Today's game

[zip37]

Hope someone there in Mich, will keep us INformed. PLEASSSE!

[tpsjugglerdude]

Zips beat Michigan 1-0

[zip37]

THANKS!

[tpsjugglerdude]

Zips beat Oakland 1-0

[Z.I.P.]

Zips beat Oakland 1-0

Doubleheader?

[zip37]

45 min agnst each team, I think.

[yazan07]

Ok well I was there with some other students so I'll give a bit of a rundown

I don't think any of you shelled out to go to Spain, so I think this was the first time for any of us to have the opportunity to see the post National Championship/lose 7 starters Akron Zips. Each game was 60 minutes and both games were back to back. I think the idea of this format is to use different players for each game, but because of our current roster situation we really weren't able to do that. Four of the incoming freshmen (Trapp, Yedlin, Gallego, and Chiu) will not be with the Zips until Fall, four more incoming players (Culbertson, Navarette, Murrow, Afsarifakjsahdlgkzjdg) are already playing. Seems like Luke Holmes is MIA. I know he was on the Spain trip but didn't play, and I didn't even see him there today. Not sure what the story is there. Also, Ontiveros and Brenes were both out due to injury.

The play today wasn't especially impressive. I thought the team looked a little sloppy. Porter said to us as he thanked us for coming that the team "needs to get better," which I agree with. There is no shortage of talent on this team, but I think the team needs to gel. There are a lot of new kids on this roster, and in addition to that, it's weird to think that now guys like Caldwell, Speas, and Barson, who were previously some of the younger guys on the team, are the new leaders and have to step up. This is a young team.

That being said, I have faith in this team. The two goals were from Barson and Asfsarlrhlasrghckyrbdsmtsj (both defenders, interestingly enough) with assists from Scotty. Neither of them were particularly memorable goals though. Darren had several opportunities but didn't finish and had some messy touches. Apparently he wasn't at 100% either and almost didn't play. There was also still a bit of shuffling around with positions, as I assume Porter is still trying to figure out who can play where and how they will work in that position with those around them. It is Spring season though, so there is still a ton of time for improvement. I think this team has proven to be so amazing in the past that we have become spoiled and are unsatisfied with anything less than perfection. This will certainly be an interesting year.

As far as the overall game day experience goes, it was great. This is my second time going to this tournament and I have loved it both times. Ultimate Soccer Arena is really just a perfect name for this place, it is such a nice indoor facility. There was a decently priced restaurant, a bar, and the people who worked there were pretty cool. We got the camera guy to do a brief pole dance with his camera stand and talked to one of the guys in charge of the facility (way more laid back than Paul Hammond). With only a few Akron fans there,we got to chat a little with the players, coaches, and parents. The seven of us who went together spent a while talking to Mr. and Mrs. Meves who were super nice and told us if we went to Chicago they would take us out to eat (but it wouldn't be steak dinners). I think they enjoyed us trying to convince them to have another kid too.

Another part of our day which was especially fun was our interaction with the Michigan students. They brought about 30 kids and stood right next to us. Although we spent the whole playing time yelling on top of each other and insulting each other, during dead balls, halftime, and before and after the game, we talked to them about our respective organizations, chants, our hatred of OSU, and just soccer in general. They were pretty cool for the most part, except for the annoying 13 year old with them (Kyle May, if you are reading this, you are way cooler than this kid). It was fun to interact with another student group, and because the stakes weren't really high, there was much less hatred than there would be during a regular season game.

Hope you have enjoyed reading my ramblings about the day's events. If anyone has any questions about what I saw with our new squad feel free to ask. Also, for anyone else who went, I'd be interested to listen to your take on today.

[MontrealExposloveZippy]

Ok well I was there with some other students so I'll give a bit of a rundown

I don't think any of you shelled out to go to Spain, so I think this was the first time for any of us to have the opportunity to see the post National Championship/lose 7 starters Akron Zips. Each game was 60 minutes and both games were back to back. I think the idea of this format is to use different players for each game, but because of our current roster situation we really weren't able to do that. Four of the incoming freshmen (Trapp, Yedlin, Gallego, and Chiu) will not be with the Zips until Fall, four more incoming players (Culbertson, Navarette, Murrow, Afsarifakjsahdlgkzjdg) are already playing. Seems like Luke Holmes is MIA. I know he was on the Spain trip but didn't play, and I didn't even see him there today. Not sure what the story is there. Also, Ontiveros and Brenes were both out due to injury.

Thats awesome you got to see the Zips, I am super excited for next Saturday against Maryland. Although, you said they weren't impressive, they still beat a Final Four team from last year. Did Saad play at all for Michigan and if so how did the Zips do defending him?

