Practice

[bisbee]

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.

Having watched Quinn play in PDL this summer I have to agree with you. Mystery to me is Derschang. I know the guy comes with all sorts of youth soccer accolades and statistically had a good freshman season with 5 goals and 5 assists. However,last season in 17 games/15 starts he had only one goal and one assist.

[yazan07]

Having watched Quinn play in PDL this summer I have to agree with you. Mystery to me is Derschang. I know the guy comes with all sorts of youth soccer accolades and statistically had a good freshman season with 5 goals and 5 assists. However,last season in 17 games/15 starts he had only one goal and one assist.

Are we sure Derschang is an Aodhan Quinn type transfer who is an instant starter rather than a Zac Portillos type transfer who will come off the bench and maybe get a spot start here or there?

[AkronZip54321]

Are we sure Derschang is an Aodhan Quinn type transfer who is an instant starter rather than a Zac Portillos type transfer who will come off the bench and maybe get a spot start here or there?

Some thoughts:

US U-20 players will walk into the starting 11. This means Koroma and Serna.

Schmitt will almost definitely be used in a similar role to last year where he is a sub off the bench. It fits his skillset as a spark to come on and change the game.

I think some people are over valuing experience. Porter usually either plays guys in their first year or they have limited roles/ transfer out. Blue chip recruits arent your normal freshman that have deer in the headlights in the first game against a top 25 team.

I do think a Gallego- Souders- Barson - Yedlin back 4 is nice, but it's really unfortuante we don't have a left footed version of Yedlin because this team has not replaced Korb now for 2 years and thats the one position Akron doesn't have.

I haven't seen Serna play so it remains to be seen whether he will be used in a winger role or something more similar to what Ampai did. However I don't think a Serna/ Caldwell/ Trapp trio in the midfield will really work as we won't have a hard nosed defensive midfielder in that mix. Im wondering if Gallego playing Dmid is out of the question?

Anyone know much about Morris? Heard he was offered a home grown contract by Toronto FC but turned it down. If thats the case he has to be in the mix to be starting up front as well.

[TheTank123]

Some thoughts:

US U-20 players will walk into the starting 11. This means Koroma and Serna.

Schmitt will almost definitely be used in a similar role to last year where he is a sub off the bench. It fits his skillset as a spark to come on and change the game.

I think some people are over valuing experience. Porter usually either plays guys in their first year or they have limited roles/ transfer out. Blue chip recruits arent your normal freshman that have deer in the headlights in the first game against a top 25 team.

I do think a Gallego- Souders- Barson - Yedlin back 4 is nice, but it's really unfortuante we don't have a left footed version of Yedlin because this team has not replaced Korb now for 2 years and thats the one position Akron doesn't have.

I haven't seen Serna play so it remains to be seen whether he will be used in a winger role or something more similar to what Ampai did. However I don't think a Serna/ Caldwell/ Trapp trio in the midfield will really work as we won't have a hard nosed defensive midfielder in that mix. Im wondering if Gallego playing Dmid is out of the question?

Anyone know much about Morris? Heard he was offered a home grown contract by Toronto FC but turned it down. If thats the case he has to be in the mix to be starting up front as well.

They gave Serna the 10. Would boggle my mind if he's not in Ampai's role. Caldwell can't do it and Trapp doesn't play that style.

Agree with your sentiment about the destroyer DM...I think Trapp could do it though. I think this team will be a lot better defensively regardless of who is in that position. DeA's defense is lightyears ahead of where it was just a year ago and we know CB and BG always bring it.

Have heard good things about Morris. I would tend to agree wtih you on Schmitt but it sounds like he absolutely tore up spring season and is doing really well already.

Can anyone make it out to their second practice tonight? I know they had an 11 v 11 scrimmage last night that sounds like it was 1's v 2's so maybe we could glean something from a scrimmage tonight.

[plowerman78]

slightly off topic, but College Soccer News finally came out with their 2012 Top 30 Recruiting Classes. Akron checks in at number 2, only behind Wake Forest. http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page438.htm

[Ando]

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

Yeah, I sort of think this is likely - Having listened to some of the guys talk in the past, It sounds as if Barca is the team these guys watch/try to emulate the most, and Pep played around with the 343 as an alternative look last year. It's not a forced concept either, given the personnel I don't think - we've got three solid centerhalves and there's no reason to think Dre Yedlin can't start a bit higher up

[Crew8]

A good 2012 preview article on the Zips this season from ISN.

http://internationalsoccernetwork.com/blog/?p=4560

[bisbee]

Anyone there last night who would like to post?

[Zip_ME87]

Anyone there last night who would like to post?

All I'll say is that the orange team last night (8/9/12) included Gallego (LB), Barson, Souders, Yedlin, Trapp, Caldwell, Serna, Derschang, Koroma, and Schmitt.

[yazan07]

All I'll say is that the orange team last night (8/9/12) included Gallego (LB), Barson, Souders, Yedlin, Trapp, Caldwell, Serna, Derschang, Koroma, and Schmitt.

