WMU upsets Zips in pks

[Zip_ME87]

It would be the first time Porter will have played against his former team.

We played and beat Indiana at home last year 2-1 in the third round of the College Cup.

Goes to show what a newbie knows

bisbee, since you are clearly among those of us who still believe, a little additional history... in 1986, an unseeded Akron Zips Mens Soccer Team went all the way to the College Cup in Tacoma, Washington and brought home the runner up trophy.

GO ZIPS!

[dogsy]

I agree....Holmes needs to be allowed to express himself and play in the hole. If he is allowed to do this he will destroy teams....!

[Ando]

I tend to agree that in terms of creating, we actually played pretty well against WMU, but I'd be a little more concerned than Porter was in his post game interview with the finishing. I mean, the misses by Caldwell and Schmitt were just appalling. Those were complete sitters, not to mention the probably half-dozen or so half chances we had as well - The post-game highlights are a reel of horrors in terms of the number of misses

Other than not putting the ball into the back of the net, I thought Darren played really well. I'm not going to clamor for him to get a strike partner, because I definitely think he can operate as a lone center forward; in fact, it's probably important to remember that this is soccer at a developmental level and playing as a target man instead of just a poacher has forced Darren to add things to his game that just weren't there last year. For him, that's more important than getting results - And he was the one who put Tommy and Scotty in on what should have both been goals, hands down.

So while I was calling for a change for to a 442 about halfway through the season, I don't want that now because (1) 442 doesn't really lend itself toward possession soccer in and of itself and the players aren't used to playing with each other in that shape, and (2) it's probably better for Darren (who, let's be honest, is above and away the player on this team with the highest ceiling) in the long run, even if he's best going back to the 'Welbeck role' at the next level and (3), I don't think we have the same quality candidates that we had last year to play wide midfield positions

[fknbuflobo]

I tend to agree that in terms of creating, we actually played pretty well against WMU, but I'd be a little more concerned than Porter was in his post game interview with the finishing. I mean, the misses by Caldwell and Schmitt were just appalling. Those were complete sitters, not to mention the probably half-dozen or so half chances we had as well - The post-game highlights are a reel of horrors in terms of the number of misses

Other than not putting the ball into the back of the net, I thought Darren played really well. I'm not going to clamor for him to get a strike partner, because I definitely think he can operate as a lone center forward; in fact, it's probably important to remember that this is soccer at a developmental level and playing as a target man instead of just a poacher has forced Darren to add things to his game that just weren't there last year. For him, that's more important than getting results - And he was the one who put Tommy and Scotty in on what should have both been goals, hands down.

So while I was calling for a change for to a 442 about halfway through the season, I don't want that now because (1) 442 doesn't really lend itself toward possession soccer in and of itself and the players aren't used to playing with each other in that shape, and (2) it's probably better for Darren (who, let's be honest, is above and away the player on this team with the highest ceiling) in the long run, even if he's best going back to the 'Welbeck role' at the next level and (3), I don't think we have the same quality candidates that we had last year to play wide midfield positions

I agree to your points, with a few caveats regarding Mattocks.

While he has certainly grown as a player, it is my opinion that Mattocks could use another year at Akron before turning professional. His passing has improved, but it still is not at the level of an all-purpose Forward. (Yes, he should have had two assists vs. WMU.) An inveterate poacher, Mattocks is not yet physically strong enough to be a first rate target/post-up man. Nagbe was a consummate target man during the last two seasons, but he has found the going rough in the MLS where there are truly strong players. The transition from collegiate soccer to the pros is significant. A strong boy does not equal a strong man. Mattocks is really not physically strong even in comparison to collegiate players. Another year at Akron will allow him to fill out his frame, gain 5-10 pounds.

Judging by the progress made this year, Mattocks could easily be the first player selected in the 2013 draft. It would only make sense for Mattocks to turn professional this year if Generation Adidas came a calling. That deal is simply too good to pass up. Porter will provide valuable guidance and advice. I hope Darren Mattocks remains a Zip for another year.