fknbuflobo

So I guess that means Luke Holmes of Notre Dame (Ohio). http://www.notredamefalcons.com/news/2010/...1208103501.aspx

All due respect, but I don't think Caleb Porter needs to "save college soccer". The number of MLS players (or for that matter, USMNT players) going the college route, rather than turning pro before 18 is, I'm willing to bet (does Dave in Green have time to research this?) the same as it was a decade ago (MLS began in 1995). As long as university education continues to be a major institution in the US, American footballers are going to continue attending colleges and universities, and playing soccer there. And the college game will continue to -- rightly -- earn a large share of criticism for holding back the US' game at the international level. College soccer's contrast from the pro game -- substitution rules, limited playing time, lack of international-level competition does hold back many players, who in Europe, S. America, etc would be playing versus older players with lots of national and international playing experience. But, kids who have both out-of-the-box athleticism and soccer skills will continue having opportunities to play abroad (or in MLS) at age 18 or sometimes well below. Will Akron's exper(iment)ience change the historic trend of US soccer over the long run? I would love to imagine Caleb's coaching tactics becoming the default for major college soccer programs. But there is still a limit of 9.9 scholarships per DI program. Maybe the best thing Caleb Porter can do is bring attention to the game as a major college sport, deserving of attention from Dave and SkipZip. But can we get those two to a Crew match in 2011? Z.I.P., I respectfully disagree. Did you hear the Glenn Davis interview last night? Thanks Crew8. The relevance and influence of collegiate soccer on the American game has steadily diminished over the past 20 years, reaching a low about five years ago. Reasons for this are ones that you cite - and more. Collegiate soccer has historically failed to consistently prepare players for professional play, and by extension, international play. Needless to say, the ultimate goal of all American soccer fans is for the U.S. to win the World Cup. Open substitution allows for the resting of oversized players who after a 5 minute blow, re-enter the match to tackle hard, kick it far, run fast, elbow someone in the head and hopefully pound in that single goal to win. Generally speaking, this direct style does not translate well to the next level even though it may see limited success in college. The athleticism of the average professional player easily negates such tactics. Even so, this style of play will occasionally prevail in the pros, as exhibited by the 2010 Colorado Rapids. But increasingly, the trend has been for extremely talented players like Jack McInerney to skip college and go straight to the pros because the college game has little to offer them. That is all changing right before our eyes. Though certainly not solely responsible, Caleb Porter is the current standard bearer for the beautiful game. Attacking, short passing, possession soccer is his sermon, and many are converting daily. Porter does not cite the influence of Inter and Bayern; he prefers Arsenal and Barcelona. Thursday’s MLS draft will serve as proof that revolution is in the air. The pros have taken notice of this stylistic shift in collegiate soccer, and the national team soon will follow. College soccer is regaining its relevance and influence on the American game. Shockingly, the epicenter of this movement is Akron, Ohio. The notion sends chills down my spine. Caleb Porter is attempting something greater than simply winning championships with my beloved Zips. He intends to change not only collegiate soccer, but American soccer as a whole. My fear is that his scope is too ambitious and that Akron will suffer because of it.

Count me for one.

Truly inspiring to hear Porter talk about the state of American soccer as a whole. His vision is much greater than collegiate soccer.

Right! All the people I tried to convince into buying season tix last year now want them. UA can sell all additional grandstand seating.

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.