AkronZip54321

I wanted a big name (masseinauve (sp?), Reyna, etc) when this job became available. Some people have assistant coaching personalities some have head coaching personalities. The mystique of Akron soccer is already falling way off. Look at the hill behind the goal. Hardly anyone there. It's only going to get worse I'd imagine. Porters first full recruiting class (ignoring the year he was hired in the winter) included Ampai, Blair Gavin, Nanchoff, and some Zakuani guy. If Embick wants to be sustaining Akron soccer standards he better make sure his class he brings in next year measures up to what Porter did for so many years.

Michael Nanchoff will be continuing his career under Caleb Porter at the Portland Timbers

Who do we know FOR SURE that will not be back? Lets not jump to conclusions based on rumors posted on a website. It is almost always impossible to not miss a beat when there is a coaching change. Porters first year-2006- the team did not win the MAC tournament OR even get an at-large bid after the 2005 team being penalty kicks away from the final 4 (to the eventual national champion on the road). The only players from that recruiting class who made any kind of mark in an Akron uniform was Lolla's recruit, Ben Zemanski. My point is that a coaches first year is almost always very difficult for a variety of reasons and we can not be too quick to judge or push blame towards Jared Embrick.

I like Serna's game and think hes a big talent but I just dont see him being MLS ready yet.

Think the one we are resigned to losing is Trapp. I'd say it's more likely then not then the rest will not go pro. Whether they are at Akron next year is another story. Koroma especially I think will have a break out season next year, but I feel like after this fall, it's not a given it will happen here.

whatdya know, another midfielder

I cant believe theyd have online voting for something this prestigious.

I agree with your comparisons and them maybe not being completely ready buuuuut.... we are dealing with a unique situation in that these players aren't completely certain what they are gonna be coming back for. They might not be 100% ready to go but if an offer is there they might take it just based on the Porter departure and them not having the confidence that the team will be a top 5 team next year. Was ben Speas really ready to go pro after last year (i think no, and it was proven based on his season with the Crew, imo) but that didn't stop him from signing. Guys leaving to go pro is unfortunate but what we can't see happening is marquee players transferring from Akron to other top schools. That would have a more telling stance on where Akron soccer is heading.

As good as the 2010 team was, the 2009 team was actually better. Being better doesn't always mean winning the national championship. The 2009 team is the greatest college team I've ever seen when they were fully healthy.

Still remember when he signed ampai. who would have known what a chain reaction of talent coming in would follow after that for the next 6 years. incredible. I think the 3-0 win at notre dame to start the 2008 year was when this team really turned a corner. Lets hope that things keep going as they have since then.

This team was great but they really missed having a Nagbe, Teal, Zakuani, Mattocks type. When we needed a goal we weren't always sure where it was going to come. Great season, was very sad to leave the stadium today not hearing the students doing their chant.

Wanted to start a thread for any rumors or things heard about if any players will be transferring in or out of our beloved soccer team. I can't help but worry that Trapp, Deandre, and Gallego are getting pushed by MLS teams right now too...

Some thoughts from the game - We started out poorly in the first 20 minutes and had trouble dealing with Michigan pressing high. I know everyone is on the Abdul-Salaam train right now but he really isn't ready to be playing in bigtime NCAA games. Makes me wonder why guys like Foldesy, Morris, etc have been buried on the bench behind him but obviously hard to argue with anything the coaching staff does. Stevenson was my M.O.T.M. He scored a great goal and did a good job keeping possession and being dangerous with outside shooting. Akron definitely misses Brenes, and to a smaller degree, Koroma. I was happy to see Schmitt come in and make an impact. If the same players are available in the round of 16, expect him to start in-place of Abdul-Salaam. Our finishing in the second half was very poor. There were many chances to put the game on ice and Akron was very wasteful. As the tournament progresses, these mistakes will prove to be costly. Chad Barson was outstanding in the back as well. What a warrior. Same goes for Meves. What a big time save he made late in the game. Anyone know the status on Brenes? Everyone says he is day-to-day but that's been going on now for some time. Also Koroma wasn't even on the bench? Are we sure he is just 'sick' and if he is, I don't wanna get whatever he's got because he's been out for some time as well now. Go zips! bring on (most likely) Creighton.

Go Akron! Predict a 2-0 victory for the good guys.

THIS!

Do we agree that the 2010 Michigan game at Akron was the best performance in the Porter-era?

This. #4 is (essentially) the same as #1. Getting in the top 4 is all that matters.

id be shocked if porter considered taking meves.

Feel very harsh ridiculing an 18 year old who is better then I ever was but hard to think hes been anything other then a huge let down. U-20 national team player and a center forward on a team without a center forward and not playing much. Hope he takes the Zakuani and Bunbury route and breaks out in year 2.

another very solid result. this team doesn't scare opposition like the 2008-2010 teams did but they are churning out result after result lately. If the season ended today would we be seeded 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16? I'd say 5-8 without heavily looking at the other top teams and how theyve done. still find it hard to think we will be ok without a guy we can count on to score goals in tight difficult tourney games but maybe I'm wrong...

One thing that any player or former college player would tell you is that you do not have the same relationship with an assistant as you do a head coach. It's VERY hard for an assistant at the same program to become a head coach after for this exact reason. I'm really on board with Maissounauve. He is a name that will attract big name recruits to Akron like Porter did. He is a guy that knows what it takes to build national championship teams. He's even played at the highest levels professionally.

I want to be positive but it will be almost impossible for the program to remain at the same level it currently is going forward...

been following this on twitter pretty closely. seems like the writing is on the wall, sad day for akron soccer. still don't think its the smartest move to make when you think of the volitility of mls coaching jobs and how much money he is making here between his salary and camps.

Some thoughts: US U-20 players will walk into the starting 11. This means Koroma and Serna. Schmitt will almost definitely be used in a similar role to last year where he is a sub off the bench. It fits his skillset as a spark to come on and change the game. I think some people are over valuing experience. Porter usually either plays guys in their first year or they have limited roles/ transfer out. Blue chip recruits arent your normal freshman that have deer in the headlights in the first game against a top 25 team. I do think a Gallego- Souders- Barson - Yedlin back 4 is nice, but it's really unfortuante we don't have a left footed version of Yedlin because this team has not replaced Korb now for 2 years and thats the one position Akron doesn't have. I haven't seen Serna play so it remains to be seen whether he will be used in a winger role or something more similar to what Ampai did. However I don't think a Serna/ Caldwell/ Trapp trio in the midfield will really work as we won't have a hard nosed defensive midfielder in that mix. Im wondering if Gallego playing Dmid is out of the question? Anyone know much about Morris? Heard he was offered a home grown contract by Toronto FC but turned it down. If thats the case he has to be in the mix to be starting up front as well.