This lineup looked familiar and I checked back a page to find Tank had made this exact prediction. Looks great, though I'm still surprised to see no Aodhan Quinn. Do you remember what the reserve team looked like? Probably hard to distinguish some of the head-shaven new guys.

[Zip_ME87]

This lineup looked familiar and I checked back a page to find Tank had made this exact prediction. Looks great, though I'm still surprised to see no Aodhan Quinn. Do you remember what the reserve team looked like? Probably hard to distinguish some of the head-shaven new guys.

The 1st hour of practice was drills. While I was behind the north goal watching the GK's practicing and challenging each other during the drills, Aodhan injured his left leg. He was sitting on the bench icing it, but he was wearing a blue vest. I remember Chui "ref'ing" the west sideline. Stevenson was with the blue (but got hurt and sat for sometime also). I think Renaldo was the center ref. With this information and looking at the roster, you can probably figure out who played on the blue squad. I remember hearing players calling out directions to each other by name, but I didn't commit the blue squad line-up to memory.

Pina played 30 minutes in goal with the blue, and if I remember correctly, Meves played the 2nd 30 minutes in goal for blue. Meves played the 1st 30 minutes in goal for the orange and then McAdams played the 2nd 30 minutes with the orange.

EDIT: I wish I could have returned Friday evening. I think I heard Caleb say they were going to work on the 3-4-3 "tomorrow". I'd have loved to have seen the orange squad make up for this formation. We may find out next Friday, given that he's already used the 3-4-3 vs Wright State resulting in a plethora of goals.

[TheTank123]

The 1st hour of practice was drills. While I was behind the north goal watching the GK's practicing and challenging each other during the drills, Aodhan injured his left leg. He was sitting on the bench icing it, but he was wearing a blue vest. I remember Chui "ref'ing" the west sideline. Stevenson was with the blue (but got hurt and sat for sometime also). I think Renaldo was the center ref. With this information and looking at the roster, you can probably figure out who played on the blue squad. I remember hearing players calling out directions to each other by name, but I didn't commit the blue squad line-up to memory.

Pina played 30 minutes in goal with the blue, and if I remember correctly, Meves played the 2nd 30 minutes in goal for blue. Meves played the 1st 30 minutes in goal for the orange and then McAdams played the 2nd 30 minutes with the orange.

EDIT: I wish I could have returned Friday evening. I think I heard Caleb say they were going to work on the 3-4-3 "tomorrow". I'd have loved to have seen the orange squad make up for this formation. We may find out next Friday, given that he's already used the 3-4-3 vs Wright State resulting in a plethora of goals.

[plowerman78]

just a reminder for those unable to come on Wednesday or Friday, both of those games will be streamed online for free on gozips.com .....on the call for those 2 will be urs truly

[bisbee]

just a reminder for those unable to come on Wednesday or Friday, both of those games will be streamed online for free on gozips.com .....on the call for those 2 will be urs truly

Great!!!

[fknbuflobo]

just a reminder for those unable to come on Wednesday or Friday, both of those games will be streamed online for free on gozips.com .....on the call for those 2 will be urs truly

Right On!

[Zip_ME87]

Don't know what the whole formation looked like, but work on the 3-4-3 had Gallego/Barson/Yedlin in the backline with Trapp playing a CDM role and dropping back into defense when D pushed forward. Sounds like the philosophy is basically the same, he said he gets forward as much in 3-4-3 as he does in 4-3-3.

Do you know who was up front? In the Spring, if I remember correctly, DeA was the right forward in the 3-4-3.

[TheTank123]

Do you know who was up front? In the Spring, if I remember correctly, DeA was the right forward in the 3-4-3.

[fknbuflobo]

Yedlin is 4th MF in 3-4-3.

[TheTank123]

Yedlin is 4th MF in 3-4-3.

Think hed play D

[plowerman78]

just my take...we will find out Wednesday i guess....3 in the back yedlin rb barson cb Barson lb gallego...a diamond midfield Sounders at dmid (perry kitchen roll) Caldwell and Derschang are your wing midfielders Trapp at the holding/attacking midfielder (similar to what Blair played) Serna in that CAM/F roll that Darlington played so well. And of course your 2 forwards in Karoma and Tommy. oh yeah Meves in goal. imo it could be a 3-4-1-2, 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3

[TheTank123]

just my take...we will find out Wednesday i guess....3 in the back yedlin rb barson cb Barson lb gallego...a diamond midfield Sounders at dmid (perry kitchen roll) Caldwell and Derschang are your wing midfielders Trapp at the holding/attacking midfielder (similar to what Blair played) Serna in that CAM/F roll that Darlington played so well. And of course your 2 forwards in Karoma and Tommy. oh yeah Meves in goal. imo it could be a 3-4-1-2, 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3

Yeah, chances are a lot of this formation guessing is just semantics. They played a 4-3-3 last year but the two outside backs were so high it looked more like a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 sometimes.

