Crew8

I have to take issue with this statement! I am hoping and wishing that football ("soccer" for Skipzip) NEVER grows to be the type of Big Time Professional Sport that the "relevant" sports are -- and that it is never ruined the way those other sports have been ruined by "relevance", i.e., Big Money, celebrity and the swagger that those exhibition pro leagues consist of. A try out in Sporting KC is as close as TO should come to our league. We don't need that. As far as Bisbee's comment about the bigger issue being competing against international competition -- by clubs and the USA MNT, I couldn't agree more, but we can compete against the world -- some day, without developing Cristiano Ronaldos and that little man who coaches him.Nuff said? I understand your concern, its one of the many reasons I have no desire to follow the NFL, NBA, College Football, and many more. Although I do want to see the game grow, and I hope it never comes down that path of entertainment, celebrity, BS in the USA. And if it ever did, I think some supporter groups would turn on their team in a heartbeat. Soccer is a different culture. I certainly can easily be wrong, and money powers everything.

I believe its the first 6 regular season games in the PDL which qualifies a team for the US Open Cup. Finish in the top of your standings after 6, maybe 5 games, you receive an invitation to the US Open Cup.

Surprised to see that ASA avg. attendance was 186. I honestly thought it was lower. I read an article a few days ago the team directly above ASA, RC Foxes board members were going to a vote if or not to keep the PDL team around. I really thought ASA would've drew a few more, with 5 Zips playing for the squad last summer, and with players like Meves and Holmes as opponents. ASA, purchased from the Cleveland Internationals where players like Nagbe, Ubiparipovic, Zakuani, Zemanski, and Nanchoff once played. Developmental teams are important for the growth of skill, players need to playing year round. I hope to see ASA back next summer.

Just to clear it up, not US U-18 national team camp. She's not listed in the player pool for US U-18, unless you have another link. I think its just Eclipse Select National team camp. Still sounds like a fantastic recruit. Thanks Sportsfan!

Wake Forest vs Maryland ended in a 1-1 draw tonight. From what I read, Wake had a goal go off the post in the 109' but Maryland controlled most of the game and had 35(14) shots(SOG) to Wake's 6(3)

I just thought last night was a little chaotic sounding and unorganized. You can have a fairly large band involved with a supporters section, but everyone needs to be in unison. Simple rhythms, beats, and it probably helps to have some familiarity of the chants and songs. Leadership, organization, and practice.

Sorry my voice can only carry so much over a freakin pep band. I'm not here to argue. We have 5000-10,000 soccer fanatics chanting and singing in unison, the pep band is welcomed back.

I have nothing, disappointing loss tonight. I was alongside bobbyake for the disallowed goal. Tough call on the line from my point of view, although I thought it was in. I still feel Akron needs to find a way to score goals in the first half and put the pressure on the opponent. It just doesn't seem to be the case this year, but it rather seems we wait for the second half. Need to quit with trying to make the next perfect pass in the box and pound it in on goal in or outside the box. Instead of trying to create the perfect pass in the first half, leading to a second half scramble to get anything on goal.

Sorry, I would disagree, the pep band ruined a soccer atmosphere, its not basketball or football. 2 or 3 drums is all that's needed, maybe one horn. Chants, singing, drowned out by the pep band. I have nothing against the pep band, but it doesn't fit in soccer. FIRST DOWN!

Probably not the best time to post this after tonight's loss, but I thought I'd share. Kitchen and Valentin invited to camp Porter Names 31 Players to Roster for U-23 Men's National Team Camp for Nov. 7-16th in Germany

Soccer by Ives article Confident Bunbury striking at right time

Not giving up hope yet. Championship or bust!

I'll be there at 4pm, bringing some food also

Thanks Zip_ME87, sounds like CONCACAF qualification will be located in Nashville. This is fantastic. Road trip.

bobbyake and I will be there by 4:30pm

I believe Crew8 is bringing one, I have a small charcoal grill I can bring as well if needed.Yes, I'm bringing a small propane grill. Think I might cook up some chili beforehand too. So show up hungry.

+1

He explained how the U-23 MNT works and that he can have 3 older players [EDIT: if they qualify for the Olympics, I think. I should have asked if that meant the 3 older players could play in the qualifying matches.]. I asked if he expected to have any former Zips like Kitchen and Bunbury in the pool. He responded that he couldn't talk specifics, but he expected to have 4 - 5 Zips. [Please note the specific words I used, I asked "in the player pool"...which means they will compete to play on the U-23 MNT.]I'm pretty sure only the use of 3 older players can be used in the final competition or Olympics and not qualifying matches

To be honest, I have to agree with Lion Girl on this one. Anyone see the field in person care to explain why the field was so bad?

Here is a link to Coach Porter's national media conference call from earlier today about the Olympics/Akron/U-23 squadUS Conference Call

Good call!

Whew! that was close

Wow! Go Zips! 3-2 Keep the pressure on

Final - Maryland 1 v North Carolina 1

Yeah, I'm having a hard time following the feed also, its quite horrible. It would be nice if it had a commentator, so I know what's going on.Looking for a good read at halftime, new article posted by Soccer By Ives Porter discusses plans for US U-23