#3 Akron vs #14 IU

[mes102]

I believe this game will be tougher than the quarterfinal matchup. Same with the college cup semifinal will be harder than the college cup final in my opinion.

what is ur thoughts on this game?

[meatwad]

I believe this game will be tougher than the quarterfinal matchup. Same with the college cup semifinal will be harder than the college cup final in my opinion.

what is ur thoughts on this game?

Agreed. This game will be harder than either Cal or Brown. Brown because they are Brown and Cal because they are travelling across the country (remember Stanford last year and how we abused them).

Likewise if we make the College Cup, the Semifinal match against Maryland (most likely) will prove to be tougher than any on the other side of the bracket in my opinion.

Getting back to the topic at hand, IU might be the best 7 loss team ever. Some great wins on their schedule (UCLA 5-1, Creighton on the road 3-2, Michigan State 3-0, and Tulsa 5-1). However they also have some puzzling losses (Cal Poly 1-0 at home, Brown 2-1, Butler at home 4-1). Bottom line is they score quite a few goals and they give up quite a few goals. Even if we get one or two early there can be no letdown or they will put a few in themselves. I'm thinking because we are at home we take this one. They were a very mortal 3-3-1 in road games this year.

Prediction:

Zips 3

Hoosiers 1

[MDZip]

Indiana was the Big Ten regular season champs so they will be no pushover but Cal or Brown (assuming we can even get past Indiana) wil not be either. No team that makes it to the final eight is going to be easy. Look at Drake last year, unseeded and knocked off #4 Ohio State and almost took UNC out of the Final Four. Interestingly, while all five Big Ten teams are still alive they face Louisville, Maryland, Akron, UNC and South Carolina in the round of 16. All five could conceivably be gone after this weekend.

[bisbee]

As long as they play for 90 minutes the Zips will be fine...no "final 10 minute letdowns" Akron 4 IU 1

[bisbee]

What DID happen in the final 10 minutes agains WV? How did they score the 2 goals?

[The Hip Zip]

Oddly, I believe this is my first post here despite playing soccer for several years on a few levels. I was not good enough to play for the Zips but was good enough to be a live body to practice with under Coach Dowdy back in the '70s. For those that don't date back, we were pretty damn good back then as well. I did play against George and Louie back and HS and knew them a bit from playing both against and with them at different stages from '72 through '76.

I'm a bit worried about this years team and much more than last years tourney. I see us giving up some silly and preventable goals that didn't happen last year. I don't know what it is, be it over confidence or getting caught up the field because of being too aggressive on the offensive end but I suspect that both play a part. Whatever, we need to get it fixed right away. W Va's two 2nd half goals really rang the red alert with me and I'm sure with Caleb as well.

I can do nothing but have faith in Coach Porter to take care of this and continue to be optimistic. One thing for sure, there is nobody that he'd rather beat than Indiana and he'll have them ready. It's up to the boys to do the rest

[meatwad]

I'm a bit worried about this years team and much more than last years tourney. I see us giving up some silly and preventable goals that didn't happen last year. I don't know what it is, be it over confidence or getting caught up the field because of being too aggressive on the offensive end but I suspect that both play a part. Whatever, we need to get it fixed right away. W Va's two 2nd half goals really rang the red alert with me and I'm sure Caleb as well.

I'm going to have to say it relates to two things: Gavin and Zemanski.

Notice this year there is only 1 holding MF (Perry) as compared to those two last year. Our formation is a bit different to be an even more attacking style than last year. I can't say that I think it's a bad idea since it's worked for us so far, but I think Caleb's goal was to be more attack oriented this year. Goals per game year over year are about the same but we have played a tougher schedule this year. Goals against has gone up which is more concerning, but again a tougher schedule might have played a part in that.

All this to say I think the formation change has a lot to do with the "quick goals" we've given up.

[The Hip Zip]

I'm a bit worried about this years team and much more than last years tourney. I see us giving up some silly and preventable goals that didn't happen last year. I don't know what it is, be it over confidence or getting caught up the field because of being too aggressive on the offensive end but I suspect that both play a part. Whatever, we need to get it fixed right away. W Va's two 2nd half goals really rang the red alert with me and I'm sure Caleb as well.

I'm going to have to say it relates to two things: Gavin and Zemanski.

Notice this year there is only 1 holding MF (Perry) as compared to those two last year. Our formation is a bit different to be an even more attacking style than last year. I can't say that I think it's a bad idea since it's worked for us so far, but I think Caleb's goal was to be more attack oriented this year. Goals per game year over year are about the same but we have played a tougher schedule this year. Goals against has gone up which is more concerning, but again a tougher schedule might have played a part in that.

