johnnyzip84

It seems to me like the Zips are beginning to get their swagger back. The touch line save by Soares, that lead to Lewis flying down on the right and ultimately feeding Hinds for the clincher, was simply fantastic. I'm not sure I've seen a better example of teamwork on a very important goal. The lineup seems to be settling in quite nicely at just the right time. We've mentioned the improvements seen with new roles for Hinds and Soares. I also like Niko taking the corner kicks as well. Now it's time to see if the Zips 2016 2.0 version can take the success to a place that hasn't been too kind to the Zips 2016 1.0 version - the road.

I can't say I'm surprised. Great job, Zips!

I have the game recorded, so I'm looking forward to watching in its entirety. Thanks for the teaser! The Eastern Conference final should be intense. Evan has come up huge numerous times down the stretch. As an Impact supporter, I hope he has a few more left in the tank for mighty mouse, Jozy and Bradley.

Kaopectate?

It might not be enough in the end, but Evan keeps a clean sheet in the 1st leg to give the Impact a chance against the Red Bulls. He may have had the benefit of a "no call" early in the match with BWP bearing down on goal, but he made a couple of nice saves as well. Mancosu's strike off of a pass from Donadel was pure quality.

And the Impact advance to the conference semi-finals with a fairly easy 4-2 win over DC United at RFK, with Evan merely conceding two, late (and too late) goals near stoppage time. The trio of Piatti, Mancosu and Oduro up front are meshing quite nicely without a certain unnamed player getting in the way. Piatti's pass to set up Mancosu's 1st goal was tremendous. It makes me wonder how Montreal's season would have gone had Joey Saputo simply allowed the unnamed player to go back to Chelsea and coach?

The spread is now up to TWENTY POINTS. Have the Zips EVER been 20 point favorites on the road against a I-A/FBS opponent? I'm smelling another DeAndre Scott pick six, much like the way the game started the last time they played "inside the running track" (doesn't quite sound as poetic as "between the hedges" does it?).

The spread is now up to 18 points. Last week, I missed on the most important (and not explicitly asked) question (would Sheriff Woody play?). This week, I'm assuming that's a given so I'm going all in.

I wouldn't confuse this year's squad with recent U@B teams that featured talent like Branden Oliver and Khalil Mack. Lance Leipold definitely seems to be having some trouble with recruiting, but this downturn in talent is only a fairly recent turn of events. Bulls fans are understandably concerned that they have Leipold signed until 2020. With all that said, I would like to see the weather forecast improve for Thursday. I'd like to not have the Zips huge passing advantage negated in any way.

Great point, and I should have mentioned that in my initial post.

NH3 - my mistake

Here are a couple of observations from last night: Some of the problems with the back line have to do with inexperience. For as talented as NH4 is, (like many FR) he is not always the calmest of characters when the situation dictates. Their 2nd goal is a case in point. I would REALLY like to see JL11 pass the ball a lot more when he is making his deep runs down the side. The one instance when his shot went WAY left of goal, AN10 was WIDE open in front of the net just begging for a chance. This is not the 1st time I've seen that this year. I am really glad to see SH9 get off the schneid for the season. That could be HUGE coming down the stretch and into the tourney. BL1 probably saved the Zips from a likely defeat last night. Hope his confidence can remain in tact for the rest of the season. It looks like we'll need him on the road to come up big time after time. Don't get me wrong - I love having NH4 and JL11 on this team and playing big minutes. I just hope they can work on a few things for their individual improvement and for the sake of the team. Go Zips!

By my recollection, Willie (always liked the mural in downtown Massillon that shows him at QB for the Tigers) didn't finish the game because he was something like 1-10 for 8 yards and a couple of ints while he was QB. Don't quote me on the numbers of course, but the O didn't move the ball at all when he was in the game. Mike Junko actually played one of his better games that day (14 of 26, 156 yards, 1 TD, 1 int). The Hokie DE who came into the game with all the hype was Cornell Brown. Below is a mildly humorous link to a Hokie's take on the near upset. http://archive.techsideline.com/football/1996/games/akron.htm My main memory of that game is how bad the Zip D made Va Tech QB Druckenmiller look.

Evan has almost single-handedly saved the Impact's playoff chances in 2016.

I agree that this change has made an immediate impact, but it actually was initiated on Friday against the Beavers. I believe this adjustment gives the Zips defense a little more strength in the air down the middle. Hopefully it will pay dividends on the road as well (could the Zips' road and home form be any more different this year? That's another topic entirely.).

Me neither - and they've been doing this for over 10 years. It's not quite as odd as former MWC foe BYU's situation for Men's Soccer however.

Random notes from this weekend: · As suspected by fknbuflobo, Seattle is a significantly better team than Georgetown. · A 6’7” ‘keeper who grabs just about anything in the air AND can get to the ground quickly? Are you kidding me? This may sound premature, but I think Ben has a chance to be the best keeper in UA history. He could easily be the difference in several more games this year. · Nick Hinds is so much fun to watch. The pace is a given, but his ball skills are much better than I ever expected from a freshman left back. I wonder if he might eventually move up-field at some point down the road. · Thank you, thank you, thank you to Brad. With WVU’s win over the Hoyas yesterday, it’s looking more and more like he may have saved the Zips from a not-too-pretty draw which may have hurt them for seeding later in the year. How does he not make the all-tourney team? · I liked the switch when Adam started taking the corners. It’s hard not to want him striking the ball first on any set piece. · The Zips held serve over the weekend. Hopefully Stuart comes back soon and the offense will continue to improve as it did in the 2nd half against Seattle.

With "Big Sam" likely to be named next England boss, might this affect Yedlin's plans?

Here is a nice article on Michael Nanchoff's efforts to rejuvenate his pro career with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Perry Kitchen gets to experience Europa League qualification with an advancing win in Estonia.

http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/2016/6/2/11843544/deandre-yedlins-bobblehead-doll-reminds-us-of-what-couldve-been

Those staggered games in the past have been on Saturdays. There's not much staggering you can do on a Wednesday night. I'm sure ESPN/CBS is dictating the American Football game time.

While Grand Canyon is currently a cupcake, they have ambitious plans for the sport. I realize the reach of Title IX, but it's still a bit odd that neither Arizona nor ASU have men's soccer programs.

I believe the NCAA will often reduce their punishment of a school that self-reports an infraction. Therefore, I’m going to self-report my complete and total amusement with this thread to the UA hoops coaching staff in hopes of receiving the same.

Ahhh Shawn and that little left handed bank shot from the block. It was nearly unstoppable