SwitchIt

2 Votes in the poll is either like 2 lonely fries in a combo meal when you look in the bag or they joy of being allowed to still sleep on the porch instead of out in the barn... Prediction: Win out beating PSU, win MAC at WMU, and get to second round in NCAAs. That's may be overly optimistic at this point but that is my call, probably wrong but I'll toss it out there anyway for sport.

Well put @ZipME87. I totally agree that it would be desirable to take them ALL to task for that poor performance and make them remember that bad taste as to avoid it in the now short future of this season. My point is that Embick is quiet by nature and this team happens to also be quiet, with exception of maybe Souders on occasion. Embick's personality was like this before he was hired as HC, and before coming to Akron, and so on. I don't think he is their buddy or friend either, I think he is rather neutral. Add: See interview for WVU game to see where he was after that game => http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/video/index I also agree that not taking the game to WMU and settling for a listless back and forth affair with no SOG until 80' was a bigger issue than the goal given, but feel Sanda for Laryea was a big give and helped to start things off poorly (no disrespect to Sanda, just not ready for the task in first D1 game) which never seems to get righted and instead became a sub fest and ended as it began. Onward!! :-)

Not the result one would expect after a solid week layoff to get ready for the sprint to MAC and NCAAs as well as finally back in good graces of the polls and and favorable RPI winds. Should still win the MAC even if at WMU and a PSU win would be great tone setter to revitalize things here late. After a nice run of home wins and a remarkable comeback win over WVU the team gave way to another lack of early intensity. A turnover or mistake in the back (DM Souto this time) with lack of strong defending from CBs as the ball comes into the 18 even numbers with the GK around the play but not very imposing combine to allow the goal. I get queasy every time the ball enters the area as most of the goals this year look very similar in those respects, which conversely does speak to how well they defend when given time to get organized. Maybe NM and WF goals were different but the CBs/GK were contributors there too. Is there a defender the other team wants no part of? Maybe Souders who is now on the outside, where he was needed and seemed like a brilliant move on Embick's part. As for just missing a starter, missing Laryea to cumm yellows is like missing Souto in the first several games. It severely impacts the engine of this team in the MF. You can miss almost anyone else for a given match, but Najem/Laryea/Souto seem vital. Things don't develop, Saad stays home more instead of getting high and wide, etc. Add Sanda start with no collegiate minutes and an unfortunate history of injuries was experimental at the least, but maybe there was not enough confidence in Aguilar or Quirk to start them even though they have 12 between them. It looked like a wonderful gesture to a local product but maybe your first minutes are later in a game we control to build some experience and confidence, not as CM in a key but easily looked past MAC match where a win gets you really close to hosting the tourney. On game day coaching Embick was quiet and more cerebral before becoming HC and has been the same since. That probably won't change, but that type can win big too while it relies more on the captains and seniors to police effort and get after lazy or sloppy play from the others, and to take the blame when they themselves fall short, to man up. The team is young and maybe the few Juniors and Seniors are not filling that role, so you have a gap where it gets quiet on the field and around the bench and the team heads back to shower and wait for the film session after sleeping on it. Maybe that is where the sparks fly and the coaches get into them so we just can't see it right after the game where you would think its time for a tongue lashing.

While it does not show the tendencies of what a right footed shooter does, most shooters are right footed and under pressure the population shoot lefts (54 to 38%). Keepers are also oriented under pressure to go to their right. Interestingly it is amazingly even both shooter and keeper when the game is tied. Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/02/138922339/under-pressure-soccer-goalies-tend-to-dive-right This study in also kind of cool. It suggests that there is a double distribution of average (poor) saving percentage and very good saving percentage based on the ability to properly read cues and process and react to that information. http://news.discovery.com/human/penalty-kicks-world-cup.htm

PKs the biggest mistake is the player that was fouled wants to take it and there is the factor that he usually just got tackled to the ground and emotion is too high. Agreed better to take a random rotation of 3-4 and Laryea may not be a bad add to mix either. The more shifty and unorthodox in the approach the better and he seems to have that in him. http://www.wakeforestsports.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/093014aaa.html The goals were combined effort CBs/GK but 20 Ruhaak was around both. First one easy split of 3 Saad RB covering inside n 20, rather simple shot once he got the ball in the gap. Keeper hesitated to come out, needed to meet the man. Second one 20 covered far post at best where the shooter would have to cross over his body to pull that off, keeper was shading that same far side. Open area was near and the side he was running towards, where the shot would usually go and then went. They have played well last several games esp against Tulsa so they get a pass on this one away. This thread started by statement that the GK/CBs needed to get it together and that was the story line other than lackluster work in the mid H1. Team should win v UAB at home as long as Clay AM does not get loose.