All this to say I think the formation change has a lot to do with the "quick goals" we've given up.

Solid post by someone that understands the game.

I very much agree. goals are sexy but that style can often get you beat against the best of the best, Like I said, I'm worried. I think he need to drop back a second MF and keep him there with the exception of catching the opposition deep back the field.

Hey, I was a defender and a goalie ! 1-0 is very sexy to me !!

[meatwad]

Solid post by someone that understands the game.

I very much agree. goals are sexy but that style can often get you beat against the best of the best, Like I said, I'm worried. I think he need to drop back a second MF and keep him there with the exception of catching the opposition deep back the field.

Hey, I was a defender and a goalie ! 1-0 is very sexy to me !!

I would even be ok with him starting off with the same formation, then when the result is in hand (2-0 perhaps?) dropping back Caldwell into a more defensive MF role. Then again we've made it to 19-1-1 without changing a thing this year (outside of the roster from time to time), so let's roll!

By the way, welcome to the soccer board, Hip Zip!

[Z.I.P.]

Oddly, I believe this is my first post here despite playing soccer for several years on a few levels. I was not good enough to play for the Zips but was good enough to be a live body to practice with under Coach Dowdy back in the '70s. For those that don't date back, we were pretty damn good back then as well. I did play against George and Louie back and HS and knew them a bit from playing both against and with them at different stages from '72 through '76.

I'm a bit worried about this years team and much more than last years tourney. I see us giving up some silly and preventable goals that didn't happen last year. I don't know what it is, be it over confidence or getting caught up the field because of being too aggressive on the offensive end but I suspect that both play a part. Whatever, we need to get it fixed right away. W Va's two 2nd half goals really rang the red alert with me and I'm sure with Caleb as well.

I can do nothing but have faith in Coach Porter to take care of this and continue to be optimistic. One thing for sure, there is nobody that he'd rather beat than Indiana and he'll have them ready. It's up to the boys to do the rest

Welcome to the footballer Side HZ! I wonder if we ever met -- my story is similar, but a few years later (77-82). I too was a "practice GK". Meatwad's comments are interesting, since when I last saw the team, two yrs ago, Ampai was playing the holding mid role along with Gavin (I guess Ben was his backup). Is Ampai now in a more offensive position? I could easily see him and Kitchen as a midfield duo -- they're both good in the air and have all-America type ball skills.

[meatwad]

Welcome to the footballer Side HZ! I wonder if we ever met -- my story is similar, but a few years later (77-82). I too was a "practice GK". Meatwad's comments are interesting, since when I last saw the team, two yrs ago, Ampai was playing the holding mid role along with Gavin (I guess Ben was his backup). Is Ampai now in a more offensive position? I could easily see him and Kitchen as a midfield duo -- they're both good in the air and have all-America type ball skills.

Yes, Ampai is now classified, in my mind anyway (others can confirm what I'm seeing), simply as an attacking MF. He is rarely back on D to the extent Zemanski and Gavin were last year. There's no doubt that was tweaked in the off season to add more numbers forward.

Ben and Blair were almost inseparable on the field by more than 10-20 yards. Ampai is consistently up field while Perry is back waiting for clearances, etc. It's great when we are attacking, however the goals that we have given up in the past few games lead me to believe that the D was supported by the holders just dominating last year and breaking down a lot of attacks before it even got to the D level.

Just my two cents. Anyone can feel free to post other observations.

[fknbuflobo]

Welcome to the footballer Side HZ! I wonder if we ever met -- my story is similar, but a few years later (77-82). I too was a "practice GK". Meatwad's comments are interesting, since when I last saw the team, two yrs ago, Ampai was playing the holding mid role along with Gavin (I guess Ben was his backup). Is Ampai now in a more offensive position? I could easily see him and Kitchen as a midfield duo -- they're both good in the air and have all-America type ball skills.

Yes, Ampai is now classified, in my mind anyway (others can confirm what I'm seeing), simply as an attacking MF. He is rarely back on D to the extent Zemanski and Gavin were last year. There's no doubt that was tweaked in the off season to add more numbers forward.

Ben and Blair were almost inseparable on the field by more than 10-20 yards. Ampai is consistently up field while Perry is back waiting for clearances, etc. It's great when we are attacking, however the goals that we have given up in the past few games lead me to believe that the D was supported by the holders just dominating last year and breaking down a lot of attacks before it even got to the D level.