[Zip_ME87]

Good summary by Yaznasty. The Rowdies/students who were there were AWESOME (as always)...thanks.

Darren had a PK opportunity in the Michigan game which the UM keeper easily handled. Not sure who's going to replace Nanchoff taking the PK's this year. Of all the new guys, Murrow looked the most "raw". Culbertson, Navarette, and Afsarifard looked to be fitting into the system. I agree that the team looked sloppy, but no moreso than I would have expected given their youth and limited time playing as a team.

Also, I overheard a Michigan fan tell one of the Michigan players "not as bad as last time, huh?"

[Let'sGoZips94]

Another part of our day which was especially fun was our interaction with the Michigan students. They brought about 30 kids and stood right next to us. Although we spent the whole playing time yelling on top of each other and insulting each other, during dead balls, halftime, and before and after the game, we talked to them about our respective organizations, chants, our hatred of OSU, and just soccer in general. They were pretty cool for the most part, except for the annoying 13 year old with them (Kyle May, if you are reading this, you are way cooler than this kid). It was fun to interact with another student group, and because the stakes weren't really high, there was much less hatred than there would be during a regular season game.

Hahahaha.

[fknbuflobo]

Ok well I was there with some other students so I'll give a bit of a rundown

I don't think any of you shelled out to go to Spain, so I think this was the first time for any of us to have the opportunity to see the post National Championship/lose 7 starters Akron Zips. Each game was 60 minutes and both games were back to back. I think the idea of this format is to use different players for each game, but because of our current roster situation we really weren't able to do that. Four of the incoming freshmen (Trapp, Yedlin, Gallego, and Chiu) will not be with the Zips until Fall, four more incoming players (Culbertson, Navarette, Murrow, Afsarifakjsahdlgkzjdg) are already playing. Seems like Luke Holmes is MIA. I know he was on the Spain trip but didn't play, and I didn't even see him there today. Not sure what the story is there. Also, Ontiveros and Brenes were both out due to injury.

The play today wasn't especially impressive. I thought the team looked a little sloppy. Porter said to us as he thanked us for coming that the team "needs to get better," which I agree with. There is no shortage of talent on this team, but I think the team needs to gel. There are a lot of new kids on this roster, and in addition to that, it's weird to think that now guys like Caldwell, Speas, and Barson, who were previously some of the younger guys on the team, are the new leaders and have to step up. This is a young team.

That being said, I have faith in this team. The two goals were from Barson and Asfsarlrhlasrghckyrbdsmtsj (both defenders, interestingly enough) with assists from Scotty. Neither of them were particularly memorable goals though. Darren had several opportunities but didn't finish and had some messy touches. Apparently he wasn't at 100% either and almost didn't play. There was also still a bit of shuffling around with positions, as I assume Porter is still trying to figure out who can play where and how they will work in that position with those around them. It is Spring season though, so there is still a ton of time for improvement. I think this team has proven to be so amazing in the past that we have become spoiled and are unsatisfied with anything less than perfection. This will certainly be an interesting year.

As far as the overall game day experience goes, it was great. This is my second time going to this tournament and I have loved it both times. Ultimate Soccer Arena is really just a perfect name for this place, it is such a nice indoor facility. There was a decently priced restaurant, a bar, and the people who worked there were pretty cool. We got the camera guy to do a brief pole dance with his camera stand and talked to one of the guys in charge of the facility (way more laid back than Paul Hammond). With only a few Akron fans there,we got to chat a little with the players, coaches, and parents. The seven of us who went together spent a while talking to Mr. and Mrs. Meves who were super nice and told us if we went to Chicago they would take us out to eat (but it wouldn't be steak dinners). I think they enjoyed us trying to convince them to have another kid too.

Another part of our day which was especially fun was our interaction with the Michigan students. They brought about 30 kids and stood right next to us. Although we spent the whole playing time yelling on top of each other and insulting each other, during dead balls, halftime, and before and after the game, we talked to them about our respective organizations, chants, our hatred of OSU, and just soccer in general. They were pretty cool for the most part, except for the annoying 13 year old with them (Kyle May, if you are reading this, you are way cooler than this kid). It was fun to interact with another student group, and because the stakes weren't really high, there was much less hatred than there would be during a regular season game.

Hope you have enjoyed reading my ramblings about the day's events. If anyone has any questions about what I saw with our new squad feel free to ask. Also, for anyone else who went, I'd be interested to listen to your take on today.

Thanks for the recap, Yaz.

I am concerned about the status of Luke Holmes.

Anyone with a Luke Holmes sighting?