bisbee

Kickoff is 7PM CENTRAL time

we need an official watch party for this game and the MLS Cup. btw, attendance for SMU games: Game 1 459 Game 2 313 Game 3 1567 (not sure if the 1 is a typo) Game 4 501 Game 5 246 Game 6 523 Game 7 491 Total 4100 Average 586 shouldn't be too hostile as they'll most likely have a crowd in the 500's. They probably let them all in for free when they played UCF in game #3

The comments are hysterical. Physical game and then Mustangs speed takes over ? I wouldn't talk smack about our defense when their GA is about twice what ours is. Sounds like they are trying to convince themselves about a win.

The inconsistency of live streaming really sucks and i won't have my WARF backup

I am also well aware that stats only tell part of the story but we have a decided advantage looking at the goals scored/against numbers. We have scored 42 and allowed 14 while they have scored 32 and allowed 24. Avg per game for us is 2.14/0.67 and for them 1.60/1.20. They have played one less game then we have. GO ZIPS

I copied this from a response to a question that I posted on Big Soccer about SMU-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote: Originally Posted by bisbee Now that Akron moves on to play SMU does any one have any insights into the Mustangs. I know they beat both UCLA and Duke but those games were fairly early in the year when both of those teams were not playing nearly as well as they are now. Also surprisingly they are only 4-3 at home. I really like Akron's chances in this one. Response: SMU looked good at the C-USA Tournament (they had a live stream and TV final) without one of its better attacking players, Juan Castillo. They don't have a lot of size, but have plenty of skill. Arthur Ivo is legit as an attacking mid and Diogo de Almeida is a left-footed left back that likes to get forward and has some speed. Robbie Derschang has good speed from the left side of midfield in front of de Almeida and that's the side they prefer. SMU has a holding midfielder/defender, T.J. Nelson, who does all of the little things and can distribute. Defending will be key for SMU, because Akron can transition quickly. As to the home losses, they were to William and Mary (1st match of season), 0-1 to UConn and to UCF, which just won its opening round match. Should be a good match.

In defense of the ref on that play, I don't think he felt that that foul deserved a PK. It usually takes a pretty hard foul for a ref to award a PK. You'll often see when a soft foul occurs near the edge of the box, the ref will call it, but pull the ball outside the box. They'd never admit to it, but it's somewhat common. That said, to then give up a ticky-tack PK the next half was complete BS. I was right behind the goal and saw absolutely nothing there. Obviously you did not not see the foul. Those of us who did have reported the circumstances. I had a clear look at the foul. Mattocks was taken down from behind with a hard shove to his back. A divot resulted the size of a dinner plate. The linesman had a clear look at the foul and did nothing. This was a foul that deserved a PK. The PK that Northwestern took was awarded for what? There was no foul. No player from either team went to the turf. No punches were thrown. It was a common melee of pushing and shoving. The only fair way to award a PK in that situation would be to award both sides a PK. I am always amazed that bad officiating is usually justified by some one. Someone suggested it may have been a handball. I will ask DeAndre and see what he thinks.

I agree. I really like this draw. The Mustangs are only 13-6-1, though they did play a pretty tough schedule. Marshall seemed to give the Mustangs all that they could handle, tying SMU 1-1 in 2 OT's in their first meeting, and then falling to SMU 4-3 in the C-USA Tourney. I like this draw as well. While on paper their schedule looks difficult they played and beat both Duke and UCLA earlier in the season before both of those teams got reasonably competitive. Additionally they were only 4-3 at home. We win this one

Bring on the mustangs. I think we leave dallas on Sunday with a win. I know they are ranked #6 but on paper they don't look particularly daunting. This was a HUGE win for us in more ways than one.

I don't know much about SMU but on paper they don't look to be a dominating team .I think we leave dallas on Sunday with a win.

One nil at the half. We gotta get another one really fast in second half.

3-0 at half next up Creighton...ouch.

GO ZIPS GO ZIPS GO ZIPS

Students have been going person to person asking what they're doing tonight...we're trying to make up for lack of marketing focused on students...so we're doing the best we can...hopefully we get 1500 tonight... Great...hopefully overall attendance is at least 4K

OMG, I hope not! I cannot take postseason PKs! MEMO TO ZIPS: FINISH OPPONENT IN FIRST @$#%$*% 90 MINUTES!!!!!!!!!!!! How many goals have we surrendered this year AFTER 80 minutes?!?! Hopefully we are at least a couple ahead after 45 I agree about the end of game problems. BTW any estimates of potential attendance numbers. I saw that 1500 free tickets for students were available.

A free video stream of Thursday's soccer match will be provided through the NCAA's web site. I've provided a link below that will take you to the NCAA's online interactive tournament bracket. If you click on the Akron-Northwestern matchup you will be sent to another page that will provide the web stream and live statistics links. http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/soccer-men/d1/2011

Join Date: Sep 2010 Re: 2011 NCAA Prediction Contest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1st Round Coastal Caro. Old Dominion Brown CSU Bakersfield Xavier Bradley Virginia Rutgers Monmouth South Carolina Charlotte Akron UCF Duke Providence Northern Ill 2nd Round North Carolina Indiana St. John's (NY) UC Irvine Maryland Louisville Virginia Boston College Connecticut James Madison Charlotte Akron South Fla. New Mexico UC Santa Barbara Creighton Elite Eight North Carolina UC Irvine Louisville Boston College James Madison Akron South Fla. Creighton Final Four North Carolina Boston College Akron Creighton Final Boston College Akron National Champs Akron

Who outside of members of this message board thing he was the missing piece to the puzzle? I admit I thought he was going to have more of an impact than he did but I don't remember ever reading CP say anything of the sort. Other factor is that for prior 3 years he played at an NAIA program which is arguably a whole different level of play then he faces in Div 1. That certainly could have accounted for his pre Akron gaudy stats and for his "lack of equivalent production" here. I don't think Luke's lack of equivalent production is what the main problem is.

Don't we need the row and tier number as well? Probably

I will be there in spirit only but i would like to ask a favor. would you guys be willing to text me updates during the game? Send me a PM and I will give you my cell number...thanks.

You might try Big10 website. Bisbee, you have not been around the last 5 years. I have not seen a Zips team this confused during Porter's tenure. I have seen teams less talented, but not this disoriented. Lesser Porter teams played with cohesion and purpose not evident on this squad. I am very worried. NU looked really good on TV vs. PSU (Big10 Championship). Should Zips get this one, who knows, they may tear off a streak. But this is the match that troubles me. I think now that hopefully Porter has things set we see the Zips perform at a much higher level. I think main problem with the offense is that we try way too much to finesse the ball through the middle rather than playing from side to side forcing the defense to spread out to cover the wings.

Guess i am one of the few who thinks we win. Porter is too much of a motivator and good coach to allow another letdown. This is really what a team plays for...NCAA appearance.....regular season is all out the window now. We convert ....we win...and i look for that to happen. Any one know about internet streaming of the game? I would hate to have live stats as my only option to "see" game from Phoenix.

I have a really good feeling about this one. I think we get victory number 1 of the 6 game win streak on thursday.

Let's hope First Energy-Cub Cadet is rocking on Thursday night. No excuse if you are in the area not to be there. Any one know about internet coverage/radio?

Great bracket for us. Bring on Northwestern