Ohio State Buckeyes

[Dave in Green]

In Coach Embick's defense, he has a tough act to follow. So far his first team as head coach is not performing at the level of his predecessor's teams. But they're still playing at a top 20 level as he plays through his rookie head coach learning experience. The important thing to look for now is progress. Will the coach and players learn from what's not going right and start getting it right? It appears this season in college soccer that many annual power programs -- even those that didn't have a head coaching change -- are having uncharacteristic performance problems. This could be one of those seasons when there are lots of surprises in college soccer. I hope that one of the big surprises is that Coach Embick turns out to be a great December coach.

[UAZipster0305]

In Coach Embick's defense, he has a tough act to follow. So far his first team as head coach is not performing at the level of his predecessor's teams. But they're still playing at a top 20 level as he plays through his rookie head coach learning experience. The important thing to look for now is progress. Will the coach and players learn from what's not going right and start getting it right? It appears this season in college soccer that many annual power programs -- even those that didn't have a head coaching change -- are having uncharacteristic performance problems. This could be one of those seasons when there are lots of surprises in college soccer. I hope that one of the big surprises is that Coach Embick turns out to be a great December coach.

Here, here

[ZipsBurgh]

Let's not forget that when Porter took over in 2006 we didn't even make the NCAA Tournament. I realize that he didn't have a team of his recruits yet and he brought a different philosophy to the table, but we were still coming off of an NCAA Quarterfinals appearance in 2005. I think it is far too early to say Embick should have his resume ready. We aren't even halfway through his first season. It's not uncommon to have some growing pains when a coach leaves and another comes in, even if they have similar overall philosophies. The players need to adjust to a new personality leading them and the coaches need to adjust to a new combination of players. We've all been spoiled the last several years, and I think we'll still consider ourselves spoiled several years from now.

Also, replacing leaders like Caldwell/Barson/Meves, a game controller like Trapp, and a game changer like Yedlin is very difficult to do in 8 regular season games.

[fknbuflobo]

Let's not forget that when Porter took over in 2006 we didn't even make the NCAA Tournament. I realize that he didn't have a team of his recruits yet and he brought a different philosophy to the table, but we were still coming off of an NCAA Quarterfinals appearance in 2005. I think it is far too early to say Embick should have his resume ready. We aren't even halfway through his first season. It's not uncommon to have some growing pains when a coach leaves and another comes in, even if they have similar overall philosophies. The players need to adjust to a new personality leading them and the coaches need to adjust to a new combination of players. We've all been spoiled the last several years, and I think we'll still consider ourselves spoiled several years from now.

Also, replacing leaders like Caldwell/Barson/Meves, a game controller like Trapp, and a game changer like Yedlin is very difficult to do in 8 regular season games.

I mean no disrespect, but that is unacceptable hogwash! Your several years of patience could easily turn into never again if we are not careful.

Zips absolutely must AT LEAST make the NCAA Tournament this year! Recruiting depends on it.

Rookie HC Carlos Somoano succeeded legendary Tarheels' coach Elmar Bolowich by promptly winning the 2011 championship.

http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB...TCLID=205497556

[ZipsBurgh]

I mean no disrespect, but that is unacceptable hogwash! Your several years of patience could easily turn into never again if we are not careful.

Zips absolutely must AT LEAST make the NCAA Tournament this year! Recruiting depends on it.

Rookie HC Carlos Somoano succeeded legendary Tarheels' coach Elmar Bolowich by promptly winning the 2011 championship.

http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB...TCLID=205497556

Rereading what I said now I realize that I wasn't clear in what I meant. I didn't mean to say it would take several years of mediocrity to get back to where we want to be. I was trying to say that just because they aren't playing the way we are used to at this very moment, I still believe that we will still feel great about our soccer program after this year, and several years down the road. Overall, I just mean don't rush to judgement on Embick!

I have full confidence in this team, and I truly believe we will make the tourney and have the talent to make a good run at the whole enchilada. People naturally fear change, and it's easy to point the finger at an in-house hiring when the team isn't pummeling teams like the Porter teams of old, but I think that it is just a feeling out process and the team will figure things out as the season goes on. And I can't wait to be there when they do figure it out.

