The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Soccer Season Preview: Part Three
August 24 | Men's Soccer
With the season opener less than a week away, GoZips.com is breaking down the roster of the 2011 University of Akron men's soccer team – position-by-position – in a three-part series. After looking at the Defenders and Goalkeepers Monday and the Midfielders Tuesday, the forwards have the floor today. The Zips will officially kick off the 2011 campaign this Saturday, Aug. 27, at 7:30 p.m. when Cleveland State pays visit to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
FORWARDS
If recent history is any indication, the Zips' striker position may be the most prestigious on the team after having produced a Hermann Trophy finalist in each of the past three seasons and consecutive winners in the last two.
After Steve Zakuani opened the door in 2008 with a runner-up finish, Teal Bunbury and Darlington Nagbe went back-to-back to further establish Akron's image as a national soccer powerhouse.
Returning striker Darren Mattocks will be looking to continue that trend after being named to Freshman All-American teams by numerous national publications and winning the Mid-American Conference's Newcomer of the Year award. He was also recently named to Soccer America's 2011 Preseason All-America Team.
"Darren is going to be our key guy, the one who spearheads us," said UA head coach Caleb Porter. "He was our leading scorer last year with 18 goals as a freshman. He returns as – without question – one of the most lethal strikers in the country."
Mattocks, a native of Portmore, Jamaica, was the second-highest scoring freshman in the nation and started all but one contest a year ago. Six of his goals were game-winners, including decisive blows against Indiana in the Round of 16 and Buffalo in the MAC semifinals.
Depending on UA's shape, Porter may utilize two or three strikers at once this season with a number of qualified candidates ready to answer the call.
Options up top include freshmen Akeil Barrett, junior Thomas Schmitt, who appeared in 15 games last season, Eric Stevenson, Zac Portillos and possibly Luke Holmes.
"Akeil is a very skillful, creative player, who can break the game open at any given moment," Porter said. "He's got electric pace and brings penetration that is very important. We have a lot of players who are good technical playmakers, but Akeil is a guy who can open the game up."
Schmitt, who can play up top, wide or attacking mid, scored his first career goal in UA's 7-1 rout of Michigan during the regular season.
"Tommy has a knack for scoring goals and is very good around the box," Porter said. "He is proving to be more and more consistent as the years go on and he should factor into a major role this fall either as a starter or off the bench."
Aside from Mattocks, there may be more questions than answers at the forward position to start the season. But it's a good problem to have given the amount of talent up top.
"There are a lot of options but this position – perhaps more than any of the others – will take time to figure out which players will start and which will come off the bench," Porter said. "It may change from week to week until we settle on a set lineup that we're happy with.
"The nice thing is, we have quite a bit of diversity with each player and what they bring to the table. Ultimately, it will all come down to the system we use and what we need in each game and then from there, we have to figure out what pieces fit together best. The chemistry of the overall group will determine a lot in our individual selections on personnel."
2011 University of Akron Men's Soccer Season Preview
Part One: Defenders and Goalkeepers
Part Two: Midfielders
