Ohio State Buckeyes

[Buckzip]

Until people start showing up to defend the almighty Suckeyes. Happens all the time.

Of course if your obsession didn't force you to turn all threads into an OSU attack thread, that wouldn't be needed. Now would it?

You are good for a chuckle skippy.

Can't State is our rival but butthurt guys like you think OSU is.

Now go ahead and delete mod. Lol.

[Dave in Green]

Any discussion in any ZN.o forum is fair game for a general tOSU discussion to break out. It's pretty easy to go back to the beginning and see how the discussion evolved and who contributed what. It's like officials looking at video replays to see who threw the first punch.

[Balsy]

Can't State is our rival but butthurt guys like you think OSU is.

I'll interject here: For Soccer, OSU is as much a rival for us as any other school on the schedule. Every OSU game is an exciting atmosphere with OSU fans cheering as well as Akron fans, making it more a rivalry than the non existent Akron-Can't soccer game.

Second: Since when do we only have ONE rival? yes Can't is our Arch-rival...but aren't all Ohio schools rivals by virtue of proximity?

[Buckzip]

Any discussion in any ZN.o forum is fair game for a general tOSU discussion to break out. It's pretty easy to go back to the beginning and see how the discussion evolved and who contributed what. It's like officials looking at video replays to see who threw the first punch.

We both know they are never general discussions. They are immature attacks.

This is a Zips Forum. Maybe the name should be changed to bashosunation.org.

Too bad there isn't a site that actually discusses UA sports.

[Buckzip]

I'll interject here: For Soccer, OSU is as much a rival for us as any other school on the schedule. Every OSU game is an exciting atmosphere with OSU fans cheering as well as Akron fans, making it more a rivalry than the non existent Akron-Can't soccer game.

Second: Since when do we only have ONE rival? yes Can't is our Arch-rival...but aren't all Ohio schools rivals by virtue of proximity?

I guess all Ohio schools, except the ones in our conference and we play in all sports, are our rivals.

There is only one that is constantly attacked and called juvenile names.

I don't see OU, BG, Miami, and Toledo constantly bashed by obsessive UA fans.

[LZIp]

This was the first game I attended this season. Happy with the win, but was a bit disappointed with the atmosphere, especially since it was against OSU

[Dave in Green]

OK, why not mention that the Zips won, 1-0, and explain a little more about the "atmosphere?"

[skip-zip]

Great win. That's 7 straight games with a victory (one tie) against OSWho. And some rough play and a couple of skirmishes, which continues the tradition of the folks from the holy Cowlumbus State hating the idea of losing to the "inferior" University of Akron.

But, I did notice the attendance. A perfect night drawing 3,300 when a September weekday game against the Suckeyes has drawn as much at 7,000 plus in recent years?

[Z.I.P.]

What OSU - or any other top 25 team - is doing really doesn't matter to us.

EXCUSE ME! But we are talking Akron football here -- as in Association Football! And in football, Akron is the top-25, or top-10, or NOT the OSUckeyes!

[LZIp]

OK, why not mention that the Zips won, 1-0, and explain a little more about the "atmosphere?"

I did mention that the Zips won. Seen a decent amount of empty space in the bleachers. The ZI....PS that they do between the bleachers and student section was weak, even pathetic. The overall student section was 'meh'. Sure you have the diehard rowdies right behind the net, but everyone else was quiet for the most part.

By far the poorest atmosphere for a big game I have been a part of, and I've been to many games. Once again, especially since it was against OSU, you know..our biggest soccer "rival".

And to make it clear, im not criticizing the rowdies, but the student body in general.

[Buckzip]

I did mention that the Zips won. Seen a decent amount of empty space in the bleachers. The ZI....PS that they do between the bleachers and student section was weak, even pathetic. The overall student section was 'meh'. Sure you have the diehard rowdies right behind the net, but everyone else was quiet for the most part.

By far the poorest atmosphere for a big game I have been a part of, and I've been to many games. Once again, especially since it was against OSU, you know..our biggest soccer "rival".

And to make it clear, im not criticizing the rowdies, but the student body in general.

Do you think some have lost interest after Porter left and the 2 early losses?

[yazan07]

OSU is definitely one of, if not our biggest soccer rival, I think most Akron soccer fans would agree on that. And make no mistake that it is partially do to being constantly depicted as an inferior school in Ohio. Why wouldn't it mean an extra something to be able to hand it to the school that is viewed by many as a superior athletic university?

