MLS draft

[Zip_ME87]

I have a friend in San Jose whom I try to visit at least once a year. I'll have to arrange my visit when the Earthquakes are home!

[MDZip]

A lot of booing from those Union fans, they really wanted Hertzog.

Was that an Akron chant i just heard?

There's at least one Akron fan there.

Maybe there were two. Just took a long lunch to go up and check it out. Pretty fun atmosphere. There was a chant at the beginning that sounded a lot like the Rowdies "Worst/Best Golaie in the World" but it was Philadelphia fans. They were also amusing when New England fans chanted "Revo-lu-tion" and Philly fans kept following it up with "Sucks!".

Great to see so many Zips at the top of the board. Think they were getting tired of saying "from the University of Akron (and they did get it right )". I think Nagbe maybe didn't go #1 because of the immigration issues but surprised Kitchen didn't either. Anyway, pretty excited about Kitchen coming to DC United, so I can see him play.

Once the end of the first round dwindled down I was able to talk for a few minutes with Porter, Nanchoff, Sarkodie and Korb. All of them signed my College Cup program too which was nice. Chris looked a little dejected but I think he'll still go. Ampai (who didn't appear to be there) I think would have gone early if he was 5'11", 180 but he will go sson too.

Fun thing to do to support the Zips. I took a few pictures which I'll try to post later.

Edit: While I was typing, Korb and Ampai went. Great! Now I have Kitchen and Korb to root for.

[meatwad]

Maybe there were two. Just took a long lunch to go up and check it out. Pretty fun atmosphere. There was a chant at the beginning that sounded a lot like the Rowdies "Worst/Best Golaie in the World" but it was Philadelphia fans. They were also amusing when New England fans chanted "Revo-lu-tion" and Philly fans kept following it up with "Sucks!".

Great to see so many Zips at the top of the board. Think they were getting tired of saying "from the University of Akron (and they did get it right ). I think Nagbe maybe didn't go #1 because of the immigration issues but surprised Kitchen didn't either. Anyway, pretty excited about Kitchen coming to DC United, so I can see him play.

Once the end of the first round dwindled down I was able to talk for a few minutes with Porter, Nanchoff, Sarkodie and Korb. All of them signed my College Cup program too which was nice. Chris looked a little dejected but I think he'll still go. Ampai (who didn't appear to be there) I think would have gone early if he was 5'11", 180 but he will go sson too.

Fun thing to do to support the Zips. I took a few pictures which I'll try to post later.

Awesome, thanks for checking in at the event, MDZip!

[zips4ever2008]

So happy! They all got drafted. Took longer then expected to see Ampi and Korb get drafted. Seven more Zips in MLS. Be interesting to see how many of them see playing time right off the bat. I was hoping Columbus would draft a Zip. Be smart of them to have a local guy on the team. It's still a great day. Now who am I going to cheer for? Cheer for all the Zips.

[Spin]

Final tally, if I have this right...

Round One

2. Darlington Nagbe to Portland

3. Perry Kitchen to DC United

4. Zarek Valentin to Chivas USA

7. Kofi Sarkodie to Houston

8. Michael Nanchoff to Vancouver

Second Round

31. Chris Korb to DC United

33. Anthony Ampaipitakwong to San Jose

[bigzipguy]

Porter now on mlssoccer being interviewed!!

[meatwad]

I was hoping Columbus would draft a Zip. Be smart of them to have a local guy on the team.

In the next couple years you will likely see Speas and Barson sign "homegrown" contracts with Columbus since that was their youth club team. They'll get there. Zips will continue to be all over the MLS!

[Spin]

What's the latest on these guys signing with MLS or going over$ea$?

[MDZip]

So happy! They all got drafted. Took longer then expected to see Ampi and Korb get drafted. Seven more Zips in MLS. Be interesting to see how many of them see playing time right off the bat. I was hoping Columbus would draft a Zip. Be smart of them to have a local guy on the team. It's still a great day. Now who am I going to cheer for? Cheer for all the Zips.

I was talking to some of Crew's season ticket sales people there and they were all hoping for a Zip to help generate some interest. Ampai and Korb are both really good players but probably would have been seen as a reach at #12 and #18 apparently.