[Zip_ME87]

just my take...we will find out Wednesday i guess....3 in the back yedlin rb barson cb Barson lb gallego...a diamond midfield Sounders at dmid (perry kitchen roll) Caldwell and Derschang are your wing midfielders Trapp at the holding/attacking midfielder (similar to what Blair played) Serna in that CAM/F roll that Darlington played so well. And of course your 2 forwards in Karoma and Tommy. oh yeah Meves in goal. imo it could be a 3-4-1-2, 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3

Yeah, we'll either find out Wednesday or Friday, but i love this discussion. Thanks headaviatorrowdie and TheTank.

GO ZIPS!

[robh91]

just my take...we will find out Wednesday i guess....3 in the back yedlin rb barson cb Barson lb gallego...a diamond midfield Sounders at dmid (perry kitchen roll) Caldwell and Derschang are your wing midfielders Trapp at the holding/attacking midfielder (similar to what Blair played) Serna in that CAM/F roll that Darlington played so well. And of course your 2 forwards in Karoma and Tommy. oh yeah Meves in goal. imo it could be a 3-4-1-2, 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3

Kind of on that note... This may be something like what you are referring to. I really think a 3-4-1-2 could be amazing with this team.

------------Koroma----------Schmitt--------

------------------Quinn/Serna---------------

-Serna/Quinn------------------------Yedlin-

--------------Caldwell-------Trapp----------

---------Gallego----Barson---Souders-----

In this formation I feel like we'd have an absolute killer defense, possibly even more defensive than 4 in the back (3 very strong CBs committed to defense, as opposed to 2 CBs, a makeshift LB, and a RB who often seems more like a winger). This also gives Yedlin the freedom to push further up the pitch playing a role similar to Nani. Serna is also a winger, but I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) he has been playing some LB for the U-17s? Serna and Yedlin as outside mids would give Akron some cover in the back as both have experience playing fullback positions, without sacrificing width on the attack. Trapp could slide into the back line when needed like he did in the spring, with Caldwell playing a bit higher up to distribute the ball to the wingers and forwards. The CF/CAM role would be filled by a player who can create opportunities as well as go for goal himself, such as Quinn. He and Serna could be swapped to commit the left side more to attacking, possibly having Yedlin play a bit more defensive, Koroma more central, and Schmitt play a little more like a winger. I have not seen Koroma play, but from what I have heard, he could most likely adapt to any formation. As for Schmitt, I feel he is most effective when he can combine with a second striker. So far it seems like he may catch fire this season, so it may be wise to play a formation that suits him.

Overall, I think this formation would give us a more solid defense, and allow us to attack from the center with more players without sacrificing width... I'd love to see it. Any opinions?

[yazan07]

Kind of on that note... This may be something like what you are referring to. I really think a 3-4-1-2 could be amazing with this team.

------------Koroma----------Schmitt--------

------------------Quinn/Serna---------------

-Serna/Quinn------------------------Yedlin-

--------------Caldwell-------Trapp----------

---------Gallego----Barson---Souders-----

In this formation I feel like we'd have an absolute killer defense, possibly even more defensive than 4 in the back (3 very strong CBs committed to defense, as opposed to 2 CBs, a makeshift LB, and a RB who often seems more like a winger). This also gives Yedlin the freedom to push further up the pitch playing a role similar to Nani. Serna is also a winger, but I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) he has been playing some LB for the U-17s? Serna and Yedlin as outside mids would give Akron some cover in the back as both have experience playing fullback positions, without sacrificing width on the attack. Trapp could slide into the back line when needed like he did in the spring, with Caldwell playing a bit higher up to distribute the ball to the wingers and forwards. The CF/CAM role would be filled by a player who can create opportunities as well as go for goal himself, such as Quinn. He and Serna could be swapped to commit the left side more to attacking, possibly having Yedlin play a bit more defensive, Koroma more central, and Schmitt play a little more like a winger. I have not seen Koroma play, but from what I have heard, he could most likely adapt to any formation. As for Schmitt, I feel he is most effective when he can combine with a second striker. So far it seems like he may catch fire this season, so it may be wise to play a formation that suits him.

Overall, I think this formation would give us a more solid defense, and allow us to attack from the center with more players without sacrificing width... I'd love to see it. Any opinions?

Woah I thought of this exact same lineup a few weeks ago, and for many of the same reasons. We have 3 solid CBs,why not have them all play at once, and not task any of them with going forward? I also thought of Serna's experience with playing LB but with his strengths as more of an attacker being a reason why he could play a role like that and it making sense. I wonder if Porter is on the same page as us haha.

[TheTank123]

Woah I thought of this exact same lineup a few weeks ago, and for many of the same reasons. We have 3 solid CBs,why not have them all play at once, and not task any of them with going forward? I also thought of Serna's experience with playing LB but with his strengths as more of an attacker being a reason why he could play a role like that and it making sense. I wonder if Porter is on the same page as us haha.

My guess is a 4-3-3:

Derschang-------Schmitt-----Koroma

-------------------Serna------------------

----------Caldwell---------------------------

-----------------------Trapp-------------

Portillos/Stevenson/???----Gallego-----Barson-----Yedlin