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That last one hurts.

Yes. #18 Ivan Nikolic deserves more time. Ezana Kasay was in the stands last match, which usually indicates departure from team. I have no details whatsoever on that, but there is definitely a story. All signs point to Allen redshirting. No. I do not think Allen is too slow to play CB, if he plays smart. I like the big guy. Skye Harter has a recurring foot injury, the kind that will not heal by playing. That is no kind of medical opinion and I have no inside scoop. That is just me watching the horse trot before bets are laid on the race. Skye looks hurt. Yes. Return of Marcel Zajac is just what this team needs. Yes. #26 Abdi Mohamed seems like he should be a really good player, but he is not. Not yet anyway. Need to try him at a few different positions. Hell, maybe even RB. Did I miss anyone?

Here is the lineup I propose, from the players I anticipate being available. Zips have yet to solve RB. http://football-formation.com/lineup/69489/proposed-Akron-Zips-9-5-18 Create your own lineup at football-formation.com http://www.goseattleu.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18200&SPID=11523&SPSID=94309&DB_OEM_ID=18200

That was much better effort, but Zips are not a good team right now.

I can see the comparison to Souders. Ritaccio likes to slide- tackle. I have heard that Ritaccio will miss the matches in Seattle.

Well, Strachan will sub for Ritaccio over next two matches. Carlo has been called up to USU19NT. I agree that Milanese must eliminate all the ball handling errors.

I guess Yedlinny's knee feels fine.

?

After a shaky preseason defensively, Lenny Sohn has defended satisfactorily, earning another shot at LB. At least Sohn gets forward in the attack, sending in playable left-footed crosses. We are not seeing anyone do that from RB. But I am not convicted on this point. Pol Hernandez could also warrant another look. Different type players, but still not much daylight between the two. But I am certain that Daniel Strachan should not be RB. That I know. I am done with that experiment. Rarely have I seen a good player look so uncomfortable. We have three CB that are among the best XI on the Team. Ritaccio, Milanese, and Strachan. One out of these three must play HMF if we are to keep our 4-2-3-1. Take your pick. Or change systems.

And because I know you are all clamoring for it, this is what I want to see Saturday. http://football-formation.com/lineup/69386/proposed-Akron-Zips-9-1-18 Create your own lineup at football-formation.com

Do not take the Panthers lightly, Zips fans! https://pittsburghpanthers.com/index.aspx?path=msoc As nearly everyone predicted, Coach Jay Vidovich has turned around this once dismal program. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/staff.aspx?staff=392 While we were stinking up FES/CCF last Monday vs. NCS, Delaware 1-6 Pittsburgh. All this guy did Monday was score a hat-trick. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9825 #9 Edward Kizza has been favorably compared to our #9 David Egbo. Some say Kizza if even better than Egbo. (I don't, but some do.) Regardless... These Cats can play! If Zips exit the locker room unmotivated, like we would rather be doing something else, Panthers will whip us good. Frankly, I cannot guarantee my good behavior should Zips start the season on three consecutive home matches without a win. (You may want to preemptively alert security.) It is time for our team and our coaches to perform with urgency, because the 2018 season hangs in the balance.

I am now officially over Captain Marco Micaletto's gifted strength of foot. (Well, not really.) Yes, Marco sees the whole field well. He knows where the ball should go and has the rare strength and accuracy to get it there, from seemingly anywhere. What a sweet stroke that boy has! But. Just because Marco can deliver a world class long ball does not mean that ball will be received by another world class foot. Many of Micaletto's aerial passes were fumbled out of touch last night. I lost count on how many. On this team, I suggest that Marco would be better suited closer to goal, in the 3 layer of a 4-2-3-1. Let him send those bombs in as long range shots on goal. We may sacrifice some in distribution by deploying Marco further up the pitch. But Zips need to change. Our offense was strangled by NCS last night. Wolfpack did not forward press. And they kept their back line very high. SO, their entire squad was compressed into 35 yards of field length. And then they simply dared us to pass into midfield, which we suddenly suck at doing. How many unforced turnovers did we have? Ballgame.

Simply Deplorable! Worst showing in several years!

All good points. Play this same match come November, and Zips win going away. On to Wolfpack and all those ACC RPI points.

Furman Purple Paladins. Alma Mater of one Clinton Drew Dempsey. Still Suckeyes!

Zips had more quality than Butler, but Bulldogs were more cohesive, organized, disciplined. A very entertaining match, if not an expertly played one. Too sloppy on both sides. I think a few Zips personnel questions were answered vs. Butler. DO NOT SLEEP on #18 Ivan Nikolic! The east end crossbar is still ringing from his titanic blast! He so reminds me of Stu.

Zajac had been poised for a monster junior season, potentially even his last as a Zip. Let us see how his recovery goes. He is a fine young man who has hit a spot of bad luck. Get fit soon, Marcel! Akron’s 2018 championship aspirations are inextricably linked to the health of Marcel Zajac’s toe.

This line-up is an actual PREDICTION. It is not necessarily the squad I would field vs. Butler, but Coach Embick has proven smarter than I am (on several occasions). I am pretty sure on the formation and system. http://football-formation.com/lineup/69187/Akron-Zips-8-24-2018 Create your own lineup at football-formation.com

E Don’t think so. Need to go to rule book to be sure. Anyone? NCAA so whack!

Ritaccio?

http://rpiupdatemenssoccer.blogspot.com/search/label/2018 Gaucho Dan's RPI calculation is more accurate than any other. As repeated annually, NCAA tournament seeding is 95% RPI. http://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/rpi-update-is-updated-for-2018.2085750/#post-37014487

Hoosier GK Trey Muse is regarded by most as best in the NCAA, if not the country as a whole. He is a likely future USMNT. https://iuhoosiers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=9764 I have not yet connected these dots, but it is probable that Zips' GK Tor Saunders knows Trey Muse from them both playing in Sounders youth programs.

Freshmen Milanese and Ritaccio had better sort their shite out! Sloppy play at CB vs. Hoosiers will result in 3-0 drilling. Should that happen, watch for Strachan to move back to CB, and one (both?) of those two to the bench. As a player, if you like gambling, do not choose Center Back as your position. Hardest position in the sport, imo. No room for error.

No way! Really?

Maybe I am just missing the World’s most obnoxiously surly fly-weight, Stuart Holthusen. But freshman Ivan Nikolic #18 sure does remind me of someone. The same moves, the same body language, the sneer. Pure Forward.