The college soccer season culminates this weekend in Santa Barbara, CA. The field left involves three predictable powerhouses and perhaps one surprise -- #1 University of Louisville Cardinals, #3 University of Akron Zips, University of North Carolina Tar Heels, and University of Michigan Wolverines. The semifinals start Friday at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2 with Louisville taking on UNC, followed by Michigan vs. Akron at 10 pm CT. The final is slated for Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 pm CT on ESPN2. First of all, I'd like to comment on the freaking jerseys. How nice are D1 jerseys?!!!!! The pristine Nikes and Adidas with crests and all. They look glorious compared to any jersey I've ever worn. I'd also like to comment on the impact that MLS academies have made to the college game. Here's a list of academy grads on the final four rosters (tell me if I missed one):
Akron
Chad Barson, Columbus Crew Soccer
Andrian McAdams, Columbus Crew
Ben Speas, Columbus Crew
Eric Stevenson, Columbus Crew
Louisville
Aaron Horton, Columbus Crew
Alexander Obbey, Columbus Crew
North Carolina
Alex Dixon, Houston Dynamo
C.J. Odenigwe, Houston Dynamo
Michigan
Dylan Menica, Red Bull New York
Jarrett Kerr, Chicago Fire
Team Previews
Michigan Wolverines (17-4-3)
The #10-ranked team is a bit of a surprise pack this year. To get to the final four they got past Central Florida and South Carolina (7). In the elite eight, the Wolverines ousted second-ranked Maryland in College Park 3-2 in overtime. The team this year has been led by the attacking trio of brothers Soony and Hamoody Saad, who have combined for 19 and 6 goals, respectively. Not to mention the 16 goals and 8 assists from MLS Combine invitee Justin Meran. Can the Wolverines attack overcome the powerhouse that is Akron?
North Carolina Tar Heels (16-3-1)
The #4-ranked team has been a steady elite in the always competitive ACC this year. Interestingly, they have been playing with fire, advancing from every game in the tourney in a PK shootout. En route to the final four, they have defeated Georgetown, Michigan State, and Southern Methodist (5) all from the 12-yard spot. The team is led by a strong senior class captained by Michael Farfan. He was invited to the MLS Combine along with teammates Eddie Ababio, Jalil Anibaba, Stephen McCarthy, and Dustin McCarty. However, the unsung hero of this bunch is by far leading scorer Sophomore Enzo Martinez. Being from SC and watching this kid tear up the entire state for 4 unstoppable years, he has a bright future. Shit, I remember playing against a couple times in like U-12 and even then he was prolific. Watch out for him to have a big game against Louisville.
Akron Zips (20-1-2)
In seasons of late, the Akron soccer program have been doing its best impression of the Barcelona youth academy. In my opinion, they should keep their talent and go MLS because I don't know what coach Caleb Porter puts in his coffee in the morning but it has equaled pure futbol success. I don't know why an MLS team (*cough, cough, D.C., cough*) haven't scooped him up unless he's partial to college soccer. Nonetheless the Zips are somewhat blemished this year, ranked #3. In this year's NCAA tourney, the Zips have gotten past West Virginia, Indiana (14), and California (6), the last game via a shootout victory. The team is led by Darren Mattocks (18 G, 5 A), Anthony Ampaipitakwong (3 G, 11 A), Michael Nanchoff, Kofi Sarkodie, and Perry Kitchen. MLS Combine invitees include Ampaipitakwong and Chris Korb.
Louisville Cardinals (19-0-3)
The favorites have enjoyed an undefeated this season thus far, noted mostly by their upset of Akron late in the season. In the tourney, the Cardinals have beaten College of Charleston, Ohio State (16), and lastly, UCLA (8) in a 5-4 thriller. The Cardinals are led by MLS Combine invitee JT Murray and forward Colin Rolfe (9 G 7 A)
Rip City Predictions: UNC-Akron fnal with the Zips winning it all!!!!!
Post your predictions or comment on the games below!
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