[Z.I.P.]

So happy! They all got drafted. Took longer then expected to see Ampi and Korb get drafted. Seven more Zips in MLS. Be interesting to see how many of them see playing time right off the bat. I was hoping Columbus would draft a Zip. Be smart of them to have a local guy on the team. It's still a great day. Now who am I going to cheer for? Cheer for all the Zips.

I was talking to some of Crew's season ticket sales people there and they were all hoping for a Zip to help generate some interest. Ampai and Korb are both really good players but probably would have been seen as a reach at #12 and #18 apparently.

That's a shame for Columbus. I'm sure they would love to get more fans from the Soccer Center of Ohio (SCO). On the other hand, there is now an outside chance DC United could make the 2011 playoffs. That's a lot higher than ninguno. I suspect there's more turnover this season than any in MLS history. It's going to be impossible to predict the league this season. Many of the top players -- no I think you can make that MOST -- are no longer with their old clubs.

[zip37]

WOW!!!!! This has been some day for the Socceroos and us fans, huh? And unless Chris Matthews [ ] is doing something he shouldn't, there's a tinglw going up MY leg! Seven players drafted and 5 in the first round!!!!!!! GO ZIPS.

[meatwad]

I found this on the front page of espn.com at the moment. (Down on the very bottom left). Huge coverage for the Zips!

Link

Sorry if it's already been posted... I didn't see it anywhere else.

[ZachTheZip]

San Jose got an absolute steal in Ampai.

Korb to United is also a sweet development.

Now for all of them to succeed along with the rest of the former Zips. We're ready to really make something good here and also help push the MLS in the right direction.

[zip37]

How about that! WE"RE A FACTORY!!!!!!!!!!

[johnnyzip84]

CNNSI article on where Akron's 2011 class might rank all-time

[Zip_ME87]

CNNSI article on where Akron's 2011 class might rank all-time

Awesome!

Here's another good article...MLS Draft Recap (SBNation)

DC United: Again, this is really about the one big name they had just fall in their lap, but they did get the player that many people have been calling the best all-around-player in the draft. Perry Kitchen is going to start, probably in the midfield, almost right away. He's going to make DC better. Chris Korb, his Akron teammate, came later in the second round, but adding two players from arguably the greatest men's college team in history can't be bad can it? The answer is "no," in case you were wondering.

[zip37]

...arguably the best...in history... Don't we just love it?

[RootforRoo44]

ASN recap of the day along with reactions/quotes from some of the players.

Also, can we get a "Greatest Team of All-Time" emoticon?!

[mshatzer]

Hey all - Martin from Black And Red United here (SB Nation's D.C. United blog). After yesterday's events, I've taken a sudden interest in the Akron Zips, and it seems after reading this thread that many of you have also taken a sudden interest in D.C. United. Just wanted to drop in and let you know that B&RU is a community for United fans, so if you want to join up, we'd love to have you. I was in Baltimore covering the draft live yesterday and got some quotes from Kitchen and Korb. Some perspective from Zips fans who have been following these guys all year would be great. It's just a shame we couldn't have gotten your coach last year too...

[RootforRoo44]

Collection of every video I can find regarding draft day as well as pictures from an ASN writer who was there: The Sights and Sounds of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft

[Soccershins]

Great article from TDS about the draft and chat with coach Porter, sorry don't know if it was already posted. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soc...parting-players

Also, agree that Ampai at 33 was quite a steal and I think teams will be regretting the decision to pass him up.

[Z.I.P.]

Hey all - Martin from Black And Red United here (SB Nation's D.C. United blog). After yesterday's events, I've taken a sudden interest in the Akron Zips, and it seems after reading this thread that many of you have also taken a sudden interest in D.C. United. Just wanted to drop in and let you know that B&RU is a community for United fans, so if you want to join up, we'd love to have you. I was in Baltimore covering the draft live yesterday and got some quotes from Kitchen and Korb. Some perspective from Zips fans who have been following these guys all year would be great. It's just a shame we couldn't have gotten your coach last year too...

