Akron v. VCU

[jem101]

The Akron Beacon is reporting that 2,835 people showed up last night for the exhibition match verse VCU. That's pretty impressive for a game that was meaningless. The stadium looks amazing! Unfortunately, last night the upper reserved section was closed, but other than that it looks ready to go.

I thought that both of the Jamaicans looked really exciting. They seem to be incredibly athletic, and I really noticed that Mattocks has a huge vertical. Kofi scored twice and Nagbe also scored. Besides the own goal in the second minute, I thought that we looked incredibly sharp and ready for the regular season. What did the rest of you that made it out think?

Side note, anyone know why Nanchoff didn't play?

[Captain Kangaroo]

Take that, Shaka Smart and District Baller!

[johnnyzip84]

The Akron Beacon is reporting that 2,835 people showed up last night for the exhibition match verse VCU. That's pretty impressive for a game that was meaningless. The stadium looks amazing! Unfortunately, last night the upper reserved section was closed, but other than that it looks ready to go.

I thought that both of the Jamaicans looked really exciting. They seem to be incredibly athletic, and I really noticed that Mattocks has a huge vertical. Kofi scored twice and Nagbe also scored. Besides the own goal in the second minute, I thought that we looked incredibly sharp and ready for the regular season. What did the rest of you that made it out think?

Side note, anyone know why Nanchoff didn't play?

I was only there for the 1st half, but I agree the team looked pretty sharp (Meves slip was no doubt influenced by the slick field at the beginning of the game) and the stadium looked great. The Rowdies were doing a nice job as usual (giving it to the ex-Zip keeper for VCU). I thought Kitchen was just a little tentative early on, but he seemed to settle as the game went on.

On a side note, here's an article that quote's Porter as saying he think the team is ahead of last year's team at this point!

Link

I was thinking the same thing, Cap'n!

[skip-zip]

The Akron Beacon is reporting that 2,835 people showed up last night for the exhibition match verse VCU. That's pretty impressive for a game that was meaningless. The stadium looks amazing! Unfortunately, last night the upper reserved section was closed, but other than that it looks ready to go.

I thought that both of the Jamaicans looked really exciting. They seem to be incredibly athletic, and I really noticed that Mattocks has a huge vertical. Kofi scored twice and Nagbe also scored. Besides the own goal in the second minute, I thought that we looked incredibly sharp and ready for the regular season. What did the rest of you that made it out think?

Side note, anyone know why Nanchoff didn't play?

I was only there for the 1st half, but I agree the team looked pretty sharp (Meves slip was no doubt influenced by the slick field at the beginning of the game) and the stadium looked great. The Rowdies were doing a nice job as usual (giving it to the ex-Zip keeper for VCU). I thought Kitchen was just a little tentative early on, but he seemed to settle as the game went on.

On a side note, here's an article that quote's Porter as saying he think the team is ahead of last year's team at this point!

Link

I was thinking the same thing, Cap'n!

Pretty scary to imagine that. Especially for those who are on our schedule this year

[w00t]

• The first 20 minutes were nothing to write home about, but they seemed to settle in after that (hope the field conditions improve, Meves wasn't the only one having problems getting good footing early on).
  
• All of the newcomers look solid, which of course is exciting. Kitchen is very vocal and seems like a natural leader even as a Freshman. Mattocks and Tulloch are both big and athletic and HUSTLE like crazy... they will give opponents fits up front.
  
• Nanchoff was missing due to his hamstring bothering him.
  
• Pantazelos made a couple of good saves for VCU. I didn't really like the Rowdies giving Giffard, Pantazelos, and Mwila a hard time... all three played a part in what was a great season last year and I don't think they deserved the "AK-RON RE-JECTS" chant.
  
• Speaking of Rowdies, there were a ton of them and they were extremely loud.
  
• Barson nearly got on the scoresheet late in the game as well but was denied by a defender who looked from my vantagepoint to have handled the ball. There's no doubt in my mind we have the most dynamic back four in the NCAA.
  
• There was a GREAT crowd for a preseason match, but I'd be interested to hear how it was counted, because I think 2,835 is stretching it a bit.
  
• For what it's worth (probably not much), Virginia beat VCU 1-0 in their first preseason match.
  

Almost there, can't wait to head to NC next Friday!

[GoZips]

* The first 20 minutes were nothing to write home about, but they seemed to settle in after that (hope the field conditions improve, Meves wasn't the only one having problems getting good footing early on).

* All of the newcomers look solid, which of course is exciting. Kitchen is very vocal and seems like a natural leader even as a Freshman. Mattocks and Tulloch are both big and athletic and HUSTLE like crazy... they will give opponents fits up front.

* Nanchoff was missing due to his hamstring bothering him.

