The Akron Experiment

[ZachTheZip]

http://sounders.sportspressnw.com/2011/01/...ron-experiment/

We can save college soccer. Turn it into what college basketball is for the NBA. But to do so involves converting the other college coaches to playing a style similar to ours. That's why us winning the College Cup is gaining more attention than usual in the soccer world: we proved that you can win while playing "attractive" soccer instead of "direct" soccer and still develop professional prospects.

[Zip_ME87]

http://sounders.sportspressnw.com/2011/01/...ron-experiment/

We can save college soccer. Turn it into what college basketball is for the NBA. But to do so involves converting the other college coaches to playing a style similar to ours. That's why us winning the College Cup is gaining more attention than usual in the soccer world: we proved that you can win while playing "attractive" soccer instead of "direct" soccer and still develop professional prospects.

Wow. Thanks for posting that Zach.

[meatwad]

http://sounders.sportspressnw.com/2011/01/...ron-experiment/

We can save college soccer. Turn it into what college basketball is for the NBA. But to do so involves converting the other college coaches to playing a style similar to ours. That's why us winning the College Cup is gaining more attention than usual in the soccer world: we proved that you can win while playing "attractive" soccer instead of "direct" soccer and still develop professional prospects.

Phenomenal article. The state of soccer in the US is very interesting at the moment.

[Crew8]

http://sounders.sportspressnw.com/2011/01/...ron-experiment/

We can save college soccer. Turn it into what college basketball is for the NBA. But to do so involves converting the other college coaches to playing a style similar to ours. That's why us winning the College Cup is gaining more attention than usual in the soccer world: we proved that you can win while playing "attractive" soccer instead of "direct" soccer and still develop professional prospects.

Great article. Thanks Zach

[Z.I.P.]

http://sounders.sportspressnw.com/2011/01/...ron-experiment/

We can save college soccer. Turn it into what college basketball is for the NBA. But to do so involves converting the other college coaches to playing a style similar to ours. That's why us winning the College Cup is gaining more attention than usual in the soccer world: we proved that you can win while playing "attractive" soccer instead of "direct" soccer and still develop professional prospects.

All due respect, but I don't think Caleb Porter needs to "save college soccer". The number of MLS players (or for that matter, USMNT players) going the college route, rather than turning pro before 18 is, I'm willing to bet (does Dave in Green have time to research this?) the same as it was a decade ago (MLS began in 1995). As long as university education continues to be a major institution in the US, American footballers are going to continue attending colleges and universities, and playing soccer there. And the college game will continue to -- rightly -- earn a large share of criticism for holding back the US' game at the international level. College soccer's contrast from the pro game -- substitution rules, limited playing time, lack of international-level competition does hold back many players, who in Europe, S. America, etc would be playing versus older players with lots of national and international playing experience. But, kids who have both out-of-the-box athleticism and soccer skills will continue having opportunities to play abroad (or in MLS) at age 18 or sometimes well below.

Will Akron's exper(iment)ience change the historic trend of US soccer over the long run? I would love to imagine Caleb's coaching tactics becoming the default for major college soccer programs. But there is still a limit of 9.9 scholarships per DI program. Maybe the best thing Caleb Porter can do is bring attention to the game as a major college sport, deserving of attention from Dave and SkipZip. But can we get those two to a Crew match in 2011?

[fknbuflobo]

http://sounders.sportspressnw.com/2011/01/...ron-experiment/

We can save college soccer. Turn it into what college basketball is for the NBA. But to do so involves converting the other college coaches to playing a style similar to ours. That's why us winning the College Cup is gaining more attention than usual in the soccer world: we proved that you can win while playing "attractive" soccer instead of "direct" soccer and still develop professional prospects.

All due respect, but I don't think Caleb Porter needs to "save college soccer". The number of MLS players (or for that matter, USMNT players) going the college route, rather than turning pro before 18 is, I'm willing to bet (does Dave in Green have time to research this?) the same as it was a decade ago (MLS began in 1995). As long as university education continues to be a major institution in the US, American footballers are going to continue attending colleges and universities, and playing soccer there. And the college game will continue to -- rightly -- earn a large share of criticism for holding back the US' game at the international level. College soccer's contrast from the pro game -- substitution rules, limited playing time, lack of international-level competition does hold back many players, who in Europe, S. America, etc would be playing versus older players with lots of national and international playing experience. But, kids who have both out-of-the-box athleticism and soccer skills will continue having opportunities to play abroad (or in MLS) at age 18 or sometimes well below.

Will Akron's exper(iment)ience change the historic trend of US soccer over the long run? I would love to imagine Caleb's coaching tactics becoming the default for major college soccer programs. But there is still a limit of 9.9 scholarships per DI program. Maybe the best thing Caleb Porter can do is bring attention to the game as a major college sport, deserving of attention from Dave and SkipZip. But can we get those two to a Crew match in 2011?

Z.I.P.,

I respectfully disagree. Did you hear the Glenn Davis interview last night? Thanks Crew8.

The relevance and influence of collegiate soccer on the American game has steadily diminished over the past 20 years, reaching a low about five years ago. Reasons for this are ones that you cite - and more. Collegiate soccer has historically failed to consistently prepare players for professional play, and by extension, international play.

Needless to say, the ultimate goal of all American soccer fans is for the U.S. to win the World Cup.