As for the game atmosphere, I think there has been a drop off in that area. Anyone have any ideas to improve that? To get students more engaged? Seems like people have lost interest. Attendance is still good but involvement isn't great. If this needs a new topic, someone can start one.

[Buckzip]

OSU is definitely one of, if not our biggest soccer rival, I think most Akron soccer fans would agree on that. And make no mistake that it is partially do to being constantly depicted as an inferior school in Ohio. Why wouldn't it mean an extra something to be able to hand it to the school that is viewed by many as a superior athletic university?

As for the game atmosphere, I think there has been a drop off in that area. Anyone have any ideas to improve that? To get students more engaged? Seems like people have lost interest. Attendance is still good but involvement isn't great. If this needs a new topic, someone can start one.

I absolutely agree that it is great to hand it to them in soccer. Some people go waaaaayyy beyond that. I already said how much I love to rub it in when we beat them in soccer(which is always) I'd do the same in basketball.

Rivals need to be 2 sided. As much as UA values soccer, Sadly OSU fans don't really care. Plus they have a pro team down there too. There are virtually no threads on soccer there. And before the front runner talk comes out I remember a few years ago when OSU was in the tourney and someone brought it up there were a bunch of who cares, and very limited posts.

When UA played scUM, there were multiple page threads, at least 3 I can remember, cheering on UA and saying how great UA looked. And before the obsessive say it's because of scUM, they also had them for Tennesse last year and for other big time opponenets in the past. Most OSU fans root for all Ohio teams. I said most, not all.

Sure they have their share of moronic fans. Every fan base does. And when you live locally, you see more than your share of them. I bet E. Michigan fans think MSU fans are all jerks. Okie State and OU the same about the others. Cal fans about USC.

I bet UCF fans think all UF fans are jerks, and Texas Tech think all Texas fans are jerks. I could go on and on but the obsessive will just say it's excuses. LOL. I could go on and on, but it falls on deaf ears here.

There were also mutiple threads about UA being so good in bball.

We have more threads on them than we do all other teams combined.

It seems we can't have a thread without bringing them up.

I saw the thread in the smack talk forum and didn't say anything because that is the right forum if you have to do it. I did laugh a lot when I read it because there are many that are clueless and just hateful.

Look at the BGSU or any other football thread. It talks football and is respectful without all the personal attacks.

If you can't see the difference, I don't know what to tell you.

Like I said before, to some on here it's like Pavlov and his dogs.

Some day I would love to have an open and civil conversation about college sports in Ohio. However, I know there are too many 3rd graders here that couldn't handle that. There are some fabulous posters here that understand things. Then there are the haters.

I'm done with this thread now as I have already wasted enough time. Obsessive people will be obsessive.

Pavolv is ringing the bell now skip.

[ZipsBurgh]

Great win. That's 7 straight games with a victory (one tie) against OSWho. And some rough play and a couple of skirmishes, which continues the tradition of the folks from the holy Cowlumbus State hating the idea of losing to the "inferior" University of Akron.

But, I did notice the attendance. A perfect night drawing 3,300 when a September weekday game against the Suckeyes has drawn as much at 7,000 plus in recent years?

If I remember correctly the record for attendance is just under 6,000. It was against Ohio State, but it was 2011 and we were coming off of a National Championship, ranked 4th in the country, and often scoring goals in bunches. So there were more variables there than it just being a weekday against OSU. I still wish there would've been more people there, though.

[fknbuflobo]

OSU is definitely one of, if not our biggest soccer rival, I think most Akron soccer fans would agree on that. And make no mistake that it is partially do to being constantly depicted as an inferior school in Ohio. Why wouldn't it mean an extra something to be able to hand it to the school that is viewed by many as a superior athletic university?

As for the game atmosphere, I think there has been a drop off in that area. Anyone have any ideas to improve that? To get students more engaged? Seems like people have lost interest. Attendance is still good but involvement isn't great. If this needs a new topic, someone can start one.

Observations on the atmosphere:

1. The home loss, in our tournament, to VCU really hurt the season and hurt the program. Fans do not perceive the Zips as a legit contender.

