The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Soccer Blog: 2010 Recruits Capturing Headlines
May 14 | Men's Soccer
University of Akron men's soccer coach Caleb Porter, the 2009
NSCAA Coach of the Year, and his staff have prided themselves in
bringing the top talent in the country to campus since arriving in
2006.
Under Porter's direction, the Zips have reeled in top-5 recruiting
classes in each of the last three years - including the No. 1 group
in 2009, and this year's class looks to be no different.
College Soccer News recently gave its review on its web
site.
"Caleb Porter can recruit. The
Zips have once again added a top notch seven member recruiting
class that looks to be among the best in the country ... If ever
there was a school on the rise nationally, it's Akron. Porter has
taken an already rich Akron program to a higher level and it didn't
take long for his system to catch on. Since becoming the head coach
at Akron in 2006, the Zips are 68-12-8 overall with a record of
20-1-1 in Mid-American Conference play. Porter's preparation for
opponents, his passion for the game and his player's willingness to
buy into his system of play have gone over big in Akron."
The entire article can be found on CollegeSoccerNews.com.
Zakuani Reflects on His Time At UA
In other news, Major League Soccer star Steve Zakuani, a former
blue chip recruit of Porter in 2007, spoke fondly of his time at
Akron in a fascinating feature story on PitchInvasion.net.
"When I asked him about going to school at Akron, Zakuani lit
up: 'Ah, I loved it. Just loved it. ...obviously I took the Gen Ed
classes but I also took classes on the black experience, Africans,
Americans, government, and it opened up my mind. As much as I loved
training at Akron, I loved my classes just as much. I loved it...
the teachers make you think. You don't agree with everything, but
you learn about everything. That was awesome.'
Zakuani also thrived in the Akron soccer program, an
environment that allowed him to reestablish his ability and
reinforce his sense of purpose: 'After my freshman year in July and
August 2008 I went and trained with Preston in the Championship in
England and I did well. They wanted to sign me. But before I left
Caleb [Porter, the Akron head coach] made me promise I'd come back
for my sophomore year. And I didn't want to break my word. So I
came back for my sophomore year, had a very good year, Major League
Soccer got involved and Preston was still there. The offers were
almost identical, though there was more immediate growth in the
Preston offer if I did well. But then what swayed it was the MLS
thing of going back to school, finishing....just the idea that in
the professional contract you can have something that helps you go
back to school, I said this is perfect.'"
The entire article can be found on PitchInvation.net.
Gavin Nets Milestone
A more recent Zip standout, Blair Gavin, who was a junior
team captain during UA's record-breaking season last fall, was also
in the news. Shortly after former running mate Teal
Bunbury scored his first MLS goal for the Kansas City Wizards,
Gavin followed suit with a late goal in Chivas USA's win over New
England earlier this month.
A game recap and video highlights can be found on CDChivasUSA.com.
See Gavin and Zemanski on the Pitch Again
While UA fans will surely miss watching the combination of Gavin
and Ben Zemanski in midfield at
Lee Jackson Field next fall, they could have the opportunity to see
them again at Columbus Crew Stadium Saturday, May 15, when Chivas
USA plays at the Columbus Crew.
A preview of the match-up and ticket information can be found on TheCrew.com.
Bush Leads Team to Upset
Another former UA star, Evan Bush made four saves -
all in the second half - to lead Crystal Palace Baltimore to an
upset over the previously unbeaten Portland Timbers this week.
Baltimore, which competes in the United States Soccer Federation
D-2 Pro League, edged Portland 1-0 in front of 8,817 fans at PGE
Park.
A complete recap can be found on PalaceBaltimore.com.
