TennZip Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/19/how-joao-moutinhos-american-dream-began-love-john-cena ...That early exposure to American culture (including his favorite wrestler, John Cena) honed his language skills and helped plant a seed of fascination with the country that would become his adopted home when the University of Akron came calling after the close of his youth tenure at Sporting CP’s revered academy. Moutinho went to Ohio knowing the Zips program has become a conveyor belt to the professional level over the past decade. “That was something that I was aware of,” he said of Akron’s history of grooming MLS talent, “and something I wanted to do, play [in] MLS … And now, after just one NCAA season in Ohio, he’s about to embark on his pro adventure with one of the splashiest expansion sides in MLS history. ... Asked if it was a long-running dream to make his way in America, Moutinho wagged his head in the affirmative. “Oh yeah, definitely, definitely. It’s the country of opportunity,” said the versatile left-footer. ... Edited January 20, 2018 by Zip_ME87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipsBurgh Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Niko de Vera went to NYRB with the 8th pick of the 2nd round (31 overall). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fknbuflobo Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Niko! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 So happy for Joao and Niko. Such a great day for Akron! Chills, smile, and tears! Love our guys and our program!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) 2018 No. 1 overall selection Historic moments for The University of Akron Zips Men's Soccer! 2009 No. 1 overall selection (Seattle Sounders FC: Steve Zakuani) Edited January 20, 2018 by Zip_ME87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 ABJ: University of Akron defender Joao Moutinho chosen first overall by Los Angeles Football Club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 For those who didn't see the 6 pm local news, you may want to tune into or record WEWS and WKYC broadcasts at 11 pm tonight. They each had a nice piece in their sports segments about Joao being drafted #1 overall and commented how great our program is. Hopefully, they will rerun these stories tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/19/mls-superdraft-grades-rating-winners-losers-busy-day-philly ...LAFC: B Some eyebrows were raised when the expansion newcomers picked two players that will require international roster slots, but Bob Bradley seems unbothered. Getting the best pure soccer player with the No. 1 pick is a smart way to go, not to mention the versatility that Joao Moutinho possesses. Tristan Blackmon comes with an expensive price tag, as they sent $200,000 in allocation money to D.C. United for the No. 3 pick. Pol Calvet Planellas is another quality player that can fill out the roster, despite coming with an international tag. New York Red Bulls: B- In the first round, the Red Bulls went with the obvious pick, selecting RBNY U-23s forward Brian White. While he may not have a clear position in MLS, he will be a well-known commodity to the Red Bull technical staff. Left back Niko de Vera is something of a sleeper, and should be able to contribute to Red Bulls II with an eye on making it to the MLS team sooner rather than later. Forward Tom Barlow is a big body that thrived up front with Orlando City draft pick Chris Mueller. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-lafc-draft-20180119-story.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mls/2018/01/19/mls-los-angeles-fc-drafts-akrons-joao-moutinho-no-1-overall/1050134001/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 ESPN http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3353403/clubs-who-helped-themselves-in-a-frantic-first-day-of-the-mls-superdraft 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennZip Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 Niko begins talking at about 1:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennZip Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 article from a paper in Washington https://www.columbian.com/news/2018/jan/19/camas-graduate-de-vera-drafted-by-mlss-new-york-red-bulls/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 Niko interview begins around the 5:00 minute mark. Question: "Niko, how would you describe your style of play..." Niko DeVera: "I would say I'm more of a football player than a soccer player" [big grin] "You can see I'm not the biggest guy ... but my strengths are probably my mentality, more of a psychological game..." Question: "you surprised at how many players from Akron have been drafted in MLS?" Niko DeVera: "... That's what Akron does. Akron produces a lot of pros. I'm just glad to be on the list." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennZip Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 zip_ME87....great work....on finding all of the great articles... Love seeing Niko's excitement...and quote about Akron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennZip Posted January 20, 2018 Report Share Posted January 20, 2018 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) https://www.lafc.com/post/2018/01/19/2018-mls-superdraft-all-access?autoplay=true At about 1:11 we can see Joao in the background with LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley in the foreground; then we can see the card with Joao's name, and then see Don Garber call out the first pick, + some footage of Joao not seen in the other videos. I can't get enough of this. I'm so proud of our program and our players. Edited January 21, 2018 by Zip_ME87 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) Best wishes to our other Zips' Men's Soccer players looking to be drafted in Rounds 3 and 4 today (starts at 2 pm ET...by teleconference...draft tracker) Clark: A look at the top players remaining in Day 2 of the Superdraft Nate Shultz DF Akron The right back out of Akron struggled against some of the combine’s speedy wide players, and had some moments that likely made scout nervous. If he can come into the a camp to showcase the required defensive ability, he brings plenty to the table going forward and would be a good pick in the later rounds. Any of the Zips remaining on the board – Sam Gainford, Stu Holthusen, Manuel Cordeiro or Pau Belana have shown the quality to get picked at this point in the draft. Edited January 21, 2018 by Zip_ME87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 Selection of Niko, additional Niko interview, and NYRB discussion of Niko starts around 2:45. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennZip Posted January 21, 2018 Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 https://www.onceametro.com/2018/1/20/16913458/2018-mls-draft-new-york-red-bulls-select-niko-de-vera-with-31st-overall-pick-akron-portland-u-23 I don't think that we have seen this article yet... red bull newspaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted January 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) Congratulations to Nate Shultz drafted by the LA Galaxy at #48 overall (#2 in the 3rd round) today. https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2018/tracker?round=3&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=news&utm_campaign=unpaid Edited January 21, 2018 by Zip_ME87 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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