Just my two cents. Anyone can feel free to post other observations.

Ampai was never a holding MF; he has always been an attacking MF. Before Zemanski became a full time starter, there were other holding MFs.

Yes, Gavin, and especially Zemanski, are sorely missed in the D. Kitchen is a fine player who will get even better.

You are correct that the formation has changed from a 4-4-2 to a 4-1-3-2 with Kitchen at the 1. I am not sure the rationale behind this.

If we reverted back to a standard 4-4-2, Reinaldo Brenes would be the choice along side Kitchen as holding MFs, leaving Caldwell on the sideline. Actually I prefer Speas to Caldwell, regardless of scenario.

Zips have shown abundant defensive weakness late in the season, especially at GK. I am not sure why Meves has suddenly shown so much indecision.

This does not bode well.

Short passing teams cannot out possess Akron; play that game and Zips win. However, Indiana plays a direct, ball in flight style, similar to OSU. This has proven trouble for Akron this year. Will Bruin is just the type of big, rough-n-tumble F that finds success versus the Zips.

Pains me to say it, but I predict 2-1 IU. Season over!

I would love to be wrong.

[fknbuflobo]

Ampai was never a holding MF. He has always been an attacking MF. Before Zemanski became a full time starter, there were other holding MFs.

Yes, both Gavin and Zemanski are sorely missed in the D, especially Zemanski. Kitchen is a fine player who will get even better. What a head on that kid!

Formation has changed from last year's 4-4-2 to 4-1-3-2, Kitchen at the 1. Not sure of the rationale for that; not sure that it works either.

Supposing Porter reverts to a standard 4-4-2 at any point, Reinaldo Brenes is the choice along side Kitchen @ holding MF, leaving Caldwell as a substitute.

Actually, I would like to see Speas get more time at the expense of Caldwell, but that might be my Royals bias.

Zips have shown abundant defensive weakness down the stretch, especially @ GK. Meves has become so indecisive.

Teams cannot out finesse Akron and keep the ball. If they try that, Zips win. However, much like OSU, Indiana is a direct, ball-in-flight team with a physical front line. Will Bruin is a big, rough-n-tumble F, the kind that gives Akron trouble. This does not bode well.

Hate to say it. Hoosiers win 2-1. I would love to be wrong.

[Wally B]

It seems a few of you share my thoughts..... This team lacks that killer instinct. If they continue to let up on the gas we'll be in trouble......

[meatwad]

Ampai was never a holding MF. He has always been an attacking MF. Before Zemanski became a full time starter, there were other holding MFs.

Yes, both Gavin and Zemanski are sorely missed in the D, especially Zemanski. Kitchen is a fine player who will get even better. What a head on that kid!

Formation has changed from last year's 4-4-2 to 4-1-3-2, Kitchen at the 1. Not sure of the rationale for that; not sure that it works either.

Supposing Porter reverts to a standard 4-4-2 at any point, Reinaldo Brenes is the choice along side Kitchen @ holding MF, leaving Caldwell as a substitute.

Actually, I would like to see Speas get more time at the expense of Caldwell, but that might be my Royals bias.

Zips have shown abundant defensive weakness down the stretch, especially @ GK. Meves has become so indecisive.

Teams cannot out finesse Akron and keep the ball. If they try that, Zips win. However, much like OSU, Indiana is a direct, ball-in-flight team with a physical front line. Will Bruin is a big, rough-n-tumble F, the kind that gives Akron trouble. This does not bode well.

Hate to say it. Hoosiers win 2-1. I would love to be wrong.

It can be hard to hide the Royals bias I agree.

I honestly think I see Porter's reasoning behind the change in formation. Last year countless teams packed the box and never even tried to get any numbers forward (I'm looking at you Virginia). To add in another play maker up front would maybe change the dynamic a bit and add a bit more of a scoring punch for those types of games and situations. Trouble is, at some point during the year other teams figured it out and started to send more numbers at us on the counter attack and in the regular course of play. We've handled it fairly well all things considered on the defensive side, but I agree that Meves hasn't been what we need him to be. I think that will sort itself out and he will step up when we need him (he made some huge saves against Creighton in a tight game).

I also agree with you about Brenes as the other holder if Porter went back to the two mids. Caldwell is a solid defensive player (which I suspect is why he is playing at the expense of Speas), but that does not seem to fit his skill set well. His passing has been suspect at times, which is obviously essential as a holding MF. However, Brenes has also shown the tendency to try and do too much with the ball at his feet, which could also be a problem. In general I completely agree with you on this, though.