Soccer 2011 recruiting class

[Blue & Gold]

Updated class of 2011.

Name			  Pos.	 Hometown		  High School		  Club 

Andy Chiu		 F		El Paso, Texas	Coronado			 Real Salt Lake 

Kyle Culbertson   MF/D	 Olentangy, Ohio   Olentangy			Crew Soccer Academy 

Bryan Gallego	 D		Kinnelon, N.J.	St. Benedict's Prep  New York Red Bulls Academy 

David Murrow	  MF	   Parma, Ohio	   Strongsville		 Cleveland Internationals 

William Trapp	 MF	   Gahanna, Ohio	 Lincoln			  Crew Soccer Academy 

DeAndre Yedlin	MF/D	 Seattle, Wash.	O'Dea				Sounders FC Academy

Thanks, Zach.

So is this a finalized list? And, if so, how do we have so many roster spots available, there being only 3 seniors on this year's squad?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Murrow snippet from today's PD

[meatwad]

Thanks, Zach.

So is this a finalized list? And, if so, how do we have so many roster spots available, there being only 3 seniors on this year's squad?

Probably not final. I know Tulloch and Mattocks were very late adds to this year's class. That could of course happen again.

To answer your other question, we will definitely be losing some underclassmen early to the MLS which will free up a couple more spots. But also, soccer scholarships aren't like football or basketball in the sense that you have x number to give away and they are all full scholarships. Soccer players are often given partial (half, quarter, etc.) scholarships to play. It's hard to know exactly how many "full" scholarships we are gaining back from the graduating seniors and the players that might be leaving early.

[Blue & Gold]

Thanks, Zach.

So is this a finalized list? And, if so, how do we have so many roster spots available, there being only 3 seniors on this year's squad?

Probably not final. I know Tulloch and Mattocks were very late adds to this year's class. That could of course happen again.

To answer your other question, we will definitely be losing some underclassmen early to the MLS which will free up a couple more spots. But also, soccer scholarships aren't like football or basketball in the sense that you have x number to give away and they are all full scholarships. Soccer players are often given partial (half, quarter, etc.) scholarships to play. It's hard to know exactly how many "full" scholarships we are gaining back from the graduating seniors and the players that might be leaving early.

Thanks clearing that up for me!

[Zip_ME87]

David Murrow's season continues. Strongsville defeated Copley 4 - 1 tonight. Fun game (worth the short drive from Brunswick). Up next, undefeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights.

[Blue & Gold]

David Murrow's season continues. Strongsville defeated Copley 4 - 1 tonight. Fun game (worth the short drive from Brunswick). Up next, undefeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights.

How did David look?

[Zip_ME87]

David Murrow's season continues. Strongsville defeated Copley 4 - 1 tonight. Fun game (worth the short drive from Brunswick). Up next, undefeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights.

How did David look?

He looked good...fast and good movement/ball control.

[ZachTheZip]

From what I understand, Murrow has graduated early and will be on campus starting next week.

[Zip_ME87]

From what I understand, Murrow has graduated early and will be on campus starting next week.

Yes. A mutual friend of his family confirmed that for me.

[MDZip]

From the BigSoccer board discussing the top coaches in the country, an OSU fan decided to vent on his coach.

This is my first post on here but I have been a long time viewer and finally decided to get an account. I must say your list is pretty accurate, however I have a hard time believing that John Bluem is a top 20 coach in NCAA soccer. Sure he made the championship one year which is a great feat, don't get me wrong, but what else has he done to warrant this rating when he has arguably the best athletic department and facilities in the country backing him? He is a poor recruiter if you ask me. And on that national runner-up team, Eric Brunner transferred back home after starting at Maryland as a freshman, and Roger Espinoza was picked up from a JUCO. If you look at Akron's roster this year that won the national championship and compare it with Ohio State, it's 9 native of Ohio on OSU's roster and 11 Ohio natives on Akron's roster which is close, so I am not calling the overall number into question. I am however calling into question the quality of the natives. Excluding goalkeeper Matt Lampson and Konrad Warzycha, most the other Ohio natives from OSU wouldn't see the field at Akron.