Yes, Marty, we all wish you could have taken Caleb Porter to the District. NOT! Is Ben Olson making any new commercials? Maybe he can get his new players to replace Brian Ching and Co. as co-stars now. How are the plans for that new stadium going, anyway? Good luck to Chris and Perry on your grounds. I give you guys at least a 50-50 shot at the playoffs this season.

[fknbuflobo]

Hey all - Martin from Black And Red United here (SB Nation's D.C. United blog). After yesterday's events, I've taken a sudden interest in the Akron Zips, and it seems after reading this thread that many of you have also taken a sudden interest in D.C. United. Just wanted to drop in and let you know that B&RU is a community for United fans, so if you want to join up, we'd love to have you. I was in Baltimore covering the draft live yesterday and got some quotes from Kitchen and Korb. Some perspective from Zips fans who have been following these guys all year would be great. It's just a shame we couldn't have gotten your coach last year too...

Welcome Martin.

I never much liked DCU, but I suppose I will follow them some now.

Watch how many punts and goal kicks Kitchen will get his head on! Dude will stick his head in a blender for the ball.

Oh yeah, say one more thing about taking our coach, and a sizable posse from NEO will hunt you down. Clear?

[bobbyake]

Collection of every video I can find regarding draft day as well as pictures from an ASN writer who was there: The Sights and Sounds of the 2011 MLS SuperDraft

Nice job Mike!!

[MDZip]

Hey all - Martin from Black And Red United here (SB Nation's D.C. United blog). After yesterday's events, I've taken a sudden interest in the Akron Zips, and it seems after reading this thread that many of you have also taken a sudden interest in D.C. United. Just wanted to drop in and let you know that B&RU is a community for United fans, so if you want to join up, we'd love to have you. I was in Baltimore covering the draft live yesterday and got some quotes from Kitchen and Korb. Some perspective from Zips fans who have been following these guys all year would be great. It's just a shame we couldn't have gotten your coach last year too...

I did put something together for Martin to use in his column. Can't wait to see Kitchen and Korb next year.

Having followed the Akron Zips for the past 30 years, D.C. United made some smart moves during the MLS SuperDraft. I suspect most United Fans know that there was a little luck involved in having Perry Kitchen available with the third pick of the draft. I saw Ben Olsen state that if he had the first pick, he would have taken Kitchen. I believe it. There are two huge positives with Kitchen that both work very well for United. The first is that despite the fact that he is young, he is a natural leader on the pitch, taking charge for an Akron team all year long despite being the youngest player on the field. He is a very versatile player as well. The Zips generally used him as their sole defending midfielder and he was rarely beaten all the way through the Zips' National title win over Louisville. I don’t know United's plans for him, I’d love to see him paired with Andy Najar, but with some bigger defensive needs they may chose to move him to the backline as well. In a pinch he could even possibly play up front, but with the rocket leg he possesses (witness the 35 yard blast past Michigan in the National semifinals where their goalie barely even moved), midfield would be a good fit for him. The fact that he is young also means even more years of enjoying his play.

Chris Korb was an excellent pick with the 31st pick of the draft. Korb was the senior leader on a defense that was one goal from setting a national fewest goals against average record last year. This year they again excelled in keeping opponents from the goal (only once did the Zips give up as many as three goals in a game in their last two years – a 50 game stretch). They tied a national record with 11 straight shutouts (five were in the 2009 NCAA tournament where they did not give up a goal in the entire tournament – but lost on PK’s to Virginia in the Championship game). Korb was the anchor of that defense. I expect to see him on the outside competing for a starting spot. There were other Akron defenders who were better known, but none who were steadier. Korb reminds me of a football offensive lineman whose name is only called when he makes a mistake. The difference is Korb’s name was never called. He never seemed to be the defender who was beaten on a play. He’s not the biggest or fastest defender I’ve ever seen, but he's very smart, very tough and rarely out of position.

Neither of these guys are goal scoring threats for replacing Jaime Moreno, so help there isn’t going to come from them, but I will be looking forward to watching these young Zips grow and help return D.C. United back to their historical prominence.