Zips did well to adjust and gain the momentum early in second but Wake felt better throughout. Very uncharacteristic 3 subs at 23' shows how unhappy staff must have been with the play early. Good to see they responded well to whatever was said in locker room, but then Wake unleashed blizzard of 12 fouls in second half to slow things down. As noted Wake is also exceptionally young, tops in nation's better programs w freshmen along w Akron at 12 players. They feel further along the path to getting past that, although their coaches might have thought differently the other night in 3-1 loss at Clemson. Both programs some great young talent. Bakero probably worth keeping an eye on. Does anyone know background on their keeper, Alec Ferrell? Played at Internationals, coached by Embick, 6-4 190 and was pretty dominant back there tonight. Announcers called him the man of the match. He would have been a shoe in behind Meves who was a similar mold. Wake bio says he was RS in 2012, started last year. Doesn't make much sense he would leave such fertile ground.

Zipman222 http://zipsnation.org/forums/topic/31914-university-of-akron-soccer-tournament-this-weekend/?p=226480 here are the stats 2013 http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/2013-14/2013_Season_Statistics.pdf You make a very good point about giving up shots and it is probably not just possession and turnovers that are causing this: - MFs do fail to control the play to date but also tend to be late getting compact, placing us in many even man situations with the Fwds and AM. Line has to drop and doesn't challenge as they should, shots are taken. - Back line may be finding the mix but seems like one CB and LB are still up for grabs. Need to get that put away soon. Cregan looked good, maybe that is one down one to go. - Keeper has quickness but is small/slight for D1. When the opposing coach sees that they will be told to shoot early and often and be all over the frame. Zips recruited 3 similar w Pina 6-0/Fenlason 6-0/Demoya 5-10 in a row after 6-2 200? Neves for some reason (average D1 is 6-2/6-3 190). That all said if the offense can't generate goals it does not matter what you are doing defensively, you will not win games. But still, if you are not prolific in scoring you have to keep it close to get points. Therefore I Encourage them to score more and give less on this NDOE and take a few games at home this weekend!!

I agree on the pro outweigh the cons, and in the previous post put emphasis on the proper rejuvenation and patience required. Many football stadiums are low and by the water and struggle with keeping the grass healthy. Add to that Heinz has 2 teams playing on it plus some HS and yes it would be under terrible pressure for the entire fall, with the most pressure in late fall after the growing season. Cub Cadet could get some quality late summer sun and warm weather to recover and use after that is just the two soccer teams so it should be fine. There would be no visible lines as most use degradable paint now and it grows out quickly, especially on a short cut as Cub Cadet.

Most NFL camps have multiple adjacent grass fields. I can't find one with just one field. Many are done at Colleges and the example of the Steelers at St Vincent's in Latrobe is a good one. This is a very positive partnership and an hour from Pittsburgh. Info w photo of fields layout => http://www.wtae.com/sports/steelers-training-camp-directions-and-parking/15142092 The important quote from the Fox article seems to be "There's a reason that no Div. I football program hosts an NFL training camp right now, and that comes down to space and sharing issues," Wistrcill said. "Our people are trying to look at all those logistical issues. We go in (planning to) submit a multi-year plan, and maybe the layout of camp looks significantly different in the second and third years than it does in the first." If that is true and there is an improvement plan they would have in mind how about if they: - Took the well used matted practice turf which is too narrow for soccer anyway and put it back to grass for football. Now you would have 2 grass areas to train in, the soccer pitch with light lines and no field goals or maybe removable/portable ones. - Add a new high quality turf field with proper width and both football and soccer lines on the property on the other side of Exchange St. at Wheeler and Brown. Even with what appear to be tennis courts there the rest of the open space is as big as the current soccer pitch plus some margin. Training could be taken there and the football stadium turf in the case of heavy rains. 2 adjacent grass to distribute regular sessions and 2 high quality turf to transition to when needed. The risk is that the grounds keeper would not meet the challenge of getting pitch back to A+ standards and home opener might have to be pushed back and exhibitions in August an impossibility (unless done on new turf) as the Browns go to Aug 15 and there is no way a few days is enough recovery after some repair. If there is a will there is a way to get it back and dull any lines etc, but it has to be done correctly by people familiar with that level repair/rolling/decompacting etc that would need to be done. Those guys are out there in the football world with teams that have a grass game field, at least on a consultancy basis to get everyone up to par. The big plus outside of the general University benefits mentioned would be that the soccer team now has an A+ full sized modern surfaced soccer training pitch. The current one is about 190' width versus 228' for games (google maps measure) and that is meaningful in soccer terms. Ideally you want to train on the same dimensions as you play, especially in width. Use Browns $/rent and modeled visitor income to build the fields and viewing, sales, vending, new parking surface SE football stadium, clean up area some more, etc. Roll it all in.

