Soccer America Gives Zips Love

[Z.I.P.]

The March issue of Soccer America has the college recruiting roundup article, and of course (like every other pub) places Akron at #1 in the national recruiting war. It features a great shot of Kofi Sarkodie and ex-USA teammate and incoming Zip frosh Scott Caldwell from Massachusetts embracing (after a Kofi goal I presume). Here's what SA had to say about Coach Porter's newest class (The first line of the review must have either been written in early January, or the author forgot that Steve Zakuani received the worst snub in NCAA soccer history) :1. Akron. The Zips lost Hermann Trophy winner Steve Zakuani, who turned pro after his sophomore year and is with MLS's Seattle Sounders FC, but they more than made up for that loss with the signing of five former residents at the U.S. U-17 national team program in Bradenton, Fla. -- goalie David Meves, defenders Zarek Valentin and Chad Barson and midfielders Ben Speas and Scott Caldwell -- and Yoram Mwila, who was the captain of the U-17 Zambian national team. They join former Bradenton residents Anthony Ampaipitakwong and Kofi Sarkodie, who will be a junior and sophomore in 2009 respectively.Akron's incoming class also included Matt Mason and Eric Stevenson, who are part of a stellar class of Ohio seniors. (The U-17 connection will continue next year, with the arrival of U-17 captain Perry Kitchen.)

[UAZipster0305]

Incredible...sounds like we should expect another #1 recruiting class next year too. I don't know how Coach Porter is doing it!