It's just frustrating to see all these national team players of Ohio pass on Ohio State for Akron. Big Ten vs. MAC. Columbus vs. Akron. The Academics of OSU vs. Academics of Akron. (Prior to the renovation of Lee Jackson Field) Akron's soccer facility vs. Jesse Owens Stadium. And I know in at least two recruits in this senior class the trend will continue with one of them being national team player Will Trapp.

I don't really appreciate all of the slams in the last paragraph (more elitist attitude) but he has a point in that what Caleb has done is even more amazing.

[bisbee]

From the BigSoccer board discussing the top coaches in the country, an OSU fan decided to vent on his coach.

This is my first post on here but I have been a long time viewer and finally decided to get an account. I must say your list is pretty accurate, however I have a hard time believing that John Bluem is a top 20 coach in NCAA soccer. Sure he made the championship one year which is a great feat, don't get me wrong, but what else has he done to warrant this rating when he has arguably the best athletic department and facilities in the country backing him? He is a poor recruiter if you ask me. And on that national runner-up team, Eric Brunner transferred back home after starting at Maryland as a freshman, and Roger Espinoza was picked up from a JUCO. If you look at Akron's roster this year that won the national championship and compare it with Ohio State, it's 9 native of Ohio on OSU's roster and 11 Ohio natives on Akron's roster which is close, so I am not calling the overall number into question. I am however calling into question the quality of the natives. Excluding goalkeeper Matt Lampson and Konrad Warzycha, most the other Ohio natives from OSU wouldn't see the field at Akron.

It's just frustrating to see all these national team players of Ohio pass on Ohio State for Akron. Big Ten vs. MAC. Columbus vs. Akron. The Academics of OSU vs. Academics of Akron. (Prior to the renovation of Lee Jackson Field) Akron's soccer facility vs. Jesse Owens Stadium. And I know in at least two recruits in this senior class the trend will continue with one of them being national team player Will Trapp.

I don't really appreciate all of the slams in the last paragraph (more elitist attitude) but he has a point in that what Caleb has done is even more amazing.

It's Caleb Porter and his incredible coaching. That's why my grandson is coming here from Seattle.

[Roogangs]

A couple of years ago I was talking with Kofi about his choice on coming to Akron vs OSU. He was saying that he and Barson both we looking at schools together (even though Kofi was going to be starting a year sooner). After visiting OSU Kofi said he asked Barson what he thought. Barson's response was something like, " i would not play for Blum in a million years!" they then visited Akron with CP and well the rest is as we know it. I am sure those two had a huge part in the rest of last years freshman class and Kitchen this past year coming, seeing that they were all friends prior to Akron!

[meatwad]

A couple of years ago I was talking with Kofi about his choice on coming to Akron vs OSU. He was saying that he and Barson both we looking at schools together (even though Kofi was going to be starting a year sooner). After visiting OSU Kofi said he asked Barson what he thought. Barson's response was something like, " i would not play for Blum in a million years!" they then visited Akron with CP and well the rest is as we know it. I am sure those two had a huge part in the rest of last years freshman class and Kitchen this past year coming, seeing that they were all friends prior to Akron!

All accounts point to Blum being a complete and total jackass. It's easy to win recruiting battles when the other coach is unhinged, haha.

[fknbuflobo]

From the BigSoccer board discussing the top coaches in the country, an OSU fan decided to vent on his coach.

This is my first post on here but I have been a long time viewer and finally decided to get an account. I must say your list is pretty accurate, however I have a hard time believing that John Bluem is a top 20 coach in NCAA soccer. Sure he made the championship one year which is a great feat, don't get me wrong, but what else has he done to warrant this rating when he has arguably the best athletic department and facilities in the country backing him? He is a poor recruiter if you ask me. And on that national runner-up team, Eric Brunner transferred back home after starting at Maryland as a freshman, and Roger Espinoza was picked up from a JUCO. If you look at Akron's roster this year that won the national championship and compare it with Ohio State, it's 9 native of Ohio on OSU's roster and 11 Ohio natives on Akron's roster which is close, so I am not calling the overall number into question. I am however calling into question the quality of the natives. Excluding goalkeeper Matt Lampson and Konrad Warzycha, most the other Ohio natives from OSU wouldn't see the field at Akron.

