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No. 1 Akron faces No. 2 Tulsa in a can’t-miss college showdown

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Admit it, you don't watch much college soccer and your past experiences with it haven't been the best.

Tonight's match betwee No. 1 ranked Akron and No. 2 ranked Tulsa (8pm, Fox Soccer Channel) just might change that perception.

Boasting what may be one of the most talented teams in college soccer history, the unbeaten Zips enter tonight's match unscored upon and featuring a dangerous attack loaded with pro prospects. They face their toughest test to date though, taking on a Tulsa side that can score goals in bunches and has the experience of pushing Akron to the brink on two occasions last year.

"We know they're going to come at us and they aren't going to sit back and keep numbers behind the ball like some other teams do against us," said Akron head coach Caleb Porter. "We admire the way they play and we're looking forward to that challenge."

The match will feature several of the nation's best players, and as many as a dozen MLS current and future MLS prospects could be on the field tonight.

So why watch tonight's match? You can expect both teams to attack, and Tulsa isn't going to be afraid to go after Akron's defense with standout forwards Austin Neil and Ashley McInnes. Akron's back-line has been stellar all season and has yet to allow a goal this season.

As good as Akron has been defensively, it is the Zips attack that really makes the difference. Led by top pro prospect Darlington Nagbe up top, creators Anthony Ampaipitakwong and Michael Nanchoff in midfield and Kofi Sarkodie and Zarek Valentin working the flanks as attacking fullbacks, Akron can come at you from any number of directions. Tulsa's defense, led by Justin Chavez, will have its hands full tonight.

"Both teams are going to look to attack, but we can't just let it become a wide-open match," Porter said. "We need to be able to control the tempo of the match and finish our chances.

"Both teams will have chances, we just need to be able to put ours away and not give them confidence toward the end of the match because they're capable of making things real tough."

Tonight's match is the latest in a series of tough tests for Akron, which opened the season by beating highly-ranked ACC foes North Carolina and Wake Forest. The Zips have outscored their opponents 11-0 this season, but their toughest test awaits today against a Tulsa attack that has scored 18 goals in six matches.

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If you will be watching tonight's match, please feel free share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section of this post.

Enjoy the action.

Comments

  1. What a Game!!! The Zips have so much Talent, I especially noticed Darlington Nagbe. Watch Out, this guy is going to be a true Talent. I don’t why he hasn’t been on the National Team Radar? He Vision for a cutting through ball and passing was excellent. I mean he was setting up players right and left, especially in the 2nd Half. He has the very rare ability to see; that final decisive pass, to set players up & Score Goals. A true playmaker. Where the heck are the Scouts?? The USMNT has got to have the worst Scouting System, there were several players out there with immense Talent.
    I really think I could do a much better job scouting for emerging talent. As there seems to be alot of talent out there, that flys under the radar. USMNT give me a holla! I’ll scout for ya.

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  2. I believe that if they had stayed Akron could still have Zakuani, Bunbury, and Gaven playing for them. Would be interesting to bring back Wake’s early departures (would Tracy still be eligible?) and have the teams play.

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  3. Was at this game tonight. Akron are the class of college soccer right now. This was supposed to be their toughest game yet, against a team who knows them pretty well, and they ran riot and made it look easy. TU had no idea how to break down the defense and couldn’t handle the sheer quality on the other end. One of the most dynamic entertaining teams I’ve ever had the chance to watch live.

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  4. this isnt a reply to nicks comment but just a question i think people