A Tale of 2 Cities. CCU outshot UMD 13-10 at College Park and arguably could have won that game, I watched a good portion of it and enjoy watching both teams play. He has a very nice mix of players and Garbanzo has been outstanding. Character for his unit was shown in 3-2 win from 0-2 down v UConn all in the second half. Lots of heart in that team. Interesting to look at his staff. Young and ambitious w 2 CCU grads. 2009, 2012, 2013 - kids. He is investing from within and teaching in HIS way how he wants it done. I would bet he has the youngest staff in top 25. That team and staff is probably pretty tight and committed to each other. I think it would be very tough to tear him away from what he has so carefully built at this point and the moment seems to have passed as their ship is rising. Now back to Akron. What do you guys see on the sidelines when you watch the games?

Hoping for better performance before home opener! http://www.fgcuathletics.com/sports/2014/8/28/asuntvhelp.aspx

Went by GoZIPs site today, noticed that this USF post game article (and highlights) http://www.gozips.co.../201409056no0nj seems to have been pulled as of yesterday when I first noticed it from the http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/index page. Has this season driven me into delirium and caused me to start seeing things that are untrue? Edit: Article was added back in to follow FGCU draw piece. Freedom of the press is alive and well once again.

http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/2014-15/releases/201409056no0nj Goals in the highlights tell it all. Chaos abounds. #20 active... Bet was go with veterans to lead from the back and midfield. Not working. Weak goals, I get queasy every time other team around the 18. Bet was go with 3 players that feel very similar up top, not working. Holtfusen best of bunch. No target man or quick/dangerous attacker, miss Seremba. Bet was 2 transfers would help. Not working but not bad trade for those that left, just did not fill graduate's shoes. With so many key players leaving needed some better pick ups. Bet was Najem and midfield would have good start, not working without Souto. This has been the same game for the most part 4 times now. Hard to watch. Start by changing lineup. Veterans not leading and staying with same roster will probably generate similar results. They had their chance. Shake it up and make them work to get back in. Are Souders Najem and Fenlason untouchable? Is Radjen the guy? Will Saad stop taking it straight into pressure? Wake everyone up and worst case is you lose some more games and give your future some valuable experience. Imagine if we win a couple?!?! If that fails then I guess suggested staff changes on the line but that is really tough in short, condensed college season. That should be last resort. Maybe they get brave and make changes and come out heros by NCAAs and low seed entry via MAC and get to second round. (That is my prediction of what will happen, soon. Nothing to lose and everything to gain and staff goes last dollar on double sixes) Damn the torpedoes!!

The way the rules are these days w zero tolerance around accosting the refs like that with a head butt no less I am sure he and the program knew he was going to be suspended for at least a game (red on final game carry over) and more for violent nature. He had to know it was coming as multiple games and 4 plus two post season (pray for MAC counting) may have been more than suspected, or maybe upped for Spring continuance of bad behavior. No surprises. I think he will be high side and lead the team or learned a very hard lesson for him and his team and be a saint.

Matt Foldesy started today IU v MU. Subbed out 25' in, returning at 66', out with 6' left. Playing respectably/smart, but not the quickest MF out there. Laryea/Souto/Najem all better but he would have been valuable off the bench, Jesse G-A more the soccer player but lacks the experience and probably not as good defensively. Add: Phil Fives has not logged minutes in the first 2 games. Unranked IU has been much better today, managing the ball well and has a nice group of younger players getting heavy minutes in second game in 3 days in this heat. Not reliant on Femi H-J at all. MU less depth, looks tired. All American candidate Lyon has been quite good on the day as you would expect, both GKs solid. Add: TDS week 2 Top 25 rankings out, IU in at 19. Stanford (12 to 22) WF (9 to 23) and UA (14 to 24). Same 3 with most FR in rosters of top schools (11,12,12). That makes me feel better in a way, all good programs naturally struggling with large influx of youngers. Things should improve for all three as season progresses but falling out of top 25 a real possibility after this week as WF faces UConn at home and UA has two challenging road games and little time to prepare or make changes. Stanford at home v SJS gets confidence builder.