* Pantazelos made a couple of good saves for VCU. I didn't really like the Rowdies giving Giffard, Pantazelos, and Mwila a hard time... all three played a part in what was a great season last year and I don't think they deserved the "AK-RON RE-JECTS" chant.

* Speaking of Rowdies, there were a ton of them and they were extremely loud.

* Barson nearly got on the scoresheet late in the game as well but was denied by a defender who looked from my vantagepoint to have handled the ball. There's no doubt in my mind we have the most dynamic back four in the NCAA.

* There was a GREAT crowd for a preseason match, but I'd be interested to hear how it was counted, because I think 2,835 is stretching it a bit.

* For what it's worth (probably not much), Virginia beat VCU 1-0 in their first preseason match.

Almost there, can't wait to head to NC next Friday!

Unlike W00t, I liked the first half. The early adversity of the own goal challenged the kids to reach

down and pull themselves up. They responded well as they repeatedly took VCU to task. The first half

was "all Zips". It was, at times, sloppy with weak ball movement. However, most of the half was played

on the VCU side. Akron controlled, or better still, dominated.

Several Zips suffered from footing slips. Is this as before, due to short cleats? Short cleats give better

speed at the price of making it difficult to cut. Which is exactly what happened to Meves.

The newcomers quickly showed that they belong.

I agree that the AK-Rowdies were out in force and plenty loud. As for berating them for busting Gillard

and the two former players, I say to the Rowdies, go for it. Its soccer, not high tea or cricket.

Personally I thought the 2,835 count was a tad under the actual. Not many schools can charge five bucks

to watch a non-counting exhibition game and draw more than flies.

I sat in the high row of the east bleachers for the first half. Unfortunately, I could not see either goal

scored because the balls were low and the view blocked by the Rowdies. Still, a commanding view of

most of the pitch.

I moved to the new northwest SRO embankment just west of the Zips bench for the second half. A really

good view of the action and goal scored.

Of note is the influence passed on to Gillard and his charges. Playing VCU was very much like playing

the Akron reserves as their style on both offense and defense looked all the world like Akron's style.

Which, of course, came from Mike Freitag, the former, great Indiana coach Caleb Porter played for.

Thank you Mike.

Gillard will have VCU among the top ten teams in the country with in three years. What a great legacy

for Caleb and his charges.

[mes102]

I just wanted to say that before the game, most of the returning Rowdies were applauding Giffard when he was near near the berm...but I can't say the same for Yoram Mwila and Josh Pantazelos...

Just think about it for other sports as well. Say Zeke Marshall starts over Dakotah Euton this year. We win the MAC. We make it to NCAA Tournament. Dakotah Euton transfers. Would you feel the same way about Dakotah that you're feeling about Yoram and Josh? It should be, or you're being hypocritical...

[meatwad]

I just wanted to say that before the game, most of the returning Rowdies were applauding Giffard when he was near near the berm...but I can't say the same for Yoram Mwila and Josh Pantazelos...

Just think about it for other sports as well. Say Zeke Marshall starts over Dakotah Euton this year. We win the MAC. We make it to NCAA Tournament. Dakotah Euton transfers. Would you feel the same way about Dakotah that you're feeling about Yoram and Josh? It should be, or you're being hypocritical...

It depends on the situation. Yoram and Josh were most certainly not going to see any playing time in the near future. They were both on some sort of scholarship (of which there are a limited number in soccer). By transferring they gave us a chance to get players that can compete for playing time as opposed to having scholarship players on the bench.

It was wrong of the Rowdies to chant at them. Don't get me wrong, I love the Rowdies and think most of their chants are awesome. I agree that this one was out of bounds.

You reference to Dakotah is apples and oranges to this situation.

[mes102]

I just wanted to say that before the game, most of the returning Rowdies were applauding Giffard when he was near near the berm...but I can't say the same for Yoram Mwila and Josh Pantazelos...

Just think about it for other sports as well. Say Zeke Marshall starts over Dakotah Euton this year. We win the MAC. We make it to NCAA Tournament. Dakotah Euton transfers. Would you feel the same way about Dakotah that you're feeling about Yoram and Josh? It should be, or you're being hypocritical...

It depends on the situation. Yoram and Josh were most certainly not going to see any playing time in the near future. They were both on some sort of scholarship (of which there are a limited number in soccer). By transferring they gave us a chance to get players that can compete for playing time as opposed to having scholarship players on the bench.

It was wrong of the Rowdies to chant at them. Don't get me wrong, I love the Rowdies and think most of their chants are awesome. I agree that this one was out of bounds.

You reference to Dakotah is apples and oranges to this situation.