It's just frustrating to see all these national team players of Ohio pass on Ohio State for Akron. Big Ten vs. MAC. Columbus vs. Akron. The Academics of OSU vs. Academics of Akron. (Prior to the renovation of Lee Jackson Field) Akron's soccer facility vs. Jesse Owens Stadium. And I know in at least two recruits in this senior class the trend will continue with one of them being national team player Will Trapp.

I don't really appreciate all of the slams in the last paragraph (more elitist attitude) but he has a point in that what Caleb has done is even more amazing.

It's Caleb Porter and his incredible coaching. That's why my grandson is coming here from Seattle.

bisbee, Yedlin is your grandson? Are you from around here?

[bisbee]

[bisbee, Yedlin is your grandson? Are you from around here?

Nope..he is coming here because of Porter.

[RootforRoo44]

A couple of years ago I was talking with Kofi about his choice on coming to Akron vs OSU. He was saying that he and Barson both we looking at schools together (even though Kofi was going to be starting a year sooner). After visiting OSU Kofi said he asked Barson what he thought. Barson's response was something like, " i would not play for Blum in a million years!" they then visited Akron with CP and well the rest is as we know it. I am sure those two had a huge part in the rest of last years freshman class and Kitchen this past year coming, seeing that they were all friends prior to Akron!

All accounts point to Blum being a complete and total jackass. It's easy to win recruiting battles when the other coach is unhinged, haha.

I could tell how much of a jackass he is from that post game he did after his player cheap-shotted ours when he said he didn't think the play warranted a red card. What a buffoon.

[Ando]

What's our backline gonna look like next year? It seems with Mattocks returning, Speas probably starting, plus Genovesi seeing substantial time not to mention Jimmy Tulloch and now this Chieu (sp?) kid from texas, I think we've got plenty of depth up top. Where I haven't gotten the same impression of depth is all along the defensive line. I like Barson, but he was probably the weakest link back there, and he's our only returner. Not that I think Barson's incapable in any way - No, I'd say the issue is more finding guys who can play outside and come forward like Caleb likes them to - Any word on players like that?

We picked up Gallego - what's the profile on him? Is he a center back, does he play outside, what?

You guys think we're sticking to a 4-4-2 again or no?

[yazan07]

What's our backline gonna look like next year? It seems with Mattocks returning, Speas probably starting, plus Genovesi seeing substantial time not to mention Jimmy Tulloch and now this Chieu (sp?) kid from texas, I think we've got plenty of depth up top. Where I haven't gotten the same impression of depth is all along the defensive line. I like Barson, but he was probably the weakest link back there, and he's our only returner. Not that I think Barson's incapable in any way - No, I'd say the issue is more finding guys who can play outside and come forward like Caleb likes them to - Any word on players like that?

We picked up Gallego - what's the profile on him? Is he a center back, does he play outside, what?

You guys think we're sticking to a 4-4-2 again or no?

Well first of all Ando, welcome to Zipsnation. Second of all, I think your girlfriend was looking for you the other day.

We have a ton of forward depth. There will be a logjam unless people transfer, cause we have Speas (good chance he'll probably up top) the two Jamaicans, Schmitt, Genovesi, Diaz, and Chiu. Rumor has it that Porter has said that Ontiveros/Brenes (who didn't play that much this season) are going to be better than Ampai/Gavin. Those two, coupled with Caldwell and #4 ranked in the nation Will Trapp should be a solid midfield. One player we have coming in that is supposed to be an attack-minded outside defender is DeAndre Yedlin from Seattle who is ranked 13th in the nation. I think Gallego is a centerback. That gives us two centerbacks if that is true. Not sure who plays the other outside back position; maybe Balogna, maybe Stevenson. Really, I think a player who has played as a midfielder can play those outside back positions because of the way Porter utilizes the position. Also, with the departure of his holiness Perry Kitchen, Porter may have two midfielders play more reserved to help the defense.

