Practice

[fknbuflobo]

I suspect players have begun to assemble. Has anyone seen anything?

[Zip_ME87]

Give it about a week.

[yazan07]

Woo first exhibition match is three weeks from tomorrow! Feels like we've been waiting forever. We'll probably have an intrasquad match before that as well. Can't wait

[bisbee]

Players are supposed to report by Aug 1 which is start of captains practice. First official practice day is Aug 6. I imagine only two possible no shows by Aug 1 might be DeAndre and Aodhan as they have a chance to play in PDL Championship game on Aug 4 if Sounders U23 beat Forest City London next saturday.

[Zip_ME87]

Woo first exhibition match is three weeks from tomorrow! Feels like we've been waiting forever. We'll probably have an intrasquad match before that as well. Can't wait

Since there are 2 exhibition games at home this year, we may not have an intrasquad match, but I'm with you...Can't wait!

[fknbuflobo]

I watched a few knock the ball around a bit W/8/1/2012.

I am vacationing down at the Beach, and I cannot attend Captains' practices. Too bad!

Surely someone has seen something! Yaz? ME?

[plowerman78]

talked to Meves (who dropped some lb's btw) and caldwell today at the womens soccer game and was told team meetings are tomorrow, practice on Tuesday

[bisbee]

talked to Meves (who dropped some lb's btw) and caldwell today at the womens soccer game and was told team meetings are tomorrow, practice on Tuesday

I also believe they do something like SPARQ testing before Weds.

[fknbuflobo]

http://www.nike.com/nikefootball/training/...st?locale=en_US

http://www.topendsports.com/sport/soccer/soccer-sparq.htm

[bobbyake]

[bisbee]

Will be interesting to see what formation they play.

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/sports/sports_...-first-practice

[bisbee]

Following from a post on Big Soccer Akron thread: I saw the first practice today. Koroma will be a stud. Souders worked with the 2nd team. Looks like he will start on the bench. That new goalie Pina will be a stud. Too bad he has to wait a year.. Thomas Schmitt looked great. he scored a few goals on 7v 7's.

[fknbuflobo]

Take away from Porter's comments:

Gallego is playing in the back, which will likely be 4 across.

Serna figures in Midfield.

[bobbyake]

At least 7-8 of the starters should be returning players. We have a very tough schedule early in the season that we'll need veteran leadership. I wonder who will start at LB.

[Zip_ME87]

Take away from Porter's comments:

Gallego is playing in the back, which will likely be 4 across.

Serna figures in Midfield.

Interesting. I heard Caleb's comments as the Zips will play the 4-3-3 and 3-4-3.

Paraphrased - We have DeAndre Yedlin, Chad Barson, and Bryan Gallego returning. If we play 4 in the back that leaves left back a bit up in the air. We have Scott Caldwell, Wil Trapp, Eric Stevenson, and Aodhan Quinn returning at midfield. If we play with 3, obviously those 4 guys will be fighting for those spots. If we play with 4 then we have those guys. I believe Dillon Serna will also compete for a starting spot...

[Zip_ME87]

At least 7-8 of the starters should be returning players. We have a very tough schedule early in the season that we'll need veteran leadership. I wonder who will start at LB.

Competition between Souders, Afsarifard, and Brenes.

[TheTank123]

Competition between Souders, Afsarifard, and Brenes.

Its more likely that Souders plays inside and Gallego moves outside. Remember Gallego played all over the place last year and from what I know about Souders he's a CB exclusively.

[Z.I.P.]

Its more likely that Souders plays inside and Gallego moves outside. Remember Gallego played all over the place last year and from what I know about Souders he's a CB exclusively.

I hope my memory's not deceiving me -- I am getting to that age -- but, I seem to recall Drew Souders playing the Right Back for the US in the 2011 U-17 World Cup game 1 (where he also wore the armband). I don't think he played at all in the other two games. It's possible I'm confusing his international comp with Perry Kitchen, who had a very similar story. He too was at RB two years earlier I think. Does anyone else recall Souders' WC tournament, or seeing Drew elsewhere? Unless he can fit in along with Barson in the center (with Gallego moved to LB), he may be the nation's best sub, since I don't see him taking the place of our current RB. Now Chad Barson -- there's a central defender!