I believed that Yoram would of had more playing time this year than last year...I do believe that Yoram played some minutes in the College Cup as well...I understand Josh would of never had a chance to get to play with Meves there, but to tell the AK-Rowdies not to give the other team problems is like telling a cat not go after a mouse/rat, or telling a dog not to go chasing a car or a person...you have to remember, they are still college students and could of done a lot worse to Yoram and Josh...

[tbozeglav]

Please tell me that ZNO isn't getting soft...

Its the ROWDIES' job to give the opponent hell while on our turf (and occasionally when we take our talents to their turf), regardless of their former affiliations. Its all part of what makes playing the Zips a daunting task. Everyone knows it, and I am sure they knew it when they saw they were coming here to play us because they were on the good end of the ROWDIES' taunts.

[Z.I.P.]

As far as the early own goal goes, I have to wonder if perhaps David didn't intentionally let the ball roll in! It reminds me of The Most Interesting Man in the World. He once had an uncomfortable situation -- just to find out how it feels. It may be the last opportunity to discover what having the other side record a goal feels like, before they start playing games that count. After that point, I don't expect to read about many balls rolling over Akron's line. Don't be surprised if they beat their own NCAA record for GAA.

The lineups look as if Caleb was going with basically the same players and PT as you'll see in the real season. I think Perry Kitchen should be expected to become a team leader. After all, he's been captaining the USA for two years. Just thought, I didn't notice Caldwell's name -- did he play? Also, how did Michael Balogun look? If he can shake off the rust, he could be the biggest surprise on the team.

[plowerman78]

UAzipsman your spot on, I know for a fact Giff told his guys what type of atmosphere they were getting themselves into. We didn’t do anything malicious, nothing that physically hurt Josh, and as mes said we could of done much worse. If a player wants to respond to us then hey were doing our jobs and there not focused on the game. Heres another thing, what’s the difference with what we said last night to when Bubba came back a few years back, when the entire JAR (just not ROWDIES) were booing him every time he touched the ball and the school newspaper makes a picture of him with the line traitor on it? Josh was cool with it, obviously knew what to expect by being here and shook our hands after the game last night

[plowerman78]

Z.I.P. to answer acouple of your questions..... Caldwell started last night and played most of the game. Dont expect this for UNC as Nanchoff should start that game. He sat out last night just to rest his hamstring. Balogun played a little bit because he is recovering from an ankle injury.

[johnnyzip84]

Z.I.P. to answer acouple of your questions..... Caldwell started last night and played most of the game. Dont expect this for UNC as Nanchoff should start that game. He sat out last night just to rest his hamstring. Balogun played a little bit because he is recovering from an ankle injury.

Here's a Beacon article on this subject.

Link

[zip37]

I would guess that both of them fully expected to catch it from the Rowdies, after all they have first hand experence of what those folks do, except from the opponents view . Hey even I can figger out the Rowdies sre loud, and funny, and get under the skin of the opposing players, 'specially the GK!

[ZachTheZip]

The Rowdies were just doing their jobs. We were very nice to Yoram and Josh before the game, and gave coach Giffard a great round of applause when he came over to greet us.

But once the game begins, they are the enemy. They knew better than anyone else on any opposing team in the country what they were in for when they scheduled a game against us. In fact, I can imagine they would be disappointed if we didn't do anything. This is an exhibition game, and Gif got to see how his players responded in front of what will be the toughest crowd they'll see all season against the toughest team they'll see. If there was ever a time for their team to lose composure, that game would have brought it out. We were helping them.

[w00t]

I just wanted to say that before the game, most of the returning Rowdies were applauding Giffard when he was near near the berm...but I can't say the same for Yoram Mwila and Josh Pantazelos...

Just think about it for other sports as well. Say Zeke Marshall starts over Dakotah Euton this year. We win the MAC. We make it to NCAA Tournament. Dakotah Euton transfers. Would you feel the same way about Dakotah that you're feeling about Yoram and Josh? It should be, or you're being hypocritical...

UAzipsman your spot on, I know for a fact Giff told his guys what type of atmosphere they were getting themselves into. We didn’t do anything malicious, nothing that physically hurt Josh, and as mes said we could of done much worse. If a player wants to respond to us then hey were doing our jobs and there not focused on the game. Heres another thing, what’s the difference with what we said last night to when Bubba came back a few years back, when the entire JAR (just not ROWDIES) were booing him every time he touched the ball and the school newspaper makes a picture of him with the line traitor on it? Josh was cool with it, obviously knew what to expect by being here and shook our hands after the game last night

The Rowdies were just doing their jobs. We were very nice to Yoram and Josh before the game, and gave coach Giffard a great round of applause when he came over to greet us.

But once the game begins, they are the enemy. They knew better than anyone else on any opposing team in the country what they were in for when they scheduled a game against us. In fact, I can imagine they would be disappointed if we didn't do anything. This is an exhibition game, and Gif got to see how his players responded in front of what will be the toughest crowd they'll see all season against the toughest team they'll see. If there was ever a time for their team to lose composure, that game would have brought it out. We were helping them.

