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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.

Diogo Pacheco needs to be on the pitch. I am now certain of it. At whose expense? I am not as sure about that. But Pacheco has earned a look among the first XI.

That was really some storm!

It would be even greater if I were on vacation.

OK. I would like to try out this line-up. This is not the lineup that I predict; this is the one I would try (with my limited knowledge and experience). http://football-formation.com/lineup/68947/Akron-Zips-8-13-18 Create your own lineup at football-formation.com

Niko De Vera is an exemplary Akron Zip. It was heart-warming to see him at the match.

I was watching. It did not look good.

I believe Spanish Freshman Pol Hernandez to be the favorite at Left Back.

It is ridiculously premature to suggest a lineup, with the first official practice starting on Wednesday. Embick sort of dared me to make a lineup, so I did. And I will bet that our base system will be 4-2-3-1. As if Embick is ever going to read this board. Ha! Let us see how accurate I am. To answer your question: Yes. We should be concerned with so much youth starting in the Defense. But for this squad to go very far, freshmen will need to be major players. Reference 2009.

I attended ID Camp Friday and Saturday nights. I commented to Coach Embick that I could not remember having so many new faces in one camp. He replied, sardonically, "I might be asking you for a lineup." Pretending that he was anything but mocking me.....

I do not claim to follow NYCFC. But every time I see that team, JLew comes off the bench to positively influence the match. Instant Impact! His training must really suck. No other explanation for him NOT starting.

DeAndre Yedlin is that rarest of commodity, in sports , in every walk of life. He is very experienced without being old. He is not yet in his prime. Hell Yes; he is a leader for USMNT.

I thought it a great stadium when I was there.

I feel really good about this roster.

Good point.

Obviously.

I only watched the last 30 minutes of this match. JLew absolutely should start for NYC. He completely changed the match upon entering.

A few years ago, Zips' Athletic Department deemed it wise to eliminate the position of Director Of Operations, Soccer. Chiselers. Amateurs. They seemingly cannot recognize real quality, right in their own Athletic Department. So, it is not as though Chad Barson could have been hired by U of Akron. Not at that position, anyway. Buckeyes are poised to dramatically change the trajectory of that program. This will not be your fathers' OSU Soccer. Be advised, Zips' fan. Congratulations, Chad!

We should expect a very productive season from #11 Marcel Zajac in 2018!

And Richmond VA is a cool town to visit.

HBD Nick! Once a Zip; Always a Zip! Come back to visit.

We saw him up close at the UMD match. (I should have spoken to him.) Cat is big, and not just tall. He looks like a linebacker. Hope he got shkills.