Article on Yoram Mwila

[Johnny Utah]

In December of 2008 when he was an assistant coach at Akron, Dave Giffard found himself in — of all places — Lusaka, Zambia, as he sought to replace America’s best college soccer player with a kid he hoped would become one.Akron striker Steve Zakuani had just won the Hermann trophy – college soccer’s version of the Heisman – that season and decided to move on from college to the professional ranks. Giffard, in search of a suitable replacement for Zakuani, had zeroed in on a quick and crafty striker from the south African country in Yoram Mwila.In Mwila’s living room, he and Giffard zipped through months worth of paperwork in a fraction of the time in an attempt to get Mwila’s paperwork through the NCAA clearing house in time for him to get on the spring roster.It didn’t work.Back in the states, Mwila’s paperwork took longer than expected. And in the meantime, another rising star who would go on to win the Hermann at Akron, Darlington Nagbe, stepped up into the starting role Mwila was originally brought in to fill. By the time Mwila gained clearance, he was the third wheel out in a system that featured two strikers.So when Giffard came to VCU, Mwila decided he needed more playing time to develop and followed along, even though he was leaving a team that finished second in the country in 2009 and won it all last season.“I think certainly Yo(ram) would have not minded winning a national championship, and he and I both knew that was going to happen,” Giffard said. “But I think in terms of long-term development, we were the right fit.“I think it was a good move for everyone involved; Akron needed a different kind of guy when we recruited Yoram, and Yoram needed the opportunity to play more and to develop that way.”Indeed, as it usually is, playing more was the key.“I didn’t play as much there so I started talking (to other coaches) and found out I probably was going to be a 90-minute guy here,” Mwila said of his decision to transfer to VCU. “A big thing for me is you have to play to get better and to evaluate yourself so that was the biggest key.”Thus far this season, the move is paying significant dividends. Mwila had only four goals and no assists in the entirety of last season; this season, a mere four games in, he already has three goals and an assist. His goals have helped make the Rams 4-0 heading into this weekend’s play.And with that, the team moved into the NSCAA’s Top 25 poll this week for the first time in six years. VCU debuted on the Top 25 rankings at the No. 16 slot after receiving 157 votes in the coaches’ poll.Even though it was way back in 2005 when the men’s soccer team was last ranked, Giffard and Mwila aren’t satisfied. Perhaps that’s not surprising, though, given that they came to VCU from a school of the highest soccer standard in Akron.“It doesn’t mean anything four games in; it doesn’t mean anything to begin with,” Giffard said of the ranking. “It is nice for the program, nice for the fans, nice for recruits to hear VCU and hear VCU soccer.”“We’re 4-0 but that’s in the rear view; it’s done,” Mwila said. “We still have goals we want to accomplish and want to achieve.”They have goals to achieve in, of all places, Richmond, Va., the city both Mwila and Giffard ended up in some three years after meeting for the first time that day in Mwila’s living room. And it’s all in the name of becoming one of the best college soccer teams in the country.

[UAZipster0305]

Zakuani finished second for the Herman Trophy. Bunbury and Nagbe won it.A writer really loses credibility when easily verifiable facts are incorrect.

[AkronZip54321]

I never really rated yoram much during his time at Akron in 2009 but I'm glad to hear he's doing well.

[yazan07]

Zakuani finished second for the Herman Trophy. Bunbury and Nagbe won it.A writer really loses credibility when easily verifiable facts are incorrect.

You know it's funny, because a few weeks ago I read an article about Zakuani on the MLS website and it also stated that he won the Hermann his year. I commented on it stating that he was actually the runner-up and I noticed it was fixed later. Although it is a problem that these writers can't get something that simple correct, I don't mind that they want Steve to have been the recipient of the award, you know, since he deserved it.

[AkronZip54321]

Funny they say that cuz I still consider him the greatest Akron player during the Porter era yet he wasn't one of the 2 who won the Herman. Really looked like a college version of Thierry Henry in his prime at Arsenal, in 2008.

[MDZip]

Mwila isn't the only former Akron player doing well. McKauly Tulloch has six goals and an assist at UCF, Ben Speas has three assists for North Carolina and if you count him, Tony Walls has a goal and an assist.

[yazan07]

Mwila isn't the only former Akron player doing well. McKauly Tulloch has six goals and an assist at UCF, Ben Speas has three assists for North Carolina and if you count him, Tony Walls has a goal and an assist.

Martin Ontiveros has started every game for Furman and logged 10 shots; glad to see these former Zips doing well. Personally, I don't consider Tony Walls a Zip because he never played for us and bad mouthed the team on the way out.

