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I said I would get to this. Full Disclosure: Victor Souto has been my favorite player since his arrival. He plays the position, HMF, with which I most identify. Souto is keeping an illustrious tradition. Many fine futbollers have played Holding Midfield for Zips throughout the years. Several of these players are currently maintaining careers in MLS. We all know who they are. Souto plays with attitude and moxie. He is our enforcer on the pitch. But his conduct throughout spring soccer was deplorable, from consistently reckless tackling to haranguing of referees. He garnered one ejection and probably deserved another. Now seen through the lens of an NCAA suspension, his behavior appears maniacal. When did he learn of his suspension? In the spring? If so, he did nothing during the spring campaign but hurt his (and our) cause. At the very least, Victor needs to answer for earning yellow cards for berating the officials during August pre-season exhibitions. This was accomplished in very limited time during each pre-season match. What the hell!?!? With an NCAA suspension imminent, Souto should have been a model citizen on the pitch. I resisted the urge to yell, “Victor, you are outlining the target officials already see on your back!” What is the over/under for Souto yellow cards this season? What about red cards?

To my knowledge there is still no official communication from UA Sports Information Director regarding the suspension of Victor Souto. If the suspension was indeed handed down by the NCAA, as purported, then it is certainly not a private matter. When was the suspension adjudicated? Exactly what was the perpetrated offense? How many regular season matches will be missed? How many post season matches will be missed? Is the MAC Tournament considered post season? The Athletic Department owes us some sort of explanation, however brief it may be.

Zach, can you expound upon this point?

Not as close as score would suggest. Zips outclassed throughout. But for hitting woodwork twice, Lobos could easily have scored 3, maybe 4. Zips never really looked like scoring. 17Macchione needs to see more time. Where is 18Kahsay? Injured? Redshirt? Because I may have already seen enough of 5Radjen. Hope 25Caso is not seriously injured.

Anyone got the feed?

Are you out there? I refer to how the two stadiums, football and soccer, are cojoined.

I trust you "marked" the terrritory. They are suffering a drought, after all. But seriously, that is a pretty cool facility, no?

If pre-season is any indication, Zips will get spanked hard in ABQ tonight. Hank T (Lobos fan): Akron fans, if you're driving to Albuquerque for Friday night's game, it's 1590 miles and 25 Interstate hours campus to campus. The Lobo Soccer Complex field is 5335 ft. above sea level. Weather should be clear, about 80 degrees, 35% humidity, little or no wind at game time (7:00 pm local).

I love ABQ, and UNM is a great venue to watch a match. But I am not going to pay $1K, and take a day off work, just to see Zips get slaughtered.

Oh, I remember that match, all too well. You were there in the flesh, right? I only watched the stream. My major problem is with the flow of information from SID. Surely, an NCAA suspension is newsworthy. My other problem is with Victor Souto himself. I will address that later.

The veracity of Victor Souto's NCAA suspension is apparent. When did MSOC program learn of this suspension? MSOC and/or UA Athletic Department owed the fan base an explanation at the time of this adjudication. Since that is obviously now impossible, it is incumbent upon UA Athletic Department to immediately publish a comprehensive statement regarding the suspension of Victor Souto. Such an expectation is perfectly reasonable and within the function of UA's Athletic Department.

Here is a higher quality, more acurate, blending of collegiate MSOC polls. http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/pre-season-consensus-rankings.2010478/

This may be old news to some, but Friday was the first that I heard of it. Victor Souto #8 is suspended by NCAA for head-butting the referee directly following tournament loss at Marquette in November 2013. His penalty is a whopping 4 regular season matches and 2 tournament matches! Judging by recent history, 2 tournament matches is essentially the entire post season! Someone please confirm this before I go any further down this road.

Interesting. From what I know of both players, I would make Jones one of the two HMFs in 4-2-3-1 and push Caldwell into one the three OMFs.

Just two years ago, we would count consecutive passes, to see if we could reach 50. Most matches, we accomplished this once or twice during play. This somewhat frivolous “pastime” dates back to several years before Ken Lola left. I estimate AD 2000, maybe into the 1990s. Zips now struggle to tie together 5 passes. Way too many long, optimistic attempts! Maryland is a title contender. Syracuse is no slouch, to be sure. No shame in losing to either. Rather, it is in the way they have lost. Zips have looked downright awful in the pre-season (and in the Spring, for that matter). Disorganized, slow, and uninspired. 4 out of 6 MAC coaches have Akron winning the conference. I cannot remember the last time this poll was not unanimous. The Lobos of New Mexico should be licking their chops.

Yes, it has come to this.

This is going to be a long season.

There had better be a game effort by the Zips tonight. If not, the villagers will be reaching for their torches and pitchforks.

Yes. Very embarassing!

Here is my best guess at lineup and formation.

Well, finally watched a practice Th/8/14. I arrived around 18:00 and it lasted for another 90 minutes or so. There are lots of new faces and several notable number changes. At least two players I had never even heard of before. Consult roster on gozips.com; it is finally updated. Observations on newcomers: Ezana Kahsay #18 is quite large, much larger than Zips CBs of recent memory. He is especially fluid and agile for his size, every bit as tall as Saad Abdul-Salaam #3, but thicker. Not certain if he is a starter or not. Niko De Vera #4 is well muscled, short but fast, showing a real burst down the sideline. I will resist comparing Niko to another recent Zip as I do not want to jinx the young man. It will be interesting to track the competition between Niko De Vera #4 and Bryce Cregan #14 for the LB position. (Senior Saad Abdul-Salaam #3 presumably has the RB nailed down.) Each brings a different skill set to the defense. Adam Najem rightfully and appropriately swapped jersey numbers with Richmond (Richie) Laryea. They are now #10 and #6 respectively. Najem looks in excellent form and Laryea is silky smooth. These two are going to combine brilliantly in the MF. Laryea already carries himself like a professional. Tall freshman Anthony Macchione #17 lacks the pedigree of some of the more touted Forwards in this class. However, Macchione scrapped and hustled to score multiple times during various types of scrimmage, displaying a palpable desire to get off his shot. These are my impressions of the freshmen upon witnessing but one practice. I can hardly wait to see more.

Best Yedlin article to date!

Right. In an elite program such as Akron's, professional calibre talent leaves early. Not sure when this changed, not quite 10 years ago, but NCAA MSoccer is now similar to NCAA MBasketball. An old team, full of upper classmen, like Notre Dame 2013, is rarely a contender. Quality freshmen are typically expected to contribute immediately. Anticipate more of this trend.

Does any one have a practice schedule? Many of us would like to watch the squad drill.