[meatwad]

What's our backline gonna look like next year? It seems with Mattocks returning, Speas probably starting, plus Genovesi seeing substantial time not to mention Jimmy Tulloch and now this Chieu (sp?) kid from texas, I think we've got plenty of depth up top. Where I haven't gotten the same impression of depth is all along the defensive line. I like Barson, but he was probably the weakest link back there, and he's our only returner. Not that I think Barson's incapable in any way - No, I'd say the issue is more finding guys who can play outside and come forward like Caleb likes them to - Any word on players like that?

We picked up Gallego - what's the profile on him? Is he a center back, does he play outside, what?

You guys think we're sticking to a 4-4-2 again or no?

Shhh! It is a well kept secret, but I think maybe, just maybe Barson was better than Zarek last year. Keep that on the DL though.

Chad will be fine back there. If the newcomers get up to speed by tourney time (shouldn't be a problem) we'll be ready to make another run at it!

[Roogangs]

What's our backline gonna look like next year? It seems with Mattocks returning, Speas probably starting, plus Genovesi seeing substantial time not to mention Jimmy Tulloch and now this Chieu (sp?) kid from texas, I think we've got plenty of depth up top. Where I haven't gotten the same impression of depth is all along the defensive line. I like Barson, but he was probably the weakest link back there, and he's our only returner. Not that I think Barson's incapable in any way - No, I'd say the issue is more finding guys who can play outside and come forward like Caleb likes them to - Any word on players like that?

We picked up Gallego - what's the profile on him? Is he a center back, does he play outside, what?

You guys think we're sticking to a 4-4-2 again or no?

Welcome Ando, however I dont think you have watched a single game the past two years! Barson being the "weakest link"? The kid is the most consistent and intelligent player I think I have ever watched. If anyone had a poor season it was Valentin, way to many give aways. Barson will anchor another great D line next year along with the new ones.

[meatwad]

Welcome Ando, however I dont think you have watched a single game the past two years! Barson being the "weakest link"? The kid is the most consistent and intelligent player I think I have ever watched. If anyone had a poor season it was Valentin, way to many give aways. Barson will anchor another great D line next year along with the new ones.

My thoughts exactly. It's hard to define any of our back line guys as "weak links" but Barson was the most consistent and intelligent back their all year. Good call Roogangs.

[jem101]

Welcome Ando, however I dont think you have watched a single game the past two years! Barson being the "weakest link"? The kid is the most consistent and intelligent player I think I have ever watched. If anyone had a poor season it was Valentin, way to many give aways. Barson will anchor another great D line next year along with the new ones.

My thoughts exactly. It's hard to define any of our back line guys as "weak links" but Barson was the most consistent and intelligent back their all year. Good call Roogangs.

I've gotta agree. Barson and Korb were the two bed rocks on D last year. Zarek was more talented, but made a lot of awful decisions and of course Kofi played more Offense than defense last year. Hopefully the recruits can come in and fill some big shoes.

[fknbuflobo]

Yes, Barson has the personality of a center back. He is rock solid and conservative. May all our defenders be such weak links! I agree with meatwad.

Valentin is more naturally a wing back where he can take more chances. Zarek will likely play wing back for Chivas.

Is it possible that Porter erroneously played Zarek Valentin out of his natural position these past two years? Valentin sure looked like a poor center back when up at Cleveland State.

[yazan07]

Yes, Barson has the personality of a center back. He is rock solid and conservative. May all our defenders be such weak links! I agree with meatwad.

Valentin is more naturally a wing back where he can take more chances. Zarek will likely play wing back for Chivas.

Is it possible that Porter erroneously played Zarek Valentin out of his natural position these past two years? Valentin sure looked like a poor center back when up at Cleveland State.

Yeah but he also played Perry Kitchen out of position too and I'd say that worked out pretty well.

[johnnyzip84]

Gallego Story