[yazan07]

Hasn't Porter said in the past that he plays a system to best suit the players he has? Of course I am not a national championship and international coach, but I would find a way to get Barson, Gallego, and Souders all on the field. If that means playing Gallego at LB or DM then I would do that, because I have to think that he would still be more effective playing out of position than trying to force someone else to play there. Oh well I'm sure he has thought of every scenario and will do what makes the most sense. If Souders doesn't end up starting though, I wouldn't expect to see him come off the bench. There's just no need to sub out a centerback unless there is an injury. So either Porter finds a line up that includes him, or he sits this year.

Also a little surprised to hear Stevenson among the names for potential starters. He still hasn't really impressed me, but I guess he had a pretty good spring season. Maybe the reason he hasn't been that impressive is because he has also been played out of position at LB. If we don't have a starting LB though and we have a crowded midfield, I could see Porter still playing Stevenson there.

I have a feeling we'll see a rotating cast of starters the first few games. Too many good, versatile options. Many possibilities. Can't wait for the season to get started. I'm out of town right now so I can't really follow up on practices. If anyone else can keep the updates coming, please do!

[Zip_ME87]

Referring to Caleb's Practice Day 1 comments, I also found it interesting that Caleb counts Ben Speas among former Zips in the MLS (15, i.e., 14 + 1 in Thailand) although a number of ZN.o members (not me) and GoZips.com do not.

I just thought it was interesting given the minor debate on this topic on ZN.o sometime back. I think the discussion was in the "Speas" thread.

[MDZip]

Referring to Caleb's Practice Day 1 comments, I also found it interesting that Caleb counts Ben Speas among former Zips in the MLS (15, i.e., 14 + 1 in Thailand) although a number of ZN.o members (not me) and GoZips.com do not.

I just thought it was interesting given the minor debate on this topic on ZN.o sometime back. I think the discussion was in the "Speas" thread.

He won a national chmapionship and actually played in that game with the Zips. I don't see how he could not be counted as a former Zip. Perry Kitchen only played one season and then departed and I don't see the same discussion about him. And Z.I.P, of course Barson is a natural center back. I believe his parents named him that to give him the initials C.B.

[Zip_ME87]

He won a national chmapionship and actually played in that game with the Zips. I don't see how he could not be counted as a former Zip. Perry Kitchen only played one season and then departed and I don't see the same discussion about him.

I agree with you.

And Z.I.P, of course Barson is a natural center back. I believe his parents named him that to give him the initials C.B.

I'll have to ask Chad's parents if that's true next time I see them (probably August 15th). Good theory, but would probably hold up better if his name was something like Nathaniel Chad Barson (NCB - Natural Center Back).

[TheTank123]

Hasn't Porter said in the past that he plays a system to best suit the players he has? Of course I am not a national championship and international coach, but I would find a way to get Barson, Gallego, and Souders all on the field. If that means playing Gallego at LB or DM then I would do that, because I have to think that he would still be more effective playing out of position than trying to force someone else to play there. Oh well I'm sure he has thought of every scenario and will do what makes the most sense. If Souders doesn't end up starting though, I wouldn't expect to see him come off the bench. There's just no need to sub out a centerback unless there is an injury. So either Porter finds a line up that includes him, or he sits this year.

Also a little surprised to hear Stevenson among the names for potential starters. He still hasn't really impressed me, but I guess he had a pretty good spring season. Maybe the reason he hasn't been that impressive is because he has also been played out of position at LB. If we don't have a starting LB though and we have a crowded midfield, I could see Porter still playing Stevenson there.

I have a feeling we'll see a rotating cast of starters the first few games. Too many good, versatile options. Many possibilities. Can't wait for the season to get started. I'm out of town right now so I can't really follow up on practices. If anyone else can keep the updates coming, please do!

[fknbuflobo]

I definitely see you working, Tank.

I simply just cannot see Quinn coming off the bench.

Derschang, or Serna, or even Schmitt will sit before Quinn, I will warrant.