Crew8

+1

I'm picking Greece to win the group, but I think Poland might win today. Russia will defeat the Czech

That was a fantastic cup run by the Greeks. I remember having to order the final on PayPerView and my cable went out minutes before kick off. Luckily, one of my friends lived a few minutes down the road, so we ordered it twice. I never did get my money back.

I created a Euro Cup Bracket Predictor for Akron Soccer Fans if anyone is interested. Kicks off this Friday with Poland vs Greece at noon and Russia vs Czech Republic at 2:45pm Just visit the link here to join. Euro Cup - Akron Group

Only problem, Montreal doesn't have a match either in that time period. MLS is practically shutdown during World Cup Qualifying.

Sign me up. Here are two more articles out of Rochester, NY and Milwaukee, WI after Akron Goodyear won the National Amateur Cup on June 7th, 1931 in Akron.

Thanks! Here's some more great history. 3rd Round National Challenge Cup from 1920. It was a little difficult to read a few of the names. Looks like both squads were running a 2-3-5 Pyramid which most clubs ran during that time period. OL - Outside Left, IL - Inside Left, IR - Inside Right, OR - Outside Right, OS- ????

A little NE Ohio Soccer History I thought some would enjoy to read.

We're getting some AO Akron T-shirts ordered next Monday in preparation for USMNT World Cup Qualifying kicking off in three weeks. If anyone would like to Pre-Order one, just visit our website to order through PayPal. $18 T-shirt and will also ship for $3. Represent US Soccer Supporters and Akron in one T-shirt. AO Akron T-Shirt Pre-Order

Is Orange County Blue Star comparable to Hollywood United FC or Hollywood All-Stars? Need more Vinnie Jones. One of my classic favorites is the Vinnie Jones halftime cursing rant.

Really, I knew who Pele was in my youth soccer days and I have a few years on you bobbyake. It probably helped that my father would bring home Pele instructional VHS videos for me to watch. My soccer skills didn't follow the same route as Pele. Soccer is more accessible today. Over 15 years ago, the only soccer you could watch was the Mexican league on Sunday afternoons on Univision. And there would be no coverage of soccer except when the '94 World Cup happened. Even then, not all the WC games were televised or in '98. It wasn't until 2006 you could catch every WC match on the tube. It took baby steps to get where it is today.

Looking over it again. Barson only played 4 games with the Bucks, probably splitting time with the Crew's U20 competitions is what I'm assuming. As all 4 Bucks games were spread out over 3 months.

It's quite possible Trapp will play for the PDL club Michigan Bucks an affiliate of the Crew. Chad Barson played there last season.

Great! now I can get mugged in Chester, PA while attending the College Cup. I like that it will be hosted in a MLS stadium.

Since I like to recognize other Akron area natives and thought some might have an interest in knowing. Cuyahoga Falls native Juddy McKinney is playing for the Charlotte Eagles of the USL PRO. Former Akron Summit Assault, Ohio Vortex, and CVCA High School player. I had a chance to speak with him last summer at one of the AO Akron events during the Gold Cup after he just got back from a trial in Austria. Great guy and thrilled to see he landed a job in Charlotte trying to achieve his goal in a higher level of professional soccer.

I know it's not Zips material, but Akron native Josh Williams(Copley HS) and former CSU Vikings is getting his first start today for Columbus Crew. He's been seeing some playing time in the past few games after being injured all of last season.

Since you brought up baseball. Sounds like the Johnny Damon signing by the Indians is a done deal. Johnny's been playing a little footy I guess to keep in shape. I hope his bat is better than his foot skills.

Reminds me of this short film based on a true story.

It doesn't say Akron, but Wolverhampton's shirt sponsor was Goodyear for about 10 years in the 90's. For an entire list of vintage Wolves shirts to buy.

Good stuff from ISN as always. If you get the chance read Paul Gardner's article "Olympic flop a minor distraction, not a major disaster" which was also linked in the ISN article. Another related article I enjoyed last week is Mike Firpo's "The Growing Pains of American Soccer"

Its about time for Nagbe! I really believe he's the best of the bunch, he just needs the confidence and mentality to back it up. 2nd goal is brilliant! Go on Nagbe! Get in there! Akron Soccer!

I can man the LB spot! I'm not saying I'll do much, but I can stand out there and wave to the crowd.

I think you'll still see Porter involved with the US system in some way as long as Klinsmann is the head coach of the USMNT. Remember Klinsmann hand picked Porter for the job. And US Soccer's goal since Klinsmann was hired is to change the style we play in the United States. Klinsmann is having the same difficulties with the senior squad instituting the 4-3-3 and one thing Klinsmann hasn't had to deal with yet is a meaningful match. Porter was thrown into the fire with only a few months of preparation. I could be wrong, but I believe Klinsmann ran a 4-4-1-1 in the one big Friendly match against Italy he actually won. Mostly because of the lack of attack, goals scored, and players performing the system correctly in previous Friendly matches. For all those who wanted Klinsmann as USMNT coach, I say, you're going to need to take some bumps and bruises and be patient. You can't institute a change in style over night. Porter is still a great soccer mind, I'm thrilled to have him in Akron, and he'll get his shot again. Here's an interesting fact some may not know, Brazil's Men's Soccer Team has never won Gold in the Olympics either. Yaz, stay away from those BigSoccer threads, its brutal over there. Haha

Yep! Tough one to take. What to do until World Cup Qualifying in June? Still have the Ladies going for Gold in the Olympics. The strong backbone of US keepers were a little weak in qualifying. Hamid and Johnson. Porter is still a fantastic young soccer mind and still has a future with US Soccer, but this definitely sets him back. He failed to deliver with a team that should of qualified. I hope he learns from this and I expect big things from him in the future.

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