[fknbuflobo]

Rereading what I said now I realize that I wasn't clear in what I meant. I didn't mean to say it would take several years of mediocrity to get back to where we want to be. I was trying to say that just because they aren't playing the way we are used to at this very moment, I still believe that we will still feel great about our soccer program after this year, and several years down the road. Overall, I just mean don't rush to judgement on Embick!

I have full confidence in this team, and I truly believe we will make the tourney and have the talent to make a good run at the whole enchilada. People naturally fear change, and it's easy to point the finger at an in-house hiring when the team isn't pummeling teams like the Porter teams of old, but I think that it is just a feeling out process and the team will figure things out as the season goes on. And I can't wait to be there when they do figure it out.

I am with you! From your mouth to God's ears!

[Ando]

Agree we could use a pacier option up top, though I don't think it has to be at the the no.9 position necessarily

Last year we sometimes had Freddy Koroma playing roughly the "Theo Walcott" position - As high/higher than the main striker, making runs over the top from out wide (Ronaldo is another like this). We don't have anyone this year with Mattocks/Yedlin levels of pace from what I've seen but I wouldn't exactly call our team slow either.

[fknbuflobo]

Agree we could use a pacier option up top, though I don't think it has to be at the the no.9 position necessarily

Last year we sometimes had Freddy Koroma playing roughly the "Theo Walcott" position - As high/higher than the main striker, making runs over the top from out wide (Ronaldo is another like this). We don't have anyone this year with Mattocks/Yedlin levels of pace from what I've seen but I wouldn't exactly call our team slow either.

At SMU, Alfred Koroma is rounding into what we all thought he could become. More is the pity.

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soc...ma/cpid-1002618

I suggest Riley Grant in that role. Dude has wheels.

[bobbyake]

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

If you're going to post in the soccer thread, you should familiarize yourself with Akron soccer. You can't take what you see in OSU fan threads and assume the OSU soccer supporters don't consider us their rival. Akron vs OSU has history in soccer, regardless of our domination. I guarantee OSU players have a chip on their shoulder when they play Akron. Akron is the team they weren't good enough to play for

[fknbuflobo]

If you're going to post in the soccer thread, you should familiarize yourself with Akron soccer. You can't take what you see in OSU fan threads and assume the OSU soccer supporters don't consider us their rival. Akron vs OSU has history in soccer, regardless of our domination. I guarantee OSU players have a chip on their shoulder when they play Akron. Akron is the team they weren't good enough to play for

+1

[Z.I.P.]

Okay, agreed. But we need to increase the strength of whom we call a "rival". Why should we want a rivalry with a team we nearly always have beaten? For a multitude of reasons, going back to Jerry Yeagley's (I hate even writing that guys name!) rookie seeason in (?) 1974, and coming up to the current almost impossible-to-believe rookie championship run of Yeags Jr. I have to tag the Hoo(-the-Heck-are-they-)ssiers of Indiana as our biggest rivals. How the Hell come we don't play them in the regular season this year, anyhow?? Go Zips. I'm backing our team, no matter who is in charge.

[fknbuflobo]

Okay, agreed. But we need to increase the strength of whom we call a "rival". Why should we want a rivalry with a team we nearly always have beaten? For a multitude of reasons, going back to Jerry Yeagley's (I hate even writing that guys name!) rookie seeason in (?) 1974, and coming up to the current almost impossible-to-believe rookie championship run of Yeags Jr. I have to tag the Hoo(-the-Heck-are-they-)ssiers of Indiana as our biggest rivals. How the Hell come we don't play them in the regular season this year, anyhow?? Go Zips. I'm backing our team, no matter who is in charge.

The OSU rivalry wans when they are mediocre. I too would like to play Indiana every year. We owe Hoosiers much more pay back - in soccer.

[Buckzip]

The OSU rivalry wans when they are mediocre. I too would like to play Indiana every year. We owe Hoosiers much more pay back - in soccer.

For something to be a rivalry doesn't it need to be a pretty even matchup?

Akron dominates in soccer.

Just because you or a very small group wants something to be a rivalry doesn't make it one.

[Blue & Gold]

For something to be a rivalry doesn't it need to be a pretty even matchup?

Akron dominates in soccer.

Just because you or a very small group wants something to be a rivalry doesn't make it one.

