Z.I.P. Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 I am still waiting for the ABJ, or UA Media relations to issue an official report that Steve Zakuani will leave school after his sophomore year to play for pay. It would also be nice to see where he plans to play, in MLS or Europe. "Planning to enter the MLS draft" doesn't limit his possibilities. I think he would be able to play in most European second divisions now, but I can't help thinking his real aspiration -- given his background with Gooners Youth (that's FC Arsenal for you non-aquainteds) is to play in the Premier League. What's the fastest route to that goal? Certainly not through Major League Soccer, not that I don't love the US league, but any player who can go the European circuit would be crazy to pass it up. Not many Clint Dempsey's who can jump from US to EPL.So, if you read between the lines here, I am not convinved that Steve will not be back next season in the Blue and Gold. Many college players make themselves "available" to MLS, but later pull their names out of the hopper.One thing is virtually a sure thing: The University of Akron will have a Hermann Trophy in its display case. That's incredible, and will be another test of this AD's ability to take advantage of what drops in their laps. I can do no more than cross my fingers, based on past and recent experience. Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 I am still waiting for the ABJ, or UA Media relations to issue an official report that Steve Zakuani will leave school after his sophomore year to play for pay. It would also be nice to see where he plans to play, in MLS or Europe. "Planning to enter the MLS draft" doesn't limit his possibilities. I think he would be able to play in most European second divisions now, but I can't help thinking his real aspiration -- given his background with Gooners Youth (that's FC Arsenal for you non-aquainteds) is to play in the Premier League. What's the fastest route to that goal? Certainly not through Major League Soccer, not that I don't love the US league, but any player who can go the European circuit would be crazy to pass it up. Not many Clint Dempsey's who can jump from US to EPL.So, if you read between the lines here, I am not convinved that Steve will not be back next season in the Blue and Gold. Many college players make themselves "available" to MLS, but later pull their names out of the hopper.One thing is virtually a sure thing: The University of Akron will have a Hermann Trophy in its display case. That's incredible, and will be another test of this AD's ability to take advantage of what drops in their laps. I can do no more than cross my fingers, based on past and recent experience. Go Zips!I'm somewhat certain on steve leaving, though i guess i wont say any more on it than that. I wish it wasn't the case but having an MLS first pick come out of your school sure is going to look good for the program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 I am still waiting for the ABJ, or UA Media relations to issue an official report that Steve Zakuani will leave school after his sophomore year to play for pay. It would also be nice to see where he plans to play, in MLS or Europe. "Planning to enter the MLS draft" doesn't limit his possibilities. I think he would be able to play in most European second divisions now, but I can't help thinking his real aspiration -- given his background with Gooners Youth (that's FC Arsenal for you non-aquainteds) is to play in the Premier League. What's the fastest route to that goal? Certainly not through Major League Soccer, not that I don't love the US league, but any player who can go the European circuit would be crazy to pass it up. Not many Clint Dempsey's who can jump from US to EPL.So, if you read between the lines here, I am not convinved that Steve will not be back next season in the Blue and Gold. Many college players make themselves "available" to MLS, but later pull their names out of the hopper.One thing is virtually a sure thing: The University of Akron will have a Hermann Trophy in its display case. That's incredible, and will be another test of this AD's ability to take advantage of what drops in their laps. I can do no more than cross my fingers, based on past and recent experience. Go Zips!I'm somewhat certain on steve leaving, though i guess i wont say any more on it than that. I wish it wasn't the case but having an MLS first pick come out of your school sure is going to look good for the program.And having a Premier League player looks even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted December 16, 2008 Report Share Posted December 16, 2008 I am still waiting for the ABJ, or UA Media relations to issue an official report that Steve Zakuani will leave school after his sophomore year to play for pay. It would also be nice to see where he plans to play, in MLS or Europe. "Planning to enter the MLS draft" doesn't limit his possibilities. I think he would be able to play in most European second divisions now, but I can't help thinking his real aspiration -- given his background with Gooners Youth (that's FC Arsenal for you non-aquainteds) is to play in the Premier League. What's the fastest route to that goal? Certainly not through Major League Soccer, not that I don't love the US league, but any player who can go the European circuit would be crazy to pass it up. Not many Clint Dempsey's who can jump from US to EPL.So, if you read between the lines here, I am not convinved that Steve will not be back next season in the Blue and Gold. Many college players make themselves "available" to MLS, but later pull their names out of the hopper.One thing is virtually a sure thing: The University of Akron will have a Hermann Trophy in its display case. That's incredible, and will be another test of this AD's ability to take advantage of what drops in their laps. I can do no more than cross my fingers, based on past and recent experience. Go Zips!I'm somewhat certain on steve leaving, though i guess i wont say any more on it than that. I wish it wasn't the case but having an MLS first pick come out of your school sure is going to look good for the program.And having a Premier League player looks even better.no doubt it does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 It's official, and Steve has won the Hermann!GoZips Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 It's official, and Steve has won the Hermann!GoZips Linknot so fast...this is just the Soccer America POTY. Jan 9th is when the Hermann results come in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted December 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 It's official, and Steve has won the Hermann!GoZips Linknot so fast...this is just the Soccer America POTY. Jan 9th is when the Hermann results come in.No, but we all know, failing to win the award in St Louis will be the upset of the century. As the article stated, the last three SA POTYs have gone on to win the Hermann. And I believe the two underclassmen returned to their schools the following seasons (O'Brian White and Joe Lapira). Lapira returned for his senior year before signing with a second division Norway club. White was injured late this season. Not sure if Garey was a senior or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted December 17, 2008 Report Share Posted December 17, 2008 It's official, and Steve has won the Hermann!GoZips Linknot so fast...this is just the Soccer America POTY. Jan 9th is when the Hermann results come in..Oops. My bad. I hope I didn't jinx him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted December 21, 2008 Report Share Posted December 21, 2008 Even though I lost complete interest in the NCAA soccer tournament after our royal screw-over, I did just go back to see who won. Seems Maryland beat UNC, blah, blah blah, but ESPN had their post-season awards and had this to say about Steve Zakuani.Best Player: Steve Zakuani, AkronAfter leading the nation in scoring with 20 goals and seven helpers, Zakuani is the clear frontrunner for the Hermann Trophy. The other finalists are quality Wake Forest seniors Marcus Tracy and Sam Cronin, but if Zakuani doesn't win in a landslide it would be a travesty. If he does, the 6-foot forward from Zaire (via London) would become just the third sophomore to earn college soccer's highest individual honor, which the Missouri Athletic Club will award in St. Louis on Jan. 9.Like Gonzalez, Zakuani is also a solid pro prospect. His seven game-winners this year suggest he has a knack for netting important goals, and he already has a more impressive pedigree than most scholastic stars: He trained in Arsenal's youth system until he was 15 and his older brother has played professionally in England since 2002.It would take a tiny bit of the sting out of the year if he won the Hermann. I'm still ticked though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 Steve made it official today that he's going pro. I hope he lights it up wherever he winds up Beacon Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZipster0305 Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Hope he wins the Herman Trophy on Friday!Good luck to you, Steve. Do UA proud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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