Lolla = New $20mm stadium and ACC. Not going anywhere unless program falls down and he is invited to find another home. Not very likely anytime soon. Here is the goal at 3' in http://www.golobos.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=87119&SPSID=841917 3 defenders around the shot w Fisher winding up at the arc, nobody gets on it. Keeper reacts a little late with ball entering the 6, ball scoots under his arm. A good shot but plain uninspired work in the back. Shots 20 to 5 and 9 to 2 SOG favoring Lobos and couple off the frame, maybe Najem scores one inside and deserving score was probably 3-1. Most revealing stat was 8 Lobos with 2 or more shots, Zips one in Holthusen. Not impressed with defensive effort once again and next 2 games will not be as easy as one might have thought when the schedule came out. They will be under pressure. Like Marchionne more than Schultz, feels more dangerous and harder to defend. We need some dangerous in doses with 1 goal in 3 games! Holthusen a keeper. Still can't decide Gainford. Moderate improvement in the MF, better game out of Jessie G-A. Laryea settling in. Now understand the self inflicted cause for Souto absence and need to get others in the flow. Field still feels like it narrows as we go forward and younger fwds tend to crowd in and allow defenders to get neatly compact. Need to use more field and continue to improve movement off the ball but it was better than first 2 games, if only somewhat. Was not flat out lazy like exhibitions. Idea is that group of 'experienced' players will show the way and lead the younger guys. That is mostly in the back as 2 Fr MFs and 2 Fwds and one RS Fr Fwd make up what looks like the rest. If this overall group does not get with it in the next two to three games there are some freshmen (Kahsay, Cregan, Wiedt, Rubio) that could join the rest of their class and do no worse in terms of results, and at least you are making a full investment in your assumed future for what should be a formidable team in 2-3 years, a potential contender. The transfers and returnees are just not impressing enough so far, but it is still probably early to go into damn the torpedoes get young mode. 5-6 showings says enough? Mid season at about 10? Stay the prescribed course and let it take you where it might into the MAC?

Another great night for soccer, even if slightly sticky. About 2,000 on hand. Support is there for sure. Better than last week and perhaps B+ for needed effort, but the storyline is essentially the same: - MF never took ownership of the game. What has happened to that mandate in terms of style of play? Are we just trying to hustle a little more here and there on the field in random skirmishes and hope to end up w more goals at 90:00 mark or are we determined to own and dictate as deserved? You can own the ball and lose at times, but that is a better way to go out and will get you where you want to be. Is Souto in jail for some reason, new 1/3 minutes guy former starter and recently fine player? This is key issue number 1 to me, and until that is fixed with whatever combination in the MF the engine is out of the car and it affects us both ways as the other team actually has the ball to play with at least half the time for the first time in 6 years and then we have to defend in the normal run of play, not just counters and set plays as before. - Back line + Keeper gave 2 poor goals. That is just too easy and honestly inexcusable for a team at this level. First Ekblom simply squirts thru 2 defenders and keeper watches on the line w/o contesting. Second one LB out of play, Keeper scoops/pushes ball over to unmarked man who waltzes in far post for tap in 3 second left. Again the opposing team far more stout in the back than Zips and the previous tendency to be goal stingy seems suddenly elusive. Past comment was that Embick ran the offense and Caleb ran the defense. Offense was fabulous 2008-12, no quarrels there. Use of field/width was better and fwds showed ability to be dangerous, even if not delivered in the match. That will come as it shows with the group, starting with Holthusen. He should have had one tonight and he knew it. They will come as long as they use the field and stretch the defenders. Let Najem and Laryea lurk the perimeter to free up and shoot or attack. Lots to handle and once on the same page, should produce. Lastly we liked the fouls and even the 3 yellows. Showed some spirit, passion. Those attributes will come in handy in what could be a rough and tumble early regular season where players come and go in the lineup until the mix is set and the MAC Tourney grants her generous means into the NCAA gates. We have the players to get there. What is missing in the recipe?