If this is our standard, then we can't have a rivalry with anyone, as we dominate everyone.

[Buckzip]

If this is our standard, then we can't have a rivalry with anyone, as we dominate everyone.

So, you are saying we are undefeated every year?

I don't understand.

[Balsy]

For something to be a rivalry doesn't it need to be a pretty even matchup?

Akron dominates in soccer.

Just because you or a very small group wants something to be a rivalry doesn't make it one.

That's a pretty terrible standard. OSU has dominated the UM OSU rivalry in football for years now...are they not still rivals?

There are other factors playing into a rivalry game: namely the fans. OSU sends lots of fans up here, we send lots of fans down there. It's the closest thing we have to a rivalry game from a fan perspective.

[Blue & Gold]

So, you are saying we are undefeated every year?

I don't understand.

Of course not undefeated, but who do we play every year whom we do not dominate? Who would our neck-and-neck rival be? We don't have anyone on our annual schedule who consistently beats us.

[fknbuflobo]

For something to be a rivalry doesn't it need to be a pretty even matchup?

Akron dominates in soccer.

Just because you or a very small group wants something to be a rivalry doesn't make it one.

This discussion (obviously) applies strictly to Men’s Soccer.

Don't forget that Buckeyes were runners-up to Wake Forest in 2007. They have fallen are some hard times since then. Even though Akron historically dominates in the W/L record, the match is quite competitive each year, often more competitive than it (on paper) should be. But there is more at stake in this annual derby than mere bragging rights. These two programs are vying for the same recruits, particularly from the two Ohio hotbeds of high school soccer, NEO and Greater CLB.

****Indiana**** is another topic entirely. For those who need to be told, each asterisk represents a championship. We used to play them every year. Now, we play them about every fourth year. Recently, we have got the best of them, though the historical W/L record is lopsided heavily in their favor. Hoosiers are what the Zips aspire to be, perennial contender for the College Cup. And yes, Indiana is vying for many of the same recruits, though probably on a more national than regional level.

These two programs are our greatest MSOC rivals, each for somewhat different reasons. Which is the greater I cannot say. We have a long history with both. I never want to stop playing OSU, be they in a down cycle or not. We should play them every year. I also believe we should renew the annual clash with IU. These enduring rivalries are good for collegiate soccer.

[Buckzip]

Of course not undefeated, but who do we play every year whom we do not dominate? Who would our neck-and-neck rival be? We don't have anyone on our annual schedule who consistently beats us.

Georgia plays Alabama every year in football. Georgia occasionally wins. They are not rivals, other then the same conference

Georgia/Georgia Tech are rivals.

Alabama/Auburn are rivals.

The list is numerous.

I guess if you want to say that any team you play every year is your rival, I can't argue that. I just don't agree with it.

Rivals need to be 2 sided. IMHO. Akron may look at OSU as a rival but it isn't reciprocated for the most part.

That has nothing to do with how Akron is looked at. It has to do more with rivals crossing many sports, not just soccer.

I am looking at this from both sides, you are looking at it from 1 side.

This is one of those times we will agree to disagree.

[Buckzip]

This discussion (obviously) applies strictly to Men’s Soccer.

Don't forget that Buckeyes were runners-up to Wake Forest in 2007. They have fallen are some hard times since then. Even though Akron historically dominates in the W/L record, the match is quite competitive each year, often more competitive than it (on paper) should be. But there is more at stake in this annual derby than mere bragging rights. These two programs are vying for the same recruits, particularly from the two Ohio hotbeds of high school soccer, NEO and Greater CLB.

****Indiana**** is another topic entirely. For those who need to be told, each asterisk represents a championship. We used to play them every year. Now, we play them about every fourth year. Recently, we have got the best of them, though the historical W/L record is lopsided heavily in their favor. Hoosiers are what the Zips aspire to be, perennial contender for the College Cup. And yes, Indiana is vying for many of the same recruits, though probably on a more national than regional level.

These two programs are our greatest MSOC rivals, each for somewhat different reasons. Which is the greater I cannot say. We have a long history with both. I never want to stop playing OSU, be they in a down cycle or not. We should play them every year. I also believe we should renew the annual clash with IU. These enduring rivalries are good for collegiate soccer.

Most OSU fans don't care about soccer. I don't know why, but it's like that at many schools, big and small.

