Akron mid Serna on path to MNT future

[Soccershins]

The Akron-bound playmaker chalks it up to his time with the Rapids first team and new head coach Oscar Pareja. “It’s helped me a lot,” Serna told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I am in with the first team everyday – getting my touches. I am not that big, so I have to be technical . . . I have to play to fast.”

Dillon Serna maturing into complete player

[yazan07]

Dillon Serna maturing into complete player

Where does this kid fit into our starting XI? We have a pretty stacked pool of midfielders, but Serna sounds too good not to play. Probably depends on what kind of formation Porter decides to roll out this Fall.

[Zip_ME87]

Where does this kid fit into our starting XI? We have a pretty stacked pool of midfielders, but Serna sounds too good not to play. Probably depends on what kind of formation Porter decides to roll out this Fall.

This is just a guess, but based on the Spring match vs Wright State, I think we may see more substitutions this season than we have in the past.There may be a number of games where we start in one formation, 3-4-3 for example, and then switch to another, our usual 4-3-3. This will likely mean a couple of players may switch positions and others, who better fit the formation, may be substituted out/in. Instead of a starting XI, we may have XIII players who are considered starters depending upon whether we're starting the match in a 3-4-3 or a 4-3-3.

[AkronZip54321]

This is just a guess, but based on the Spring match vs Wright State, I think we may see more substitutions this season than we have in the past.There may be a number of games where we start in one formation, 3-4-3 for example, and then switch to another, our usual 4-3-3. This will likely mean a couple of players may switch positions and others, who better fit the formation, may be substituted out/in. Instead of a starting XI, we may have XIII players who are considered starters depending upon whether we're starting the match in a 3-4-3 or a 4-3-3.

I think he will play up front in a 4-3-3 with Koroma through the middle and the SMU transfer on the other side.

[yazan07]

The 3-4-3 we saw in that game was very interesting and really could make sense for this team as we are going to have three very good centerbacks in Barson, Gallego, and Souders. I'm not sure if it would alter the personnel a lot though because I don't think playing with three defenders puts Dr. Dre (trying so hard to force that nickname on everyone) on the bench, it just relieves him of some defensive responsibilities, as we saw in that Wright State game. If we do go with four defenders, he plays at his usual right back spot and then we have one of those CBs, probably Gallego, play LB and not push up as much, or have another winger play on the left and maybe Gallego plays as a destroyer. Can't really see Souders on the bench, cause as much as you can make an argument that Porter will just sub more, we really know he doesn't do that and he definitely won't sub centerbacks out unless it's necessary. All three of those guys play, and one of them might be playing slightly out of position.

It really does help that we have such versatile players. I still can't see guys like Stevenson, Portillos, and maybe even Brenes starting regularly, but we've seen each of these guys as outside backs, central midfielders, and wide forwards. Those kind of utility players are very helpful to have.

This team is going to be sick.

[Zip_ME87]

The 3-4-3 we saw in that game was very interesting and really could make sense for this team as we are going to have three very good centerbacks in Barson, Gallego, and Souders. I'm not sure if it would alter the personnel a lot though because I don't think playing with three defenders puts Dr. Dre (trying so hard to force that nickname on everyone) on the bench, it just relieves him of some defensive responsibilities, as we saw in that Wright State game. If we do go with four defenders, he plays at his usual right back spot and then we have one of those CBs, probably Gallego, play LB and not push up as much, or have another winger play on the left and maybe Gallego plays as a destroyer. Can't really see Souders on the bench, cause as much as you can make an argument that Porter will just sub more, we really know he doesn't do that and he definitely won't sub centerbacks out unless it's necessary. All three of those guys play, and one of them might be playing slightly out of position.

It really does help that we have such versatile players. I still can't see guys like Stevenson, Portillos, and maybe even Brenes starting regularly, but we've seen each of these guys as outside backs, central midfielders, and wide forwards. Those kind of utility players are very helpful to have.

This team is going to be sick.

I agree that DeAndre would not be on the bench. I would see him at right wing as we did vs Wright State. With Mattocks gone, replacing his goal production is going to be the Zips biggest challenge. Also, I wouldn't consider subbing 2 players a lot of subbing. When the Zips switched from the 3-4-3 to the 4-3-3, Zac and Renaldo were subbed into the match (can't remember the players who subbed out), and DeAndre shifted to his "normal" right back position in the 4-3-3 formation. Hence, my reference to a possible starting XIII (not necessarily including these players). Our 3-4-3 may have a few different starters than our 4-3-3. I certainly can see Caleb utilizing the players who are best for each formation.

[fknbuflobo]

I think he will play up front in a 4-3-3 with Koroma through the middle and the SMU transfer on the other side.

Koroma on left, Schmitt in the middle, Derschang of the right. Serna must beat out Tommy to start, and Tommy was on fire during Spring.

[bobbyake]

I can't see Schmitt not starting.

