soccer coaches pre season rankings

[TennZip]

http://unitedsoccercoaches.org/web/Rankings/College_Rankings/NCAA_DI_MEN/web/Rankings/NCAA/DI_MEN.aspx

[72 Roo]

We've got a top ten team again. I'm content with this ranking for now. In fact, I like it. I want this year's version of Zip soccer to be hungry and fight for everything they want. We have the season to show what we've got. I believe the boys will do just that. See you at First Energy for the 1:00 game vs Penn State on August 16. That will be a good glimpse of what we have. C'mon boys, let's return to the top! 

[TennZip]

The zips ended last year #24 in the rankings and they lost in the round of 32 of the NCAA tourney.

That team lost Jonathan Lewis....the #3 or #4 player drafted to MLS.  That team also lost the MAC player of the year Adam Najem as well as the 2 center DB's that started on the 2015 ncaa semi team.    I was also an enormous fan of the potential of Jesus Perez and was sad to see "Chino" transfer out.

   top Drawer soccer is never perfect when they try to rank recruiting classes. They had the recruiting class at #19 before a very highly ranked recruit (Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal) decided to go pro.

   To go from 24 last year....to #16 pre-season is probably a nod to Akron's storied history.  Honestly, I was not expecting to see the zips ranked that high.   Pre-season rankings are just that.... pre-season.  The games have to be played on the field.  SIU-Edwardsville is now in the MAC.  SIU-E made it to the NCAA round of 16 last year and they return 7 of their 11 starters.  They ended last year at #20 but they are nowhere to be found in the pre season rankings.  I am sure their coach is using that for motivation and already has their October 13th game at Akron circled on their calendar.

 

As I have said in other topics, last year's team did not have a healthy Stuart Holthusen.  Like many others on this board, I think that Stuart Holthusen can do great things when he is healthy.   This team will score goals.    I am excited to see who steps up to fill the positions vacated by Ruhaak and Danilo.   Let the practices and games begin.

[ZipsVoice]

Another reason I was surprised to see us at  a top ten position is the fact that the MAC is really going to weigh us down, as usual, except for SIU now.  But pre-season rankings, in my opinion, doesn't take into account the upcoming schedules, just a listing of teams' strengths and weaknesses.  Coaches polls and some of the reliable periodicals during regular season should give us a better snapshot of how good the Zips might be.  Of course we all know the SOS plays a huge role in the NCAA selection process and seeding, so we're basically screwed there, and we must, once again, win the MAC to proceed to the tourneys....I'm starting to think Reggie L might become a solid defender, if he can handle the minutes from a fitness standpoint.  

 

Got a flyer for the Cigars and Cognacs Experience host by MSOC on August 19th....anyone going?  Anyone gone in the past?

Edited August 4, 2017 by ZipsVoice
spelling

[TennZip]

2 hours ago, ZipsVoice said:

Another reason I was surprised to see us at  a top ten position is the fact that the MAC is really going to weigh us down, as usual, except for SIU now.  But pre-season rankings, in my opinion, doesn't take into account the upcoming schedules, just a listing of teams' strengths and weaknesses.  Coaches polls and some of the reliable periodicals during regular season should give us a better snapshot of how good the Zips might be.  Of course we all know the SOS plays a huge role in the NCAA selection process and seeding, so we're basically screwed there, and we must, once again, win the MAC to proceed to the tourneys....I'm starting to think Reggie L might become a solid defender, if he can handle the minutes from a fitness standpoint.  

 

 

Richie Laryea improved so much from his freshman to sophomore years.  Would be super for the zips if Reggie showed the same improvement.

     This initial ranking is the soccer coaches poll.       The other polls...top drawer soccer and college soccer news....are typically done by reporters.

 

To go from season ending 24 to pre-season 16.....while losing 4 kids playing pro soccer (Lewis, Najem, Ruhaak and Radjen)......says that the coaches voted the zips very high... 1) based on prior years....or 2) the coaches think that recruits like David Egbo, Faisal Ghaffur, DeClan Watters Daniel Strachan, and others are going to contribute tremendously in their first year.   Denver is ranked preseason #3 in the country and was in the final four last year.  The first weekend will be a stern test.

[TennZip]

did not want to create a separate topic

Sam Gainford....one of 31 players selected....to pre season watch list

 

http://www.gozips.com/news/2017/8/8/mens-soccer-gainford-named-to-mac-hermann-trophy-watch-list-for-2017.aspx