Marcel Zajac is not the speediest, but his anticipation and tactical awareness are superb. He also possesses top shelf technical ability, doing things with the ball that most collegiate players do not even attempt. I would strike a comparison with Sam Gainford. MLS has historically placed too much emphasis on athleticism. So, I am not too sure Marcel would fit every MLS squad. But the MLS is evolving. We shall see. Regardless of how the Zips do this weekend, I believe Marcel should play out his fourth year of eligibility. Akron is a good place to polish one's game while getting a degree. Generation Adidas is a offer no one can refuse. Short of that, Marcel should stay at Akron. There is no doubting that Zajac is in top form right now. Zips fans hope he stays on this hot streak for a while longer. I would be remiss if failing to mention that Marcel Zajac appears a swell kid.
Told the wife as soon as I saw 3 in the wall that Skye was gonna make it interesting. What a poor decision.
Like left-handed tennis players (and bowlers, so I have heard) left-footed kickers have an advantage. They still give keepers problems at the D1 college level. My left-footed son scored at least three goals that I can recall because the keeper jumped the wrong way, or expected the ball to be wide of the post but bent in late.
My first son is a righty, my second a lefty. I taught them both to use both feet, but they were still stronger with their natural stroke.
Congratulations Maryland Terrapins! 2018 NCAA National Champions! The better team won tonight, which is not always the case in this sport. I would still much rather win undeservedly than to lose while deserving victory. Let's be clear on that point. But Terps were the better side, if not by much. The most important tactic on the night is how Maryland anticipated Akron's passing lanes so uncannily in the middle third. They successfully clogged our possession game. I guess that should be attributed to Coach Sasho Cirovski, who has seen a thing or two in NCAA Soccer. Both PKs awarded were good calls. Colin Biros needs to run through that ball, carrying it on his chest out of the box. Ben Lundt needs to get his hands on that ball as he goes to ground, not try to play it with his feet. Tough breaks, but fair calls. I would argue with the straight red card to Carlo Ritaccio. It was definitely a foul. No doubt the referee's interpretation is that the offensive player had a clear path to goal, and that Ritaccio was last line of defense. That is how the rule reads. I have not the heart to quote chapter and verse right now. Somebody else look it up in the NCAA rule book. I think Ritaccio just as easily could have instead received a yellow card there. I am tremendously proud of our Staff and of our Players. No one in this program should hang their head for more than 24 hours. Spring ball will be here sooner than we think. And 2019 may be an even better season. Go Zips!
Nope! THIS is true, but he was very, very hard done by. The Maryland player stuck his face in as much as anything, and went down very easily. Also, anywhere else on the field, that's an indirect. I don't know why that changes in that location. I actually don't know. That was an awful decision by Lundt. Yep. Way, way too hasty to go to the back pocket. Hernandez was closing, and the foul occurred with plenty for the offensive player to do if he goes unmolested, as it was 24 yards from goal. Yep. Hope most of that defensive core stays.
Jesus... I had no idea. I stood next to his parents by sheer chance when he scored those two against Canisius. To say they were proud is the understatement of the year. There was a substitute PA announcer for that game, and the guy butchered the crap out of Diogo's name, especially the family name. They just laughed it off. I was embarrassed on behalf of the announcer, who uttered noises that were nowhere close to his name.