And the hyper-focused and gratuitous analysis of MLS prospect Joao Moutinho continues. In Zips Nation it is what we do. Apparently, others do as well. Stock Down Joao Moutinho - Could very well still be the No. 1 pick at the Superdraft, but this was not a good day for the Portuguese defender. The question mark around Moutinho, who is a technical player with a high soccer IQ, is his position at the next level. After playing center back at Akron, he has said he believes left back is his true position. Given the chance to play there on Monday, he didn’t look fully comfortable either going forward or defending out wide. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/16/mls-combine-day-2-whose-superdraft-stock-rose-and-fell
Definitely a talented kid that will do very well as a pro. A lot of coaches see him as a left back, but I just don't see it. (they obviously know better than I do) I would prefer him somewhere in the middle of the park pulling the strings in possession than out wide where wings will be running at him and be limited in possession. I look forward to watching the kid play!
Agreed. Joao's slight physical build would suggest an outside player. But that is not where he lives psychologically. He wants maximum touches and time on the ball. I also agree that Joao will be fun to watch because of the unorthodox way that he thinks the game. He often sees opportunities where I, as a fan (and definitely as a player), do not. It has been a privilege watching him up close these past eight plus months.
John Cena? Really? I almost want to NOT know that. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/19/how-joao-moutinhos-american-dream-began-love-john-cena
Niko De Vera played all four years at Akron. He now gets the chance to play for New York Red Bulls in MLS as they select him with 31st overall pick. 🗣 Niko's first words as an #RBNY draftee! pic.twitter.com/FgkQUTWuJ4— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) January 19, 2018
Not too surprised, because of international slot. Additional TAM/GAM makes established internationals players and international slot restrictions makes international college players less desirable. Spoke to Nick and his parents after the draft. Glad that Portland didn't sign him to a HG if they really didn't want him - better for him to go to a team that really wanted him.
The way MLS is structured, limited international slots must be reserved for key contributors. This draft accents the daylight between Joao Moutinho and Sam Gainford. Sam will be playing somewhere in America, no doubt. Niko De Vera deserves this opportunity. He has steadily improved every Spring, every Fall, almost imperceptibly. But measuring the improvement from beginning to ending - he has come a very long way in four years. He is a fine young man from a solid family. Niko De Vera is what Akron Zips Soccer is all about!
International slots don't prevent players from being drafted though. In all reality, players after round 1 haven't had much of an MLS career (especially in last three years' draft classes). It's not hard to see that many of the draftees were just drafted with no real shot at making it -- domestic or international.
Nate Shultz taken in the 3rd round. I predicted him going earlier. NEO boys can ball! ref. Ben Zemanski. Stu Holthusen was taken a bit later in the 3rd round. I thought he would not get drafted at all, considering he was not invited to the MLS combine. And Stu is a New Zealander. Shows what I know. Both have been excellent Zips, playing all four years, maturing, improving. They are long shots in MLS, but I will root for them tirelessly. http://gozips.com/news/2018/1/21/me...elected-in-third-round-of-mls-superdraft.aspx
Nick Hinds has thrown in the towel on higher education. Perhaps he will take up college again down the road. I did. I cannot recall a player doing less with so much more. Hinds possesses 90 percentile raw athletic ability, talent that is woefully underdeveloped. He will be scary if he ever learns how to play Soccer. Or uses his right foot for anything other than running. Perhaps Sounders 2 will unlock his prodigious talent and Nick will blossom into a player worthy of his natural gifts. I truly hope so. Bitter is the opportunity lost.... Good Luck, Nick!
Akron Men's Soccer Adds Three to Roster for 2018 Campaign. http://gozips.com/news/2018/1/24/akron-mens-soccer-adds-three-to-roster-for-2018-campaign.aspx Shane! Come back, Shane!
That seems to be a lot of transfer activity. I was looking forward to seeing more of Alexander, but I totally understand him moving on.
Just A Blog From Akron Asks Jared Embick The Important Questions. http://uazips.blogspot.com/2018/01/just-blog-from-akron-asks-jared-embick.html ZN: Are there any guys you tried to recruit that ended up being "the one that got away"? JE: The best one is the story of Cyle Larin. He was recommended to us and I went to see him play at the beginning of his junior season and he was awful. Their coaches pleaded with me to take him, saying that he was coming off injury and didn’t play well. I said I don’t see it. Well, he went to UConn and grew 3 inches and put on about 20 pounds and became the number 1 draft pick. Now lit it up at Orlando City and is moving to Turkey. That was probably my biggest mistake in recruiting. One I think the most about as I should have gone back and saw him again before I wrote him off. The next time those coaches called me and recommended a player I didn’t hesitate and I said yes. That player was Richie Laryea. Lesson learned!! WHHAAAAAT???????!
That stings! Kudos to Embick for being willing to admit his mistakes. A lot of coaches wouldn't be brave or secure enough to be that honest. Great story.
@jmoutinho1998 @LAFC pic.twitter.com/s1tI2VWYgr— Paulo (@reisduarte1) February 1, 2018 @jmoutinho1998 @LAFC pic.twitter.com/W3UjcklfS5— Paulo (@reisduarte1) February 1, 2018 José Moutinho @jamvbm José Moutinho Retweeted Paulo João Moutinho 13 years old in the garage of father's building! José Moutinho added,
http://www.dailysoccerdigest.com/blog/2018/2/18/class-of-2022-the-top-5-recruiting-classes-in-ncaa-mens-division-i-soccerso-far Word on the street is that Zips are not yet done with this already huenormous recruiting class. Add-ons to follow!