Sure there are soccer diehards, but if you asked most OSU sports fans, students, alum, etc when was the last time that OSU was in the tourney or the NC, or pretty much any soccer question, they wouldn't know.

I am an Akron alum and give money every year to UA. I know absolutely nothing about their diving, tennis, volleyball, etc teams.. I just don't care about those sports. Sure I think it would be cool if UA won NC in those,but I really don't care other than that.

I am a bball and football guy.

[fknbuflobo]

Most OSU fans don't care about soccer. I don't know why, but it's like that at many schools, big and small.

Sure there are soccer diehards, but if you asked most OSU sports fans, students, alum, etc when was the last time that OSU was in the tourney or the NC, or pretty much any soccer question, they wouldn't know.

I am an Akron alum and give money every year to UA. I know absolutely nothing about their diving, tennis, volleyball, etc teams.. I just don't care about those sports. Sure I think it would be cool if UA won NC in those,but I really don't care other than that.

I am a bball and football guy.

I know plenty of folks who care about OSU Soccer and want to see it improve. But you are right. Most OSU sports fans (I know thousands) care as much about soccer as they care about, well, ...about a college education. Buckeyes are an established marketing brand as much as they are anything else. BTW, nothing wrong about that.

I am lucky that my alma mater is nationaly relevant in my favorite sport. Soccer is not my only sport, mind you, it is just my favorite.

The question begs: Why are you here if you do not care? You are certainly welcome, and you have every right to speak your mind, but why do you bother to post here if you do not care about MSOC?

[fknbuflobo]

Of course not undefeated, but who do we play every year whom we do not dominate? Who would our neck-and-neck rival be? We don't have anyone on our annual schedule who consistently beats us.

Right. Renewing an annual clash with Indiana would remedy that situation.

[Buckzip]

I know plenty of folks who care about OSU Soccer and want to see it improve. But you are right. Most OSU sports fans (I know thousands) care as much about soccer as they care about, well, ...about a college education. Buckeyes are an established marketing brand as much as they are anything else. BTW, nothing wrong about that.

I am lucky that my alma mater is nationaly relevant in my favorite sport. Soccer is not my only sport, mind you, it is just my favorite.

The question begs: Why are you here if you do not care? You are certainly welcome, and you have every right to speak your mind, but why do you bother to post here if you do not care about MSOC?

Good question. I care about soccer. I am just not a huge fan other than Akron. I follow college and pro football, college and pro basketball, but only Akron soccer.

I fell in love with Akron soccer when I was a kid and my dad would take me to the Acme-Zip game and the soccer game was played before the football game. We always got good seats because I would beg to get there early to watch the soccer game. LOL.

[fknbuflobo]

Georgia plays Alabama every year in football. Georgia occasionally wins. They are not rivals, other then the same conference

Georgia/Georgia Tech are rivals.

Alabama/Auburn are rivals.

The list is numerous.

I guess if you want to say that any team you play every year is your rival, I can't argue that. I just don't agree with it.

Rivals need to be 2 sided. IMHO. Akron may look at OSU as a rival but it isn't reciprocated for the most part.

That has nothing to do with how Akron is looked at. It has to do more with rivals crossing many sports, not just soccer.

I am looking at this from both sides, you are looking at it from 1 side.

This is one of those times we will agree to disagree.

Real rivalries are NOT about the competitive aspect of the athletic teams. Not really. True rivalries actually concern the competitive nature of the respective fan bases. THAT is how the Browns/Steelers rivalry has endured through the current 15 year slough. God knows it has not been competitive.

Fan bases for collegiate soccer are admittedly small on an objective scale. So, we are speaking only in relative terms. Though the total may be objectively small, every single person who is an OSU Soccer supporter considers Akron a rival. No bout a doubt it.

[fknbuflobo]

Good question. I care about soccer. I am just not a huge fan other than Akron. I follow college and pro football, college and pro basketball, but only Akron soccer.

I fell in love with Akron soccer when I was a kid and my dad would take me to the Acme-Zip game and the soccer game was played before the football game. We always got good seats because I would beg to get there early to watch the soccer game. LOL.

I have very similar memories. In fact, ACME-Zip games at the Rubber Bowl were my (most fortuitous) introduction to Soccer.