If you guys were shaking hands with Josh after and gretting Giff before the game then I'm sure they knew there was no real malice intended on a personal level (and no doubt Josh has already gotten his worst "away game" experience out of the way for this season and he'll be better off for it)... but please dear god never compare that white trash piece of garbage Bubba Walther to Yoram or Josh. Bubba left because he thought he wasn't getting enough playing time and respect for someone as good as HE thought he was. Mwila and Pantazelos had no such delusions about themselves and had a great chance to start over and get quality playing time with the coach that recruited them and they took it... even though it meant taking a step down with respect to the quality of the program they were joining. They also didn't quit mid-year and join a conference rival.

I certainly didn't mean any disrespect to the Rowdies by my comment, I think they're great... I probably should have just left that one alone.

[Zip_ME87]

In addition to the game result, the atmosphere was awesome last night...especially for an exhibition game. It was amazing the number of Rowdies who showed up and packed the east goal. The new stadium is great, and I also give kudos for the team's entrance. Sitting in the chairbacks, I could hear the Rowdies "march to the match" chanting as they followed behind the team. The music, like the South Africa World Cup music, was a great touch as the Zips entered followed by the huge mass of Rowdies. BTW...I loved the "Akron Rejects" cheer, and it was great to hear "...........You SUCK!" Looking forward to September 17th when the south stands are open and filled. Go Zips!

[meatwad]

it was great to hear "...........You SUCK!"

The You Suck was as loud and awesome as ever.

[72 Roo]

* The first 20 minutes were nothing to write home about, but they seemed to settle in after that (hope the field conditions improve, Meves wasn't the only one having problems getting good footing early on).

* All of the newcomers look solid, which of course is exciting. Kitchen is very vocal and seems like a natural leader even as a Freshman. Mattocks and Tulloch are both big and athletic and HUSTLE like crazy... they will give opponents fits up front.

* Nanchoff was missing due to his hamstring bothering him.

* Pantazelos made a couple of good saves for VCU. I didn't really like the Rowdies giving Giffard, Pantazelos, and Mwila a hard time... all three played a part in what was a great season last year and I don't think they deserved the "AK-RON RE-JECTS" chant.

* Speaking of Rowdies, there were a ton of them and they were extremely loud.

* Barson nearly got on the scoresheet late in the game as well but was denied by a defender who looked from my vantagepoint to have handled the ball. There's no doubt in my mind we have the most dynamic back four in the NCAA.

* There was a GREAT crowd for a preseason match, but I'd be interested to hear how it was counted, because I think 2,835 is stretching it a bit.

* For what it's worth (probably not much), Virginia beat VCU 1-0 in their first preseason match.

Almost there, can't wait to head to NC next Friday!

Unlike W00t, I liked the first half. The early adversity of the own goal challenged the kids to reach

down and pull themselves up. They responded well as they repeatedly took VCU to task. The first half

was "all Zips". It was, at times, sloppy with weak ball movement. However, most of the half was played

on the VCU side. Akron controlled, or better still, dominated.

Several Zips suffered from footing slips. Is this as before, due to short cleats? Short cleats give better

speed at the price of making it difficult to cut. Which is exactly what happened to Meves.

The newcomers quickly showed that they belong.

I agree that the AK-Rowdies were out in force and plenty loud. As for berating them for busting Gillard

and the two former players, I say to the Rowdies, go for it. Its soccer, not high tea or cricket.

Personally I thought the 2,835 count was a tad under the actual. Not many schools can charge five bucks

to watch a non-counting exhibition game and draw more than flies.

I sat in the high row of the east bleachers for the first half. Unfortunately, I could not see either goal

scored because the balls were low and the view blocked by the Rowdies. Still, a commanding view of

most of the pitch.

I moved to the new northwest SRO embankment just west of the Zips bench for the second half. A really

good view of the action and goal scored.

Of note is the influence passed on to Gillard and his charges. Playing VCU was very much like playing

the Akron reserves as their style on both offense and defense looked all the world like Akron's style.

Which, of course, came from Mike Freitag, the former, great Indiana coach Caleb Porter played for.

Thank you Mike.

Gillard will have VCU among the top ten teams in the country with in three years. What a great legacy

for Caleb and his charges.

Zips,

Didn't Caleb play for Jerry Yeakley and was on the staff of assistants at IU that included Freitag. Freitag succeeded Yeagley and was later fired with the behind the scenes orchestration of Yeagley. It was termed philosophical differences and Yeagley flexed his retired muscles. Jerry's son Todd then left Wisconsin to return home to IU to take over. We ended up with the best coach of all of them.