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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.

Forty-four degees? Where? Game time temp verses IU was about forty, maybe. When the sun went down at five the temp plunged with it. Post game temp was close to twenty-eight. Update on Saturday forecast: High of 37, low 24 with mostly cloudy skies, no precip expected. That should chill their bones and not take away our footing. Rain/snow is an equalizer. You are correct. Zips do not want an equalizer; we are superior.

Is Gabriel Genovisi (#28?) red-shirting?

It can be argued that the Northwestern hosing was the beginning of the Lee Jackson renovation.

Memories. Who remembers the day before Thanksgiving two years ago @ St. V-M?

Ampai was never a holding MF. He has always been an attacking MF. Before Zemanski became a full time starter, there were other holding MFs. Yes, both Gavin and Zemanski are sorely missed in the D, especially Zemanski. Kitchen is a fine player who will get even better. What a head on that kid! Formation has changed from last year's 4-4-2 to 4-1-3-2, Kitchen at the 1. Not sure of the rationale for that; not sure that it works either. Supposing Porter reverts to a standard 4-4-2 at any point, Reinaldo Brenes is the choice along side Kitchen @ holding MF, leaving Caldwell as a substitute. Actually, I would like to see Speas get more time at the expense of Caldwell, but that might be my Royals bias. Zips have shown abundant defensive weakness down the stretch, especially @ GK. Meves has become so indecisive. Teams cannot out finesse Akron and keep the ball. If they try that, Zips win. However, much like OSU, Indiana is a direct, ball-in-flight team with a physical front line. Will Bruin is a big, rough-n-tumble F, the kind that gives Akron trouble. This does not bode well. Hate to say it. Hoosiers win 2-1. I would love to be wrong.

Yes, Ampai is now classified, in my mind anyway (others can confirm what I'm seeing), simply as an attacking MF. He is rarely back on D to the extent Zemanski and Gavin were last year. There's no doubt that was tweaked in the off season to add more numbers forward. Ben and Blair were almost inseparable on the field by more than 10-20 yards. Ampai is consistently up field while Perry is back waiting for clearances, etc. It's great when we are attacking, however the goals that we have given up in the past few games lead me to believe that the D was supported by the holders just dominating last year and breaking down a lot of attacks before it even got to the D level. Just my two cents. Anyone can feel free to post other observations. Ampai was never a holding MF; he has always been an attacking MF. Before Zemanski became a full time starter, there were other holding MFs. Yes, Gavin, and especially Zemanski, are sorely missed in the D. Kitchen is a fine player who will get even better. You are correct that the formation has changed from a 4-4-2 to a 4-1-3-2 with Kitchen at the 1. I am not sure the rationale behind this. If we reverted back to a standard 4-4-2, Reinaldo Brenes would be the choice along side Kitchen as holding MFs, leaving Caldwell on the sideline. Actually I prefer Speas to Caldwell, regardless of scenario. Zips have shown abundant defensive weakness late in the season, especially at GK. I am not sure why Meves has suddenly shown so much indecision. This does not bode well. Short passing teams cannot out possess Akron; play that game and Zips win. However, Indiana plays a direct, ball in flight style, similar to OSU. This has proven trouble for Akron this year. Will Bruin is just the type of big, rough-n-tumble F that finds success versus the Zips. Pains me to say it, but I predict 2-1 IU. Season over! I would love to be wrong.

OK. Please identify the injured player to which you refer. While we are on the subject of injury, please provide status of Kofi Sarkodie playing @ Michigan State. #8 was sorely missed in loss @ Cleveland State.