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@zipsmsoc RCB Barson, Strachan, Ritaccio, Ruhaak Chad Barson is currently the Ohio State Buckeyes men's soccer director of operations. His senior year in 2012 he was named NSCAA First team All-American. He was first team all MAC 2010-2012. Oh yeah, he was NCAA Champion in 2010. I think he was academic All-American all four years at Akron. Along with Caldwell and Meves, Barson marks what history will likely regard as the Golden Age of Zips MSOC. I hope that is not true, but…. And what about that goal-mouth save in the waning moments of the title match over Louisville!?!? Daniel Strachan has somehow managed to remain underrated even after three exceptional years. This may be that he has essentially played three different positions over that time. I am a card-carrying, charter member of the Daniel Strachan fan club. Ask anyone who sits near me. As RCB, Strachan can only really offer his freshman campaign in 2017. He and Moutinho forged a fantastic freshmen tandem at CB, each playing off the other’s strengths while hiding the others weaknesses. Strachan started 2018 coming off the bench, but for the stretch run of nine straight victories, Strachan started most of that time at LCB, with RItaccio as his partner. Strachan played DM most of 2019. He was named captain of the squad in 2019. The highly touted Carlo Ritaccio has logged two very solid years at RCB from 2018-2019. He was named captain of the squad in 2019 and is expected to be there once again. Carlo is truly a natural leader. Ritaccio was named 2018 Freshman of The Year by Top Drawer Soccer. Carlo needs to work on his passing out of the back. Carlo is an exceptionally hard tackler on the ball. He is also pretty good at winning headers. Both Barson and Strachan are excellent ball handlers and fine passers. Barson is probably a bit quicker, and definitely faster in a straightaway race. Strachan is bigger and more physical. Strachan is probably a bit better in the air. Both are very unselfish, team-oriented players. Nuts & Bolts. FINAL ANALYSIS: There is not very much daylight between Barson and Strachan. But my choice is the more decorated player who has a championship ring. And Daniel Strachan only played RCB one of his three years. I choose Chad Barson. Having said all that, the RCB with the highest potential among these contenders is Carlo Ritaccio.

@zipsmsoc RB Sarkodie, Yedlin, Abdul-Salaam, Shultz All four contenders have enjoyed professional careers. During this last decade, RB has become a glory position on Zips. MLS scouts are keen to see who plays RB for Akron. Go figure. Kofi Sarkodie had a breakout junior year in 2010. On October 19, 2010, he recorded his first career hat trick against the University of Michigan. He finished with eight goals and six assists on the way to a College Cup championship for the Akron Zips. Sarkodie was awarded ESPN Academic All-America of the Year, NSCAA All-America First Team, Soccer America Player of the Year, Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Season First Team, College Soccer News All-America First Team, College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player, College Cup All-Tournament Team, and his third straight First Team All-MAC. Sarkodie was a 2010 finalist for Hermann Trophy. DeAndre Yedlin, an All-MAC First Team selection, finished 2011 with one goal and six assists while starting 20 of 23 matches. The speedy right back recorded his first goal as a collegiate against the Buckeyes and set up four game-winning strikes for Akron, including wins at Cal State Northridge, Tulsa, Bowling Green and Florida Atlantic. Without researching further, I believe Yedlin was also All-MAC First Team in 2012, his sophomore season. He again tallied six assists. On this Zips All Decade team, it should be about time spent playing in the Blue & Vegas shirt, during 2010–2019. Sarkodie was a better player in 2010 than Yedlin was in either 2011 or 2012. In the 2010 NCAA Semi Final vs. U of Michigan, everyone remembers Perry’s long range goal. Watch that match again. What turned the emotional tide in that match came minutes before that goal. It was Kofi Sarkodie’s bone crushing slide tackle on the offensive right sideline. Maybe should have been a card, maybe a red card. Also recall that Yedlin was (purportedly) benched on more than one occasion by Coach Caleb Porter. For reasons unknown. Now, comparing the professional careers of these two players inarguably favors Yedlin. DeAndre has been capped dozens of times (62?) for USMNT. His professional accomplishments are too numerous to list here. Yedlin’s professional career is seven years and counting, whereas Sarkodie’s professional career may be finished. These two gentlemen are among the nicest, and most interesting to ever play for Akron. Both are very entertaining conversationalist. These two were both present at the Caleb Porter celebration party in December 2012, as was I. Never passing on an awkward question, I asked them both “Who would win in a footrace between you two?” They were standing side by side at the time. They looked at each other, and both dismissed my question with a hand wave. Funny, right? No. The funny part is that each player independently sought me out later in the party, each whispering that they were confident that they would win that race. True story. FINAL ANALYSIS: Kofi Sarkodie is the reasoned choice at RB, based on achievements while at Akron. But I have no problem with DeAndre Yedlin gaining election.

Revealing is today, and my rant is definitely due.

Yeah. But you didn’t show in Pittsburgh.

DarNag should still be in the discussion for USMNT! No?

How did Mattocks and Nagbe simultaneously occupy the exact same position?

We now have only four slots remaining. Right? And no member of the 2010 NC team has yet been elected? This poll completely lacks credibility. Same poll should be conducted on this website. That would render more representative results, I’d wager.

Was Bryan Gallego not Great Lakes Region First Team and All-MAC First team and NSCAA All-America Second Team in 2013? Apparently, that was not good enough to be one of the four finalists for LCB. I believe Joao Moutinho won that spot on the All Decade team, and I have no problem whatsoever with that. But doesn't Gallego merit some recognition?

Well, this Team Of The Decade Twitter debacle has gone from shamefully misguided to laughably absurd. I have not yet spoken out because I am loathe to denigrate current players. Skye Harter has drawn the unlucky short straw in that regard, having recently depleted his eligible years. (Sorry Skye; love you, man!). BUT who among you believes Skye Harter had a Zips career equal to Aodhan Quinn’s? Manuel Cordeiro’s? MUCH, Much, much less the Zips career of Richmond Laryea! Who would you pick first on your team for 6v6 rotating scrimmage? Seriously. Unfortunately, local boy Skye Harter is probably fourth on this list of four. He might say so himself. And yet Harter leads the poll! Surely! You! Jest!

And Freshman Jordan Seaman #12 acquitted himself well, starting at RB. He had a few questionable plays, but he also made a few brilliant plays. He seems a Defender with a mind for offense, rather than an Midfielder repurposed to play along the back line. He will use either foot, which is huge in my book. Today’s performance makes me want to see more.

Egbo over Mattocks?

#6 shirt has recently become available.

By mandating a 4-3-3, they will force all of us to play Nagbe out of position at F. Nagbe supposedly played F with Zips, but it was a withdrawn Forward position.

https://www.buildlineup.com/shared/5e3a01bf138c092e24aef106

Definitely in.

I had thought Ben Zemanski had already graduated. Well done, nonetheless.

Wil Trapp. One L. Two Ps. Magma Cum Laude!

Is there any possibility of Jason Shokalook graduating high school over the summer of 2020? Just asking.

Marcel looked really fit when we briefly saw him after the MAC tourney. Unfortunately, no one was really enthusiastic about talking to him. Not at all his fault; the timing was bad.

I still filled out a bracket on Big Soccer. Can you say "junkie", boys and girls?

Sure would be a swell night for a footie! Perfect weather.