Crew8

I don't believe it's online. I remember the episode also included a Columbus Crew match and a special on Kevin Hartman.

DeAndre Yedlin was named one of the top four defenders in the Western Conference of the PDL. The National First Team PDL will be announced tomorrow.

US U-20 lost 4-3 to Chile and finish fourth. Goals from Zimmerman, Joya, and Pineda. Trapp and Koroma both started. EDIT: Full Story from US Soccer

Looks like Darren Mattocks will be representing Jamaica against the USMNT Sept. 7th(in Kingston) and Sept. 11th(in Columbus) in World Cup Qualifying. Friendly against El Salvador Aug. 15th(in Washington D.C.) I hope he gets some playing time against the USA, but he better not score.

Glad I was there to see this live. Speas looked pretty well in the center midfield lined up with starter Tony Tchani, playing all 45 minutes in the second half. Speas took all the free kicks and was moving well off the ball into space. He had another shot on goal that was saved by the keeper. Its got to feel good to get a goal against Stoke City. Columbus controlled most of the game and had multiple chances. Not much to say about Stoke, they looked like it was preseason and they performed like it was preseason. On a another note, Peter Crouch looks like a giraffe running on the field when watching him live.

On Columbus Crew website: Trapp Headed to 2012 MILK Cup

AFC Cleveland will play for the Midwest Championship Sunday, July 22nd at 2pm against Madison at Brecksville-Broadview Hts High School. A win this Sunday gets them into the NPSL Final Four in San Diego and an automatic bid into next years US Open Cup.

Wil Trapp, Alfred Koroma, and Dillon Serna were selected to the U.S. U-20 Roster for the upcoming Northern Ireland MILK Cup, July 21-26th.

Free kick from outside the box is what I read on Twitter in the 91st minute. Low outside shot. I can't locate the tweet. Detroit countered with a goal a minute later, but were called offisides. Congrats! Hope they beat that Erie squad. Schmitt started on the bench and so was McAdams. I didn't see Gallego on the lineup sheet. 5v5: Debating the top GKs in Men's Soccer. Meves gets a few mentions among his peers.

We always discuss the development of the men's squad and where they play. Why don't we have a Women's developmental team in the NE Ohio area or even Northern Ohio? The closest developmental clubs I found are from the NPSL, Ohio Galaxies FC near Dayton, Ohio and Ohio Premier Women's SC in Dublin, OH. In the USL W-League is the Dayton Dutch Lions. So you either have to leave the state or travel two hours south. Where do the Lady Zips play and train competitively during the summer? 30 Women's clubs in the USL, 65 Women's clubs in the WPSL, 8 clubs in the Women's WPSL Elite League. If Canton, Akron, or Cleveland had a Women's development team, the Lady Zips could continue to train and develop into a stronger team in the area instead of traveling. EDIT: ISN - WPSL Match Part of Elite Soccer Showcase

Just got word if anyone is interested, Ohio Galaxies FC from Alpha, OH which is near Dayton is playing a match at 4pm this Saturday, July 14th in Canton at Diamond Sports Complex against a select All-Star team of college and high school players from the area. Free admission and parking. I don't notice any Akron soccer players on the Galaxies roster, but possibly will be on the All-Star team. Matches will be taking place all weekend showcasing youth premier clubs and high school teams as part of the ISN Cup which is part of International Soccer Network. I think it would be worth seeing the Galaxies vs Area All-Star match. As I get more info, I'll be sure to share. EDIT: 2012 ISN Cup Elite Soccer Showcase

Heather Mitts at right back and Benny Dargle at central defense. The average age on this team is not looking good.

Thanks for posting that! I recognized another name in the article that I haven't seen in two years. I needed to look it up to see if it was really Sebastian. I follow Northampton Town in League 2 and Seb was once in the system after earning a spot for two years. Although he only cracked the roster a few times in his first season. He spent the rest on loan to smaller clubs in Conference or below in England before being let go by Northampton Town.

I'd like to disagree, but they are very organized in the back and in the midfield. I wish I could've watched more of the match today, but I was sweating over a hot grill most of the first half for 50 plus soccer fans at Ray's Pub in Akron. That was the finest moment in Akron despite the result. If you were there, congrats to you for showing up! If you were not, where were you? Great crowd! Great times! It only helps Akron soccer grow!

