In fairness, nobody in modern history has recruited like Porter did. This fall, Embick will have one of the best senior classes in the nation, complemented by several underclassmen who have youth national team experience. It's an incredible opportunity for a rookie coach, and he needs to hit the ground running. Excellent performances on the field would do a lot to help keep Akron on the map.
Porter always looked abroad. His many international recruiting trips are well documented. For whatever reason, he did not land many international recruits. Notable Porter international recruits were Steve Zakuani and Darren Mattocks, both great collegiate players. There are lesser lights as well. In and of itself, Embick looking abroad is not a bad sign. What percentage of UCONN 2012 roster was of foreign nationality? Of starting 11?
After speaking with a lot of Akron players its clear to me that Porter is not the reason they attended Akron. It's Porter's style. If Embick does as he says he will and keeps the same style, I see no reason why kids would all of a sudden stop wanting to play there.
Thanks for saying as much. I thought you had taken the opposing view beforehand. I sincerely hope Akron’s recent recruiting success is more due to the style the program has been committed to playing than it is to the personal (if undeniable) charisma of an individual. We shall see.
More bad news for you guys................. Ives Galarcep @SoccerByIves As if Colorado's draft haul (Deshorn Brown, Dillon Powers) wasn't good enough, I'm told they've signed Dillon Serna to Homegrown Player deal
We have known for quite some time Dillon was signing with Colorado. It was just a matter of when Colorado will announce it. Dillon should have stuck it out one more year though. I don't think he's ready. Colorado has been shedding players the entire offseason, so hopefully Dillon will get some playing time.
Tyler Sanda out of St. Ignatius HS (Cleveland) officially committed to the University of Akron today. Tyler Sanda - US Development Profile
With 5 HG signings (+ Meves), it is difficult to see the 2012 season as anything but an unmitigated disaster. What an underachievement! http://gozips.com/sports/msoc/2012-13/releases/20121220jhjpyi
Seriously! In a candid moment, I am certain CP would agree with me. With the power invested in me (none) I hereby banish Caleb Porter from the Zips sideline for at least three years.
They still have some good players who didn't see any time last year. I'm surprised TFC and Canada youth national team player Omari Morris didn't see any time, he's quite good.
We saw him about 10 minutes during pre-season. That was it. He shined a bit in practice though. Very very quick. He will definitely get a chance. With at least 6 starters departing, there is PT to be had.
Having several Academic All-Americans, receiving no athletic scholarship whatsover, really helps spread the athletic monies further.
I didn't see it mentioned anywhere, but Hiram College head coach Carl Capellas was hired as an assistant at Akron.
My understading, from a recent student athlete at Akron, was that if ANY Student athlete acheived a 3.0,( I think he said), GPA he was given basically full tuition..... Any info on that?
3.0 would be below the team average. I think 2012 was 3.4, even higher in the past. Barson, Brenes, Caldwell, and Meves were Academic All-American in 2012, most likely on full (I do not know) academic scholarship. That would free resources for athletic scholarships elsewhere. Each year under Porter, very good soccer players without academic chops have been turned away. I am quite proud that this program is comprised of student-athletes.
How many of those "student-athletes" have left early? That really defeats the purpose of being a "student-athlete" then. A true "student-athlete" would go and get their degree before leaving.