[fknbuflobo]

Funny they say that cuz I still consider him the greatest Akron player during the Porter era yet he wasn't one of the 2 who won the Herman. Really looked like a college version of Thierry Henry in his prime at Arsenal, in 2008.

That is a good comparison. In 2008, Zakuani was to NCAA soccer as Henry was to the EPL in 2004. Both were playmaking Forwards equally capable of passing or beating to goal. They even both preferred starting from the left side with the ball.

[Zip_ME87]

Mwila isn't the only former Akron player doing well. McKauly Tulloch has six goals and an assist at UCF, Ben Speas has three assists for North Carolina

Martin Ontiveros has started every game for Furman and logged 10 shots; glad to see these former Zips doing well.

Thanks for the updates...I'm glad to see these former Zips doing well. They helped us out; it's great to see them be successful.Go Zips!

[fknbuflobo]

Zakuani finished second for the Herman Trophy. Bunbury and Nagbe won it.A writer really loses credibility when easily verifiable facts are incorrect.

Yes. This should have been easily researched.

[fknbuflobo]

I never really rated yoram much during his time at Akron in 2009 but I'm glad to hear he's doing well.

I actually saw loads of raw talent in 2009, and I was sad to see Mwila leave for VCU. He sure could be starting on this current team right now, though probably not last year.

[Zip_ME87]

Funny they say that cuz I still consider him the greatest Akron player during the Porter era yet he wasn't one of the 2 who won the Herman. Really looked like a college version of Thierry Henry in his prime at Arsenal, in 2008.

No doubt that Zakuani should have won the Hermann. The Zips just didn't get enough credit at the time. I think we were still considered to be in a weak conference (still true) without much regard to our out-of-conference schedule. The Sounders taking Steve #1, followed by the Zips' outstanding performance in 2009 finally got everyone on board that Akron Soccer is the real deal.Where others fault the writers for not checking facts, I credit them for recognizing Zakuani was the true best mens' collegiate soccer player in 2008. (In fact, who won the Hermann for 2008? I don't remember.)

[fknbuflobo]

Funny they say that cuz I still consider him the greatest Akron player during the Porter era yet he wasn't one of the 2 who won the Herman. Really looked like a college version of Thierry Henry in his prime at Arsenal, in 2008.

No doubt that Zakuani should have won the Hermann. The Zips just didn't get enough credit at the time. I think we were still considered to be in a weak conference (still true) without much regard to our out-of-conference schedule. The Sounders taking Steve #1, followed by the Zips' outstanding performance in 2009 finally got everyone on board that Akron Soccer is the real deal.Where others fault the writers for not checking facts, I credit them for recognizing Zakuani was the true best mens' collegiate soccer player in 2008. (In fact, who won the Hermann for 2008? I don't remember.)

Marcus Tracy from Wake Forest. Not a bad player at all, but Zak11 was better.Regardless, a journalist should get his facts straight.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Zakuani finished second for the Herman Trophy. Bunbury and Nagbe won it.A writer really loses credibility when easily verifiable facts are incorrect.

Can you tell that to Zach?

[Zip Watcher]

Johnny Utah,Can you please provide a source link for this article, and credit the originator? Unless you wrote this yourself, it needs to be cited to be quoted here.Thanks for playing fair.ZW

[UAZipster0305]

Johnny Utah,Can you please provide a source link for this article, and credit the originator? Unless you wrote this yourself, it needs to be cited to be quoted here.Thanks for playing fair.ZW

I agree. Thanks for keeping the standards here high.

[UAZipster0305]

Zakuani finished second for the Herman Trophy. Bunbury and Nagbe won it.A writer really loses credibility when easily verifiable facts are incorrect.

Can you tell that to Zach?

Hey Zach,Zakuani finished second for the Herman Trophy. Bunbury and Nagbe won it.

[AdamStern]

To all who have visited and/or read this thread,I am the writer of the article, my name is Adam Stern and I'm a senior at VCU. The story is from VCU's student newspaper, the Commonwealth Times, and we've been trying to provide first-rate coverage of men's soccer so please do keep up with us if you're interested in how Coach Giffard is doing at VCU. First and foremost I'd just like to apologize for the error in the story. The mistake happened because I mistakenly thought I heard Coach Giffard as saying both Darlington Nagbe and Zakuani won it (to go along with Teal Bunbury, who of course won it is as well) and unfortunately I was overconfident in thinking that knowledge was correct so I didn't fact check to be sure. I was alerted to the mistake this morning and it was promptly corrected. I do agree with those of you on here who have noted I should have been more careful. You're correct and, again, I do truly apologize for the mistake. I decided to search for this message board (and ultimately register and post this message) to seek out readers so I could apologize for my mistake. If you'd like to visit the article again, here's the link (http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/?p=20768). And if you'd like to keep up with VCU men's soccer coverage, please do visit us at CommonwealthTimes.org/Sports as well as on Twitter @theCT_Sports. Thanks for you're interest in the CT and, one last time, sorry for the mistake. Adam SternCommonwealth Times executive editorE-mail: Editor@CommonwealthTimes.orgTwitter: @A_S12