I agree a foul should've been awarded in the box to Thomas, but it doesn't surprise me it didn't get called by the way the referee was performing. I didn't get a good look at what happened on the other PK. We see a goal, followed up by a 5 minute discussion with the line judge, and ending in a PK. I have no idea what was going on. In the end, I thought the referee was quite horrible and had no control of the game. What did you think of the match? Personally, it wasn't as good as the previous one I attended. The referee didn't help either. It seemed against Erie, AFC played to many long balls. Wish they'd keep the ball on the ground more. Maybe it was the opponent because in the last game I attended, I don't recall so many long balls and knocking it forward. I don't think that fits into Thomas game, unless you're playing him a long through ball to chase and beat the defender or having him make runs off the other forward after winning the ball in the air, but I didn't see much of that last night. Also in the previous match the kid up front with Thomas in the first half, Vinny Bell was a beast. He just looked out of form and not fit last night. I'll definitely be going back this Friday. I did enjoy watching the Zips in a different system and with different players to see how they react in situations.

AFC Cleveland 1-1 Draw with Erie The Akron connection proved valuable for Cleveland yet again as three Zips starred for AFC. Andrian McAdams put another solid performance in goal, while Bryan Gallego anchored the backline. Thomas Schmitt was probably the most dangerous attacker on the field as he tested Erie’s defense again and again. Gallego and McAdams looked solid and calm in the back tonight. Schmitt looked frustrated up top trying to find space, but kept working for 90 minutes. AFC Cleveland is in third place behind Erie and Detroit with two matches left. The final home match against FC Buffalo is Friday, July 6th. I'm going to try and make it to this match too.

Very entertaining game today, no sitting back from Italy. I think you'd see most teams sit back on Germany. I'm still shocked as well. I didn't think Italy had it in them to take down Germany. Just like in the 2010 WC, Germany looked like the strongest team up until the semifinals. Italy vs Spain this Sunday. I hope Spain opens up a little more and brings some attack instead of playing box to box. We'll be grilling up some free burgers, hot dogs, and sausages this Sunday at Ray's Pub for the game if anyone is interested.

I'd like to see a Portugal win today and Italy tomorrow.

Thomas Schmitt scores the equalizer and Andrian McAdams played in goal for AFC Cleveland. Bryan Gallego was also picked up by AFC Cleveland and played a full 90. 1-1 Draw - Final AFC Cleveland plays their last two matches at Broadview Heights High School this Friday, June 29th against Erie and July 6th against FC Buffalo. Obviously closer than driving up to Parma if you're in the Akron area. It would be great to get some Akron Zips support in attendance.

I missed that one the other day! Nice! That could possibly be goal of the year in MLS! It's a long season though. On a similar note or kick, I jumped in a Ben Speas KYCK.com chat and asked Ben if him and his new teammate Josh Williams have ever faced off against each other in the past since they're both from the Akron area. Ben mentioned they did face off once in High School, CVCA vs Copley and it was Ben's second match on varsity and scored a goal. Then Josh jumped in and said "Benny is being modest. He scored a scissor kick from the top of the box. One of the best goals I've ever seen in person." Ben Zemanski was in there for a bit too.

Here's the best video I could find of the goal for those who haven't seen it. I'm sure it will be down soon as UEFA is quick to react. BTW. If anyone is looking to watch the EURO's over the weekend or the rest of tournament at a bar in Akron. Matches will be on with sound at Ray's Pub in Highland Square(816 W. Market St.). Might not be the finest establishments, but some soccer fans will be there.

Interesting take on the develop of soccer in America. Toting the Old Ball 'N' Chain: Player Development in America I was also surprised to see who the author of this piece was too. I actually met John in Nashville back in March and got into an in depth conversation exactly about the things mentioned and a few of the Zips players who were mentioned in this article.

Knock out stage is when it gets fun. I'm pulling for France to knockout Spain and Germany or Italy to meet them in the Final unless one of the underdogs like Greece or Czech can make it. What a goal today by Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden. I'm not a fan of him, but he is a beast of a striker.

I thought I chose Germany to win it all, then I looked again. I picked Netherlands. My bracket is shot.