2. An irreplaceable and extraordinarily charismatic leader is gone. Duh.

3. Fans have accurately discovered that the bleachers are the only good seats. There are no good seats in FE/CC that do not require season tix. There are a few choice standing places for General Admission, but no good GA seats. This hurts the program in the long view. They need to expand the bleachers on either side and open it to GA. More would attend if they could get a decent seat.

[fknbuflobo]

Does there exist a transcript of the HT Wil Trapp interview?

[skip-zip]

If I remember correctly the record for attendance is just under 6,000. It was against Ohio State, but it was 2011 and we were coming off of a National Championship, ranked 4th in the country, and often scoring goals in bunches. So there were more variables there than it just being a weekday against OSU. I still wish there would've been more people there, though.

I wasn't sure of the number either, but you were closer than me. It was 5,800 for that Sept. 2011 game against the OSUcks.

Still, a little disappointing for me if the enthusiasm has dropped to half of the level that it was for a similar game two years ago. I never hoped to be right about this, but I really think that the "non-soccer Zips sports fans" who were willing to taste the success and experience something different are starting to drift away again. It may take long winning streaks and #1 rankings to bring them back in those kinds of numbers again in the future.

[GoZips]

An observation by an ancient, er, old timer: The team lacks that dominate "killer" instinct so prevalent in the past.

In previous years the players fed off of coach Porter's enthusiasm. Not happening these days. The players appear to be going

through the motions rather than the tear their heads off approach of the Porter era. The game against Ohio State was still

very much in doubt with more than five minutes to play Should have been four-nil at that point. This year's OSU team is down;

and the Zips played without fervor. Basically, Akron looked bad against a bad State team.

It is difficult, if not impossible, for fans to get excited when the players on the field act like its all meaningless. The players

rarely attack or move the ball with precise strikes to a fellow Zip. Way too many passes intercepted. Death by a thousand

passes looks more like kick the ball a few times and yield the ball to the opponent. There is NO fervor; no lust to win.

The keep made what is generally referred to as "the dumbest play" in soccer late in the game. With the bulk of players on both

sides bunched up deep he kicked the ball into the gathered pack. The very same play that David Meeves chucked that cost

an Akron victory in Cowlumbus. You tap the ball to a defender and have him bring the ball up field. You do NOT ever give

your opponent the opportunity to counter.

IMO, Embick best keep his resume current. Not impressed.

[fknbuflobo]

An observation by an ancient, er, old timer: The team lacks that dominate "killer" instinct so prevalent in the past.

In previous years the players fed off of coach Porter's enthusiasm. Not happening these days. The players appear to be going

through the motions rather than the tear their heads off approach of the Porter era. The game against Ohio State was still

very much in doubt with more than five minutes to play Should have been four-nil at that point. This year's OSU team is down;

and the Zips played without fervor. Basically, Akron looked bad against a bad State team.

It is difficult, if not impossible, for fans to get excited when the players on the field act like its all meaningless. The players

rarely attack or move the ball with precise strikes to a fellow Zip. Way too many passes intercepted. Death by a thousand

passes looks more like kick the ball a few times and yield the ball to the opponent. There is NO fervor; no lust to win.The keep made what is generally referred to as "the dumbest play" in soccer late in the game. With the bulk of players on both

sides bunched up deep he kicked the ball into the gathered pack. The very same play that David Meeves chucked that cost

an Akron victory in Cowlumbus. You tap the ball to a defender and have him bring the ball up field. You do NOT ever give

your opponent the opportunity to counter.

IMO, Embick best keep his resume current. Not impressed.

Very well said.

[ZachTheZip]

This game served as a wake-up call. I can tell you that the players, especially the upperclassmen, are very angry about how the team played. They were visibly agitated after the game.

[fknbuflobo]

This game served as a wake-up call. I can tell you that the players, especially the upperclassmen, are very angry about how the team played. They were visibly agitated after the game.

Do you have any more information on who spoke and what they said at the "I believe" chant? I arrived late.

[Z.I.P.]

This game served as a wake-up call. I can tell you that the players, especially the upperclassmen, are very angry about how the team played. They were visibly agitated after the game.

It's a bit saddening to read that people right here on our own ZN BB are losing faith with the program -- especially this short into the span of a new leader. For Pete's sake, there are only about a half-dozen teams in the nation with more wins than Akron. Don't give up on our team now!