This team's success is built on technical excellence, possession, immediate pressure, great transitioning, well executed patterns of play. Dictating from the first minute with some wonderful players who are also world class athletes. The scrimmage, while just a scrimmage, was against #2 MD and was a much for early season tests by player and position as it was for pride. MD came to play their first line and win. Up 3 the subs followed. Last year was story of lack of more scoring/finishing up top and keeper changes. Outstanding midfield, high possession with opponents sitting back and disciplined overall play brought 11th best in nation goals given but out of top 50 saves %age tells another story once shots fly. Midfield has the personnel in Najem-Souto-Laryea so let's assume that gels and will be fine once they play together. Forward has a few that should bring scoring mix that was absent last year. Big plus if Saad to play it more quickly and simply, avoid giving away the ball so readily final third when he goes up, fighting into pressure at times. Thus back line and the keeper will end up telling the story will be my guess for 2014-15, especially after what we saw the other day. That was leaky, and given the number of 1 goal games and OT wins or even by PKs we can hardly afford it. Zips have the players, it should sort itself out.

Perfect evening, nice crowd, decent number of Terps there too. We expected 1-1 or 1-2 v well coached MD side. Terps were unremarkable although credit where credit due ala scoreline, yet Zips were lacking, early and often. Second PK given it would have been 4-0 in fairness. Small glimpses from Laryea and Souto, otherwise stalled MF. Najem seemed frustrated, Saad turned over for first goal and pk second. Garcia-Aguilar the surprise start. Souto in at 59', for Najem? They play together w Laryea in season I assume. Radjen not surprising if they wanted experience in the back from CSu regular, but then Kahsay did not play at all, slight injury? Radjen was out of position and confused several times, got staggered and man slipped directly behind him once and he never saw it, fortunately pass cut off. Weidt looked promising late, carries himself well for Fr. Defensively they seem harried and might lack speed CB, requiring even more discipline. Keeper just not imposing and seems slight. Avoid set pieces please.. Movement off the ball was dull, they looked as if they just came of a game and had no legs/willingness. Could have been a tough week of training. No real build up, field played as narrow, more hallmarks of tired legs. Lazy does not seem like a trait of this group, worn and tired an almost hopeful explanation? Anyone concerned, or was this a fluke to be forgotten once season has started?

Those who stayed are quality and the new crop seem talented. Fr heavy would suggest any decent NCAA showing this year should portend several rich years to come, so while young if the right mix it's great foundation building and very positive. Ran the numbers out of curiosity ex Akron. Wake at #11 has 12 too. Average is around 8. These are just numbers anyway, so for what it is worth. Freshmen on 2014 Rosters Notre Dame 6 Maryland 5 Virginia 9 UCLA 7 New Mexico 9 Washington 7 Cal 8 Uconn 9 Gtown 6 Mich State 6 Wake Forest 12 Marquette 4 Louisville 8 Penn State 4 UC Irvine 6 Coastal Carolina 6 UCSB 9 Stanford 11 Wisconsin 12 N Carolina 8 Charlotte 10 Cal St Northridge 6 Navy 10 ODU 8 Average 7.8 StDev 2.3

Was down there last week day of Lebron Fest with a friend and watched an early afternoon session for about an hour. Seemed spirited and well organized by captains. Holthusen, De Vera, Cregan, Rubio all looked good. I last saw the Dayton Spring game and there are some good young players out there that were pretty crisp on the ball and quick to defend on transition that should help the cause. There was a mid I could not place that looked like a good add, only returners in numbered gear so not sure. Holthusen could bring well needed threat up top. The returners Souders Saad Najem looked solid as one might expect. Seremba showed his quickness but had playing brace on still, maybe just being cautious. I didn't see the whole session and it was just Captain's practice so I would not put too much stock in what we saw. I was at several season games last year and plus Dayton, and being relatively new to NE Ohio and fortunate to be close enough to see them play I have to ask if this is the youngest side they have put forth, and if so is it just the last ripple effect of Porter moving on or do the Zips lose so many from top to MLS and bottom to other schools where they can get real minutes that this is the norm here? 16 (12 Fr and 4 RS-Fr) of 26 with no college minutes, albeit with nice resumes. The makeup is a team itself just with the Freshmen. GK, 4 D, 4 MF, 3 F. Granted many trained/played MLS reserves, PDL, MNT, overseas etc so they are not green per se, but can anyone find a younger team in the top 25?