AkronZip54321 Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 From a purely statistical standpoint this kid is doing things no one has done in decades at Akron. 21 goals after scoring 18 last year is nothing short of remarkable. walking into a national finalist team with most of the team back and leading them in goals in route to a national championship as a freshman is outstanding. he has without a doubt even stepped it up further this year scoring more goals then Zakuani or Teal ever did in 1 season despite being our only goal scoring threat and a marked man everywhere he goes. He doesn't even have a second forward playing with him and is getting beaten on by big centerbacks every game. To me it's really impressive how he has scored big goals the last two games despite these teams KNOWING he is our only main threat and not really giving him an inch. really our team will only go as far as he takes us, not sure we have been so reliant on one player in years past, even in 2008 with Zakuani we had Teal Nagbe Ampai Tutich all chipping in goals. Im not saying hes the greatest Zip in the Porter era but it seems no one even considers that a possibility with Nagbe Teal and Zaks all more highly regarded - maybe not rightly so. Keep going Darren! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fknbuflobo Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 To answer your subject question in one word: NO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyake Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 From a purely statistical standpoint this kid is doing things no one has done in decades at Akron. 21 goals after scoring 18 last year is nothing short of remarkable. walking into a national finalist team with most of the team back and leading them in goals in route to a national championship as a freshman is outstanding. he has without a doubt even stepped it up further this year scoring more goals then Zakuani or Teal ever did in 1 season despite being our only goal scoring threat and a marked man everywhere he goes. He doesn't even have a second forward playing with him and is getting beaten on by big centerbacks every game. To me it's really impressive how he has scored big goals the last two games despite these teams KNOWING he is our only main threat and not really giving him an inch. really our team will only go as far as he takes us, not sure we have been so reliant on one player in years past, even in 2008 with Zakuani we had Teal Nagbe Ampai Tutich all chipping in goals. Im not saying hes the greatest Zip in the Porter era but it seems no one even considers that a possibility with Nagbe Teal and Zaks all more highly regarded - maybe not rightly so. Keep going Darren! +1 Hermann Trophy candidate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUAkronG Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I think the reason Darren doesn't get the recognition is because he is not your usual striker. He is a poacher, in that his movement in the box is superb and he gets open off of rebounds and crosses. Last night was a good example of his insufficiency in finishing, where he should have had a hat trick but instead went for the nutmeg on the keeper and was denied. You can't deny that he has had a great season but in terms of being an elite striker I just don't see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalapeño Zippy Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I think the reason Darren doesn't get the recognition is because he is not your usual striker. He is a poacher, in that his movement in the box is superb and he gets open off of rebounds and crosses. Last night was a good example of his insufficiency in finishing, where he should have had a hat trick but instead went for the nutmeg on the keeper and was denied. You can't deny that he has had a great season but in terms of being an elite striker I just don't see it. I think you forgot the word 'yet.' I think at least one more year (I want 2, but don't see it happening) with Caleb would truly make him an elite striker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbozeglav Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I think the reason Darren doesn't get the recognition is because he is not your usual striker. He is a poacher, in that his movement in the box is superb and he gets open off of rebounds and crosses. Last night was a good example of his insufficiency in finishing, where he should have had a hat trick but instead went for the nutmeg on the keeper and was denied. You can't deny that he has had a great season but in terms of being an elite striker I just don't see it. +1 our other glaring issues throughout the season have overshadowed his play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUAkronG Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I think the reason Darren doesn't get the recognition is because he is not your usual striker. He is a poacher, in that his movement in the box is superb and he gets open off of rebounds and crosses. Last night was a good example of his insufficiency in finishing, where he should have had a hat trick but instead went for the nutmeg on the keeper and was denied. You can't deny that he has had a great season but in terms of being an elite striker I just don't see it. I think you forgot the word 'yet.' I think at least one more year (I want 2, but don't see it happening) with Caleb would truly make him an elite striker. I agree actually, I think he still has a great deal of raw talent that needs to be refined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisbee Posted November 21, 2011 Report Share Posted November 21, 2011 I think the reason Darren doesn't get the recognition is because he is not your usual striker. He is a poacher, in that his movement in the box is superb and he gets open off of rebounds and crosses. Last night was a good example of his insufficiency in finishing, where he should have had a hat trick but instead went for the nutmeg on the keeper and was denied. You can't deny that he has had a great season but in terms of being an elite striker I just don't see it. I think you forgot the word 'yet.' I think at least one more year (I want 2, but don't see it happening) with Caleb would truly make him an elite striker. I agree actually, I think he still has a great deal of raw talent that needs to be refined. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hip Zip Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I think he'll get his credit very soon. In the form of greenbacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roogangs Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I think he'll get his credit very soon. In the form of greenbacks. I agree, however, towards the end of the season he did struggle with performance (not counting first two game of NCAA's). He will be missed next year, but i am sure Porter will find someone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZipster0305 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 +1. Though I don't see him winning the Herman Trophy because we didn't advance far enough in the Tournament and in the games we lost and tied, he tended to be invisible. However, the latter could be taken as how important his performance is to this team's success. Zip MVP? Definitely! Herman Trophy winner? Not this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisbee Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 No way he wins the trophy. I think he needs another year in college.... needs to develop a lot more physical presence. He will,however,be drafted because you can't ignore 21 goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roogangs Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I wonder if Darren will be the only underclassman to leave? my brief thoughts: Darren: will leave Caldwell: had trained with the New England Revolution this past summer (his academy team) but the coaching staff was just switched up which may hurt his chances. I also feel that he did not have a very strong year overall. Meves: good year (two good saves tonight) but still really really needs to work on crosses and punching the ball out. I feel that he has to potential to be a pro but needs to be more confident in himself. Barson: this is the one that scares me the most. always reliable, rarely makes mistakes, and porter has called him the "crutch" of the defense since day one his freshman year. i was told he was invited to train with San Jose and Colorado this past summer and he has always been with Columbus (offered a contract last year but turned it down). unless he wants to finish is degree, he does not have much else to prove. started every game of his career and played almost every minute, national runnerup and champion. i worry if he leaves our organization in the back will fall apart. but then again i am sure porter has someone else up his sleeve! Trapp: great season especially as the year went on. needs to stick around another year or so. Not as explosive as Kitchen but has better ball control. Yedlin/Gallego: not yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyake Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I wonder if Darren will be the only underclassman to leave? my brief thoughts: Darren: will leave Caldwell: had trained with the New England Revolution this past summer (his academy team) but the coaching staff was just switched up which may hurt his chances. I also feel that he did not have a very strong year overall. Meves: good year (two good saves tonight) but still really really needs to work on crosses and punching the ball out. I feel that he has to potential to be a pro but needs to be more confident in himself. Barson: this is the one that scares me the most. always reliable, rarely makes mistakes, and porter has called him the "crutch" of the defense since day one his freshman year. i was told he was invited to train with San Jose and Colorado this past summer and he has always been with Columbus (offered a contract last year but turned it down). unless he wants to finish is degree, he does not have much else to prove. started every game of his career and played almost every minute, national runnerup and champion. i worry if he leaves our organization in the back will fall apart. but then again i am sure porter has someone else up his sleeve! Trapp: great season especially as the year went on. needs to stick around another year or so. Not as explosive as Kitchen but has better ball control. Yedlin/Gallego: not yet Mattocks is the only underclassmen I think we need to worry about. He'll sign generation Adidas and will get a 6 digit salary. the rest will be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crew8 Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 I'd agree, I think the only underclassman to leave will be Mattocks, only because he'll receive a Generation Adidas contract. Holmes, Balogun, and Dagilis are gone(Seniors). Barson, Meves, Caldwell will all be back, not ready for the next level. Trapp has the most talent out of all the Zips players, but probably a bit to young, but you never know, maybe the Crew will sign him, they could use some help in the midfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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