[UAZipster0305]

All good points by others. I was at both the VCU and OSU games. Here's my take:

1) GA tickets for VCU were $10 but they were $15 for OSU. Don't be surprised if this difference in ticket price contributed (in part) to a lower attendance figure than prior OSU games. Operating on a supply-demand curve to maximize revenue is good business but terrible for building or maintaining a fan base, especially during a transition period.

2) The enthusiasm of the crowd reflected the excitement of the play on the field. The Zips started off strong with possession and chances on goal throughout the first half (except a ten minute stretch near halftime that OSU dominated), and the crowd was vocal and involved. The second half was completely different. The Zips were content to have possession by moving the ball across the back four, into the center midfielders, then back again. It is what every American non-soccer fan uses as an excuse to bash soccer. It was lethargic, boring, and not purposeful. Other than one particular chance on goal by the Zips and warding off the OSU attack at the end, the crowd was dead and rightfully so.

3) At times, the Zips and OSU played soccer like two basketball teams: content with setting up the half court offense. OSU did not have the talent to possess the ball for long stretches and often could not get the offense set up, but they had no opportunities for or interest in counter-attacking. OSU wanted a magical goal like VCU got. The Zips on the other hand had several opportunities to counter-attack and were either hesitant or uninterested and content with the 1-0 score. There was lots of possession play in our offensive half and especially on the perimeter away from goal. Let's hope this type of play does not continue because a shot clock would ruin the game of soccer.

4) The possession was not effective as what we are typically used to because the team's shape was poor (especially in the second half) and the passing was relatively short and often imprecise. Good player spacing and intermittent, accurate longer balls open up the field for attacking runs. Longer balls and attacking runs were non-existent. Passes were short and in tight space resulting in few or no lanes to shoot and often, loss of possession.

5) This was not the exciting purposeful, attacking, possession soccer that Porter branded. At times, the possession was there, but this team expects to walk the ball into the goal. The only stretch where there was some hungry attacking, OSU were chasing the ball and very disorganized. We scored. However, that type of play only accounted for 1 of 4 halves that I have seen. I am still very much a supporter, but if Embick cannot maintain Porter's style, why is he here? Embick does not have to be Porter in character or personality, but he was hired to maintain the style and quality of play. So far, it is not there.

6) Brenes does not have the attacking drive of Zakuani, Bunbury, or Mattocks. Though he is a respectable goal scorer, Brenes does not have the pace to stretch the defense and does not make the slashing runs that the others did. He does not look to score every time he touches the ball like a determined striker does. Instead, he is often content playing the team game by making passes to assist teammates. In this sense, he plays more like Nagbe. Both have the potential to assist as often as they score; however, Brenes does not have a goal scoring partner. Scottie Pippen with no Michael Jordan.

6) The positive: we won and have a respectable record along with significant clout in the national polls. We have done this without several starters due to injury. Also, except the lack of a go-to goal scorer, all the issues are correctable with coaching and practice. AND there is not a clearly superior team(s) in the country this year. Indiana won the National Championship last year with a lack-luster record and regular season. The team needs to keep this in mind. The overall talent is there.

7) Prediction: Without improvement, we get beat in a few more crucial games by a team content with packing it in defensively and getting a break as VCU did. (The upcoming game at WVU is going to be tough.) OR the team stays healthy with Brenes carrying the goal scoring burden but a few of the midfielders sporadically pick up some of the slack and the Zips again win the MAC regular season, MACC, and a game or two in the NCAA Tournament.

[UAZipster0305]

It's a bit saddening to read that people right here on our own ZN BB are losing faith with the program -- especially this short into the span of a new leader. For Pete's sake, there are only about a half-dozen teams in the nation with more wins than Akron. Don't give up on our team now!

Respectfully, Z.I.P., I do not think you have seen this team play. Embick was hired to continue Porter's attacking, possession style of soccer. Even with the continuity and talent, it is not there (especially the attacking part). See my above post.

I will continue to support the team and Embick, but as a fan, I believe I am being fairly objective in my assessment. To sell recruits, fans, and administration on the new regime, the play on the field MUST improve.

[fknbuflobo]

It's a bit saddening to read that people right here on our own ZN BB are losing faith with the program -- especially this short into the span of a new leader. For Pete's sake, there are only about a half-dozen teams in the nation with more wins than Akron. Don't give up on our team now!

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."