. With our current style and personality, this last match was not much of a home field advantage. Leading to next point………. 6. God bless the AK Rowdies! Shame on us old folk that have clamored for a new stadium for decades! So, we finally get proper seating, and then fail to show up in a major way. Yes, Saturday should have been a new attendance record. I did my part. 7. Hopefully, the next stage of Lee Jackson renovation will continue as planned, adding grand stands to either side of the new one. Also planned are fixed bathrooms within the structure. I believe that additional grandstanding should be general admission. I would love a response from someone on this. 8. Who were the MLS scouts? Did you recognize anyone besides Agoos? I did not spot any MLS scouts even though I made several laps before, halftime, and after. I must be looking in the wrong places. 9. We are not 6 goals better than Michigan. Recall that they were very competitive with us before they simply melted down and quit. They are the hot team right now. What makes Michigan dangerous is their eagerness to shoot. They are superb in the final third. Akron must slow Michigan’s counter attack in the middle third where they are not nearly as efficient. 10. Watch-out for Louisville!

Who the hell is going to a bar to watch an 11:00 pm kick-off? No one in EST can do that, at least, not old people like me.

For those of us unable to attend, where is the best establishment in which to watch Friday's match? Are we 8:30 or 11:00?

Surely you jest! For cheering? Seriously? Officials are not supposed to cheer, ever. Weird.

In my many decades watching this sport, I have never seen a linesman ejected by the head referee. OK, so Porter was giving him a hard time. Big deal! It was surreal watching the official escorted out. Anyone have additional information?

inf: to clatter Clattering is the sound made when futbol boots meet in anger. To clatter someone is to tackle them ferociously. See Perry Kitchen.