[Zip_ME87]

Koroma on left, Schmitt in the middle, Derschang of the right. Serna must beat out Tommy to start, and Tommy was on fire during Spring.

Not that simple. Aodhan Quinn is also in the mix.

[TheTank123]

Not that simple. Aodhan Quinn is also in the mix.

Who has, by all accounts, been tearing up the NW PDL league, arguably the best division (last two Nat Champs).

[yazan07]

Not that simple. Aodhan Quinn is also in the mix.

Didn't we see Quinn play in the midfield last Spring? Another versatile player. Seattle guys, help me out, where has he been playing this summer? and in what type of formation?

[TheTank123]

Didn't we see Quinn play in the midfield last Spring? Another versatile player. Seattle guys, help me out, where has he been playing this summer? and in what type of formation?

CM in a 442. WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY different than anything Akron plays. DeAndre is going nuts not getting forward like he's used to.

[fknbuflobo]

Quinn will play MF for Zips in 2012.

[Zip_ME87]

Didn't we see Quinn play in the midfield last Spring? Another versatile player. Seattle guys, help me out, where has he been playing this summer? and in what type of formation?

Yes. You are correct. Quinn was in midfield alongside Scott Caldwell.

[AkronZip54321]

If we go 3-4-3 which may be the best way to get our best players on the field I see it being this:

Meves

Souders, Barson, Gallego

Yedlin, Trapp, Caldwell, Quinn

Serna, Koroma, Derschang

I can tell you that any blue chip recruit Porter brings in will be planned on being a starter going into day 1. I still can almost assure you that he will not go with 3-4-3 as his primary system. I've had trouble finding a left back, can Souders play there? Also remember Gallego played DM in the NCAAs and after the Northwestern game Porter told him that he looked like Perry Kitchen out there. It's not a foregone conclusion that Souders Barson and Gallego are battling for centerback spots.

Also I know that Schmidt is a very nice player and had a great spring but Porter loves having him as a spark off the bench and I'd be very surprised if he starts.

[ndzeigler]

I feel like Tommy will at least get a chance starting. I think he has been here longer than any other player on the team and has worked hard to earn a chance to start. But I think you'll see Porter trying quite a few different combinations at the beginning of the season to see what works best as the players gel. At this point, There are only three players that I am confident will start every game, Barson, Meves and Caldwell. Other than that, I think it's probably all up for grabs.

[TheTank123]

I feel like Tommy will at least get a chance starting. I think he has been here longer than any other player on the team and has worked hard to earn a chance to start. But I think you'll see Porter trying quite a few different combinations at the beginning of the season to see what works best as the players gel. At this point, There are only three players that I am confident will start every game, Barson, Meves and Caldwell. Other than that, I think it's probably all up for grabs.

I'm pretty sure you can add Wil Trapp to that list.

[Zip_ME87]

At this point, there are only three players that I am confident will start every game, Barson, Meves and Caldwell. Other than that, I think it's probably all up for grabs.

I would add Trapp, Yedlin, and Gallego. They fit well into both the 4-3-3 (usual formation) and the 3-4-3.

Meves will compete with Pina and McAdams.

[bisbee]

I think he will play up front in a 4-3-3 with Koroma through the middle and the SMU transfer on the other side.

Why are you presuming Derschang will start? As a freshman in 2010 he had 5 goals and 5 assists but last year only one and one.

[bobbyake]

Why are you presuming Derschang will start? As a freshman in 2010 he had 5 goals and 5 assists but last year only one and one.

I believe you're right, I don't see Derschang starting over Schmitt. He wasn't one of TopDrawers top 100's. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soc...nal-top-100/men

[TheTank123]

I believe you're right, I don't see Derschang starting over Schmitt. He wasn't one of TopDrawers top 100's. http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soc...nal-top-100/men

I also can't see Derschang transferring to sit on the bench...maybe he's our new left back?

[TheTank123]

All I know is that this team should be absolutely disgusting this year. The leap forward that DeAndre and Aodhan made from the end of the season to right now is like night and day. I can only imagine that other kids have done the same. Losing Darren will hurt, but I think Alfred and an improved Schmitt should really really work well up top.

[bobbyake]

## Player gp g a pts sh sh% sog sog% gw pk-att

17 DERSCHANG, Robbie 17 1 1 3 31 .032 14 .452 0 0-0

21 SCHMITT, Thomas 23 5 0 10 40 .125 19 .475 2 0-0

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/smu/sp...eason_stats.pdf

[bobbyake]

Derschang's stat production at SMU doesn't look like a Zip starter. Anyone know if he's playing PDL right now?

[AkronZip54321]

Derschang's stat production at SMU doesn't look like a Zip starter. Anyone know if he's playing PDL right now?

well then maybe this:

Yedlin, Souders, Barson, Stevenson;

Trapp, Gallego;

Caldwell;

Serna, Koroma, Quinn