Open substitution allows for the resting of oversized players who after a 5 minute blow, re-enter the match to tackle hard, kick it far, run fast, elbow someone in the head and hopefully pound in that single goal to win. Generally speaking, this direct style does not translate well to the next level even though it may see limited success in college. The athleticism of the average professional player easily negates such tactics. Even so, this style of play will occasionally prevail in the pros, as exhibited by the 2010 Colorado Rapids. But increasingly, the trend has been for extremely talented players like Jack McInerney to skip college and go straight to the pros because the college game has little to offer them.

That is all changing right before our eyes.

Though certainly not solely responsible, Caleb Porter is the current standard bearer for the beautiful game. Attacking, short passing, possession soccer is his sermon, and many are converting daily. Porter does not cite the influence of Inter and Bayern; he prefers Arsenal and Barcelona. Thursday’s MLS draft will serve as proof that revolution is in the air. The pros have taken notice of this stylistic shift in collegiate soccer, and the national team soon will follow. College soccer is regaining its relevance and influence on the American game. Shockingly, the epicenter of this movement is Akron, Ohio. The notion sends chills down my spine.

Caleb Porter is attempting something greater than simply winning championships with my beloved Zips. He intends to change not only collegiate soccer, but American soccer as a whole. My fear is that his scope is too ambitious and that Akron will suffer because of it.

[zip37]

lobo: +10, except for your last sentence-- Caleb has a plan, [just like his Biblical namsake] and the coaching/recruiting talent to follow through on his plan. Akron will remain the epicenter of College soccer as long as he is here, and that to quoute Chris Matthews, [ ] 'sends chills up my leg.' .

[jem101]

lobo: +10, except for your last sentence-- Caleb has a plan, [just like his Biblical namsake] and the coaching/recruiting talent to follow through on his plan. Akron will remain the epicenter of College soccer as long as he is here, and that to quoute Chris Matthews, [ ] 'sends chills up my leg.' .

[Z.I.P.]

I respectfully disagree. Did you hear the Glenn Davis interview last night? Thanks Crew8.

The relevance and influence of collegiate soccer on the American game has steadily diminished over the past 20 years, reaching a low about five years ago. Reasons for this are ones that you cite - and more. Collegiate soccer has historically failed to consistently prepare players for professional play, and by extension, international play.

Needless to say, the ultimate goal of all American soccer fans is for the U.S. to win the World Cup.

Open substitution allows for the resting of oversized players who after a 5 minute blow, re-enter the match to tackle hard, kick it far, run fast, elbow someone in the head and hopefully pound in that single goal to win. Generally speaking, this direct style does not translate well to the next level even though it may see limited success in college. The athleticism of the average professional player easily negates such tactics. Even so, this style of play will occasionally prevail in the pros, as exhibited by the 2010 Colorado Rapids. But increasingly, the trend has been for extremely talented players like Jack McInerney to skip college and go straight to the pros because the college game has little to offer them.

That is all changing right before our eyes.

Though certainly not solely responsible, Caleb Porter is the current standard bearer for the beautiful game. Attacking, short passing, possession soccer is his sermon, and many are converting daily. Porter does not cite the influence of Inter and Bayern; he prefers Arsenal and Barcelona. Thursday’s MLS draft will serve as proof that revolution is in the air. The pros have taken notice of this stylistic shift in collegiate soccer, and the national team soon will follow. College soccer is regaining its relevance and influence on the American game. Shockingly, the epicenter of this movement is Akron, Ohio. The notion sends chills down my spine.

Caleb Porter is attempting something greater than simply winning championships with my beloved Zips. He intends to change not only collegiate soccer, but American soccer as a whole. My fear is that his scope is too ambitious and that Akron will suffer because of it.

______________________

That's a beautiful argument fknbuflobo, and I'm tempted to agree with you as the biggest Akron fan in the 50th State. (Who's #2, I wonder?) But I had to ask myself, "what would Caleb say?" The biggest reason Akron is able to play "Caleb Ball" is because he has players at every position who have played at the highest level in the USA for years, and in most cases (see what happened when MLS found out Ampai is both small AND slow?) are superior athletes to what Akron put on the pitch before his coming. How much credit should go to the US national youth coaches who tutored the players before Caleb got his hands on them? I would put the largest part of Caleb's success on the fact that he is far and away the greatest college soccer salesman in America. His teams DO play the game beautifully, and in an entertaining format unlike any other university team. I don't believe however, that Caleb Porter was fully responsible for teaching them the short passing possession game is superior to "boom ball". Imagine how much they'd look like Barcelona if Sep Guardiola would share Messi for a season. They surely knew what was the best and most exciting game before they stepped onto the University of Akron (Akron U. to locals) campus. Caleb deserves every dime in his new 10 year extension -- but I will wait and see whether the next Jack McInerney comes to Akron or Wake Forest. As long as the pros can dangle mucho dinero ($$$$) at young kids, and caress their young egos with flattery, they will continue to be attracted to pro soccer. But, as Caleb said today on FSC, the GA contract from Adidas can help persuade players to give college ball a chance. But, as I recall, McInerney took the GA without attending a day of college. Also, I disagree with you that Caleb sees himself as some sort of historical revolutionary. Caleb's interest is in winning as many soccer games as he can. Changing the development of the game is just frosting on the cake -- not his primary goal.