Z.I.P. Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Greg Oden and Mike Conley. OJ Mayo and Bill Walker.Imagine if Akron signed a pair of HS players of this dimension.They have. Their names are Tony Ampai and Blair Gavin.Zips soccer turned the corner on Wednesday, as second-year head coach Caleb Porter reeled home two leading members of United States Youth Soccer. US National U-18 midfielder Blair Gavin, formerly of Sereno Golden Eagles (saw him play in U-15 in the 2003 Region IV tournament I believe), a starter on the U-18 squad, though I believe he's eligible to play for the US in the U-17 World Cup this summer in South Korea; and Tony Ampaipitakwong, US -17 National Team midfielder, who I believe came up through the Dallas Texans Red Club, whose director is now assistant coach at Akron. Tony and Blair are teammates at the US Youth Residency Program at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida and with Bradenton Academics in the USL's Pro Development League. These are two names that soccer people across the US are more than familiar with -- they could be integral parts of future US senior national teams and MLS or international club play.Also signed to a letter of intent is English junior prospect Steven Zakuani, brother of English Premier League Fulham FC's Gabriel Zakuani. Their father Mao Zakuani is a well-known Congolese refugee organizer in London.And -- a blast from the now: Akron wins the battle for Georgie Nanchoff's offspring, from Walsh Jesuit. I really want to come back, and relive the old days when I would sit in the bleachers with Georgie and Louie, and the Hungarian mafia, listening to the Browns' games while we played great teams like Yeagley's hated Hoo-deys. Now Yeagley's only two-time Captain is our coach, and its a new day for Zip soccer.One other way of looking at this is that this is the kind of class that Ken Lolla used to see teams like IU bring in, and wish he could get his hands on players "like that". We Got 'em, baby! Bring on the best of college soccer. The only problem will be the same one OHo State has -- how long can they hold onto these kind of players before they are gone to European professional play, ala Caleb's last great recruit at Indiana, National Freshman of the Year Lee Nguyen, or Real Salt Lake's Nik Basagno. They may also spend time away from the UA in international play, such as this year's U-17 World Cup. Nonetheless, fun is on the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalapeño Zippy Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Great Post! Thanks for the information! It is good to see that there is no drop off and that the soccer team will have the talent to match the successes of Ken Lolla's clan of merry men!Great Job Caleb and Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZipster0305 Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 This is huge! I really like our chances to win a National Championship in two years when Evan Bush is a senior. I really see him playing in the MLS too...he has it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w00t Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 This is an amazing haul. Looks like we made the right coaching choice. Any player who has been a part of the National Team residency program is absolutely, positively top-notch, the best of the best... and we got two of them in one class. September can't come soon enough!GK - Bush, LaGuardia, CraneD - Augustin, Michaelson, Sipos, Tipton, McKenney, Gaustad, SandovalMF - Gavin, Ampaipitakwong, Tutich, Kalan, Bradbrook, Zemanski, Nanchoff, Ilic, HenkleF - Moreira, Zakuani, Nyheim, Erlichman, OstergrenWhat a squad, I hope we get to play Louisville. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valpo Zip Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Yesterday, during the Bball game, coach porter came to the rowdies seats (south-end) and Chad Welker (one of the Rowdies leaders), introduced him and said that he had something to say.Coach Porter, praised the great job we were doing for the bball team and said that he needs us to do the same during the soccer season to support the zips soccer team. He said that he would do whatever it takes (pizza, wings, etc...) to have this group (rowdies) on the soccer bleachers come august.Very classy individual and showed that he really cares about his team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 I never got into been a soccer fan at any level, but I believe this program deserves our support. I am going to try to do just that. Who knows, maybe I'll become a big fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gozips19 Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 this is an amazing class! but like some have already posted. hope they all stay for 4 years and not jump to the pros. seriously, this should be the best class akron has ever had for any sport! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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