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The A-Roo flag came down for the year before High School Soccer even crowned a champion. Sad.

http://United Soccer Coaches Men's Top 25 Poll In the last coaches' poll, published 11/6, Akron was in the category of "also receiving votes". This means that in the eyes of United Soccer Coaches Men's Top 25 Poll, Zips are no worse than the 33rd best team in NCAA. There are 48 teams in the NCAA MSOC Tournament, as has been the format for quite some time. As you know, winners of conference tournaments automatically qualify. In this way, several teams with lower RPI than Akron made the tournament. (Someone can provide that total; I have no doubt.) Nothing unusual here; this occurs every single year. Aside from the automatic qualifiers, every team making the tournament had an RPI greater than 41, where our Zips are. https://rpiupdatemenssoccer.blogspot.com/search/label/RPI Rank The United Soccer Coaches Men's Top 25 Poll heavily suggests that the Zips should be in the NCAA Tournament. RPI indicates otherwise. As they nearly always do, with only rare and notable exceptions, the selection committee again chose according to RPI (outside of automatic qualifiers). Which is more relevant, polls or RPI?

So, what is the % difference between actual selection and RPI? Anyone?

Some players make their choice based on the school itself. Others seek to maximize their chances at hardware. Some are loyal to a team they have followed since childhood. But most NCAA players come for the coach. Period. It is time for Simonetti to engage in retail door to door recruiting. Every quality player in NEO, and there are many, should know about opportunities with Akron Zips.

Congratulations to Walsh Lady Warriors who are yet again state champions. One would sincerely hope that someone from that squad would play for Zips next year.

Check out Gaucho Dan's analysis. Final week analysis | BigSoccer Forum

XAV 1-0 AKR There is no credible way to sugar coat this. Zips are a worse side now than they were in August. Nothing has grown; nothing has improved. If each season is a journey, then this one has been a bad trip. Xavier is a mediocre team. Their strength is in their back four and GK. (In particular I would single out CB #3 Makel Rasheed.) But offensively, Musketeers scare no one. Zips could not (cannot) unlock the stout Xavier defense. Last night, the passes were consistently telegraphed, late, and without conviction. Seemingly gone are the days of three consecutive one-touch passes in the offensive third. Zips offense has become plodding, methodical and predictable. We are easily frustrated. And our defensive concentration wavers when our offense is stymied. Akron's participation in the NCAA Tournament is now dependent upon the charity of the committee. But it is difficult to argue that the Zips deserve one of the 48 slots. Our last victory was October 10th at Cleveland State, nearly a month ago. Since then, Zips have tied three matches and lost two. Our RPI is 38. We finished 7th in a twelve-team league and then failed to win the first-round match of the conference tournament. Our overall winning percentage is just shy of .700, but we are 1-2-4 away from home. Perhaps others on this forum can make a case for Zips qualifying for the tourney. I cannot. It probably does not matter too much anyway since our likely prospects would be traveling for a Thursday match. Players and Coaches always want one more chance to compete, and rightly so. They should want to prove themselves. But as a fan, it might be better to start looking toward Spring schedule. It is not too early to start gathering information on incoming recruits, and contemplating which current underclassmen will get their chances. I especially anticipate watching Caleb Borneo returning from injury and playing for Zips.

If Zips lose @ Xavier, it would make us a bubble team with RPI in mid 40s. A mediocre finish to the season and 7th place in conference is not a favorable resume for an At Large invitation. Zips best take care of business @ Xavier or the season might be over.

Ugh

This is not progress! We never finished 7th in the MAC!

Zips take another step toward their apparent goal of tying every team in the Big East.

In particular, Ashton Kamdem played very well along mostly our left flank. He recorded lots of mileage, getting involved in the offense without neglecting his defensive responsibilities.

AKR 1-1 MAR Zips scored first and second, the second an Own Goal by our senior defender and captain. It happens. Every experienced defender has a story about an OG. A hard fought and physical contest, but Akron is currently lacking quality in the final third. We usually win the match when we shoot 20 times. I fear Zips will remain a pedestrian side until some key personnel return to action.

CRE 3-2 AKR Creighton gave Akron fits with relentless high pressure and composure on the ball when in possession. Bluejays were the better side. Creighton are a better squad than their record indicates. Yes, Zips were missing some key personnel to injury. Too bad; lots of knocks in mid-October. No excuse. There were some questionable no calls on offside on the first two goals. In particular, the second goal had a very offside Bluejay standing directly in front of Zip GK Budler, occluding his vision on the shot. (This is why the "passive offside" rule is ridiculously bad on all levels of the game. Simplify the rule for the referee; they already have too much to watch. On or Off.) Still, No excuse. Zips had to travel to a different time zone to play on a Wednesday. Duh! What exactly did you think joining the Big East would entail? No excuse. Zips hit the frame twice, had 15 Corner Kicks and shot 18(7). In many ways it was just not an Akron night. No excuse. Zips had better get their act together quick or the season is nearly over. Akron need 6 points from the next two matches to have a realistic chance of a prolonged postseason.

I think Zips would win best of three on these Musketeers. Mostly an evenly matched contest, but Zips probably the better side if at full strength.

Meh. In time, this will likely be considered a good result. But right now, it feels nauseating.

Injury to Budler.

Terrible camera angle.

Not after the small fortune I paid for FloFC.

Circumstances and a multiplicity of factors would seem to indicate a Zips loss this Saturday. Everything I know about competitive athletics points to this outcome. Should Zips sustain their first defeat, all is not lost. We would still be a good team. Akron would most likely still gain an NCAA Tournament berth. Once in the Tournament, anything can happen. A draw in this situation would be a positive result, against a quality conference foe, on their pitch, in October. However, should Zips leave Cincinnati with a victory over Xavier, Akron must be considered something more than just another good team. A win in this scenario would announce the Zips as a legitimate contender for the title. It would mean that this squad is special. "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!" Let's Go Zips!!!

I have now seen Joey's injury dozens of times on ESPN+. It looks quite different on the recording, repeatedly in slow motion, than it did in person last night. I no longer believe the kick to Joey's head was intentional. Defender was simply trying to clear the ball from his own goal mouth. The lighting on Kenzler Field is relatively dim compared to most fields at the D1 level. Perpetrator of the kick was probably either #10 Pablo Kawecki or #11 Albert Portas. Not sure which Spaniard it was. The point is that I owe this player an apology for false accusation. I retract my vitriolic diatribe written while still hot from the match. May my sincere apology be accepted in the same spirit it is offered. A word of caution to young players: Do not attempt heading the ball while sitting on the ground, especially not in your opponents’ 6-yard box.

Most in-game adjustments by Zips coaching staff in 2023 have been spot on with both personnel and tactics. Maybe they are improving at their craft. Good.

I have no insider information on Henry. Just sharing what I witnessed. For all I know, he will play Saturday.

Josef Paulus was not the only Zip accumulating scars last night. Malik Henry went down to what appeared to be a left ankle injury. By his reaction hobbling off the pitch, it appears significant. Heal fast, Malik. ZipsNation is behind you 100%.

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