fknbuflobo

Rubbish!

Play FIFA rules/format. Period.

RMU 2-3 AKR FT Presumably due to sloppy conditions, match moved to Joe Walton Field where Robert Morris plays FB, LAX, FH, but not Soccer. There are lines all over the place, none applicable to soccer. And the width is less than 60 yards. It was weird playing with what I think is a LAX Penalty Area. Is the GK out? Who knows!? Like everything else in Pittsburgh, the field is built into the side of a mountain. Easily a dozen balls were sent over the fence during play, possibly gone forever. Malik Henry continues to shine along the right flank with speedy overlapping runs out of defense. What is improving rapidly is his service into the box. The first score of the match was just such a run capped by a (no exaggeration) world class cross onto the head of Jason Shokalook for the score. Sublime! Ryan Kingsford is the Zips' best option at several positions, but his most natural place is in the middle of the 3 in a 4-2-3-1, or in "the hole" as some say. His work rate is off the charts and he sprays the ball all over the pitch with a variety of passing techniques. Kingsford probably passed the ball to every single Zip who saw time. Freshman Stefan Dobrijevic again impressed off the bench, slotting in the winning goal with a right footer to the far post from the left side of goal. Extra drama mid way through the second half when Head Coach Jared Embick was tossed from the match for (justifiably) berating the near side linesman. Not sure, but I think Will Jackson may have been tossed as well. At any rate, WilJax did not return after exiting. It was fairly intense for spring soccer.

Excellent! Have not heard about Shultz in a while.

This is so subversive. I love it! College Soccer is acting in its own best interests, outside the auspices of NCAA. About F’ing time, I say! Times are a changin’! With or without the NCAA. Preferably with. This vote is big.

A very good team victory, in which everyone who played contributed. Jonas Buechte was again outstanding, this time from Center Back position. He organized the Defense, intercepted passes, and made several key tackles that halted counter attacks. He even scored off a restart. Malik Henry was a monster up and down the right flank. His defending was uncharacteristically solid, breaking up opposing offence down the Zips' right. But his half dozen over-lapping runs into the final third were lethal. And unlike last week, his crossing was money. Ryan Kingsford's score was a direct result of Henry's excellent cross. Dyson Clapier again terrorized the opposition defense with well-timed runs and scoring attempts down the left. He was a bit unlucky to have not scored a few times, having beaten his man to goal. He should have finished on at least one of those. Better shooting from Clapier would have ended the match as a contest in the first half.

AKR 3-1 MICH FT

Carlo Ritaccio! Well done!

Anyone have news on Jak Higginbotham?

Yeah. What is up with bringing 1 GK to a double-header? There is a story behind that, to be sure.

CSU 2-4 AKR FT Some regulars disappointed, but I choose to focus on the players who excelled. Jonas Buechte continues where he left off at Holding MF. He is quietly among the best players on the team, winning balls, cutting out passes, disrupting opposition offence, starting Zips offence. CB is probably his best position, but he is our best option at HMF. Those who do not recognize his contribution are not paying attention. Newcomer Joel Sangwa is the real deal at Centre Back. He organizes the Defense well. He anticipates the attack well. He is a judicious and effective tackler. Good speed. Good in the air. Good size. His passing could improve. Dyson Clapier continues to improve right before our eyes. Though not yet our best player, he is arguably the most talented. In this victory he took another developmental step toward becoming a dominant offensive force. Dice just does things most players cannot do, things most do not even try. Consistency throughout the match is his struggle. Oh yeah, he scored 3 goals. ACFC 0-7 AKR FT Full disclosure: I left midway through 2nd half. Props to Akron City for providing cannon fodder for Zips' bench - after existing for 2 whole weeks. Levi Stephens is speedy, light on his feet and decisive. He has been coached very well. His passing shows real purpose and precision. Levi scored on a corner kick header and nearly scored on another just like it. But his well-timed overlapping runs and accurate crosses are what impressed most. I am not sure who will lose playing time, but Levi will see significant first team PT soon. Stefan Dobrijevic is a definite Forward through and through. He plays well with back to the goal, receiving all manner of balls efficiently. He also displayed a variety of shooting skills. Not at all afraid to shoot. Oh yeah, I understand that he scored 3 goals, though I did not see them all. Stefan will also get minutes with first team very soon. I would be remiss in not mentioning Josh Hallenberger. He showed flashes of brilliance in both matches. I need to see more of him.

No. But I sure am curious.

Not at all the case. Match was very competitive, often contentious, throughout. There was even a bench-clearing shoving fiesta at the end. This victory matters in the seeding of this tournament in April. There are stakes. The lack of SID coverage is THEIR fault, not the team’s, not the fans’. You would have been correct in any previous season, but not now. College Soccer is evolving, with or without the NCAA. Too bad our SID is not clued in.

Yedlinny now working for Beckham? A match made in heaven.

I think this is more of the latter. And it is not the only one of its kind. https://umterps.com/news/2022/1/17/mens-soccer-announces-2022-spring-schedule.aspx

Welcome Levi Stephens! How old were you when you attended first Zips ID Camp? ZipsNation already loves Levi!

Look forward to some great things!

Bravo Richmond Laryea!

Four 2021 recruits are highly regarded by TDS. (gozips.com)https://gozips.com/news/2021/12/27/mens-soccer-akron-quartet-earns-tds-freshmen-top-100-postseason-honors.aspx

Welcome Stefan!!

I do not yet know Ashton Kamdem, but I have watched Levi Stephens play many times. Hard for me to believe that there are 80 ~18-year old players better than Stephens. ZipsNation welcomes Ashton and Levi!

I keep forgetting that Navy has won a title.

Certain players in Zips MSOC history are the gold standard at their position by which all who follow are judged. There have been many excellent central defenders in Zips lore, All Americans and NCAA Champions; a few became professional players. None have been as good as Simon Spelling. If you do not understand how dominant he was in the early eighties, you really need to ask some old timers. Remember that Simon was Steve Parker's assistant coach for several excellent squads in the mid to late eighties as well (1986 runner-up). His career coaching at Medina speaks for itself. See above. ZipsNation salutes you, Simon Spelling! We do not forget.

Guess I am rooting for Washington since they have never won it. In fact, Huskies have never before advanced to College Cup. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Division_I_Men's_Soccer_Tournament https://gohuskies.com/sports/mens-soccer

Kentucky is one of a handful of teams with an excellent chance to take the cup. That are all that. But first things first. Fans should not look past Santa Clara. If coaches and players look past any opponent, especially in a single elimination tournament, well then, those fools deserve what they get.