[Johnny Utah]

Sorry...meant to edit my post last night with that info and got sidetracked. It was written by Adam Stern from the Commonwealth Times. Link. Dave Giffard tweeted it. I just grabbed the text without thinking.

[Z.I.P.]

Zakuani finished second for the Herman Trophy. Bunbury and Nagbe won it.A writer really loses credibility when easily verifiable facts are incorrect.

Yes. This should have been easily researched.

It all began when Soccer America called him the Hermann winner in their season review of 2008. I think it's an indication of how much reporters rely on the first thing they hear or read, and fail to get the most reliable (or official) source. Shabby journalism.

[UAZipster0305]

To all who have visited and/or read this thread,I am the writer of the article, my name is Adam Stern and I'm a senior at VCU. The story is from VCU's student newspaper, the Commonwealth Times, and we've been trying to provide first-rate coverage of men's soccer so please do keep up with us if you're interested in how Coach Giffard is doing at VCU. First and foremost I'd just like to apologize for the error in the story. The mistake happened because I mistakenly thought I heard Coach Giffard as saying both Darlington Nagbe and Zakuani won it (to go along with Teal Bunbury, who of course won it is as well) and unfortunately I was overconfident in thinking that knowledge was correct so I didn't fact check to be sure. I was alerted to the mistake this morning and it was promptly corrected. I do agree with those of you on here who have noted I should have been more careful. You're correct and, again, I do truly apologize for the mistake. I decided to search for this message board (and ultimately register and post this message) to seek out readers so I could apologize for my mistake. If you'd like to visit the article again, here's the link (http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/?p=20768). And if you'd like to keep up with VCU men's soccer coverage, please do visit us at CommonwealthTimes.org/Sports as well as on Twitter @theCT_Sports. Thanks for you're interest in the CT and, one last time, sorry for the mistake. Adam SternCommonwealth Times executive editorE-mail: Editor@CommonwealthTimes.orgTwitter: @A_S12

Kudos to owning up to a mistake, Adam. Also, an interesting and otherwise well-written article on former Zips.I hope you have learned something from the error and that it improves your journalism in the future. Judging by your extended apology, I expect this is the case.I will be continuing to follow VCU basketball and soccer. It would not surprise me to see us host VCU in the NCAA Tournament. If so, you'll want to come up for the game and experience our unique game atmosphere and beautiful stadium and campus.Thanks for stopping by and welcome to ZipsNation.

[fknbuflobo]

To all who have visited and/or read this thread,I am the writer of the article, my name is Adam Stern and I'm a senior at VCU. The story is from VCU's student newspaper, the Commonwealth Times, and we've been trying to provide first-rate coverage of men's soccer so please do keep up with us if you're interested in how Coach Giffard is doing at VCU. First and foremost I'd just like to apologize for the error in the story. The mistake happened because I mistakenly thought I heard Coach Giffard as saying both Darlington Nagbe and Zakuani won it (to go along with Teal Bunbury, who of course won it is as well) and unfortunately I was overconfident in thinking that knowledge was correct so I didn't fact check to be sure. I was alerted to the mistake this morning and it was promptly corrected. I do agree with those of you on here who have noted I should have been more careful. You're correct and, again, I do truly apologize for the mistake. I decided to search for this message board (and ultimately register and post this message) to seek out readers so I could apologize for my mistake. If you'd like to visit the article again, here's the link (http://www.commonwealthtimes.org/?p=20768). And if you'd like to keep up with VCU men's soccer coverage, please do visit us at CommonwealthTimes.org/Sports as well as on Twitter @theCT_Sports. Thanks for you're interest in the CT and, one last time, sorry for the mistake. Adam SternCommonwealth Times executive editorE-mail: Editor@CommonwealthTimes.orgTwitter: @A_S12

Adam,Consider this incident part of your education. We the Faithful accept your apology; time to move on.Give a Zips' shout out to both Coach Giffard and Yoram Mwila.If ever in the NEO, stop in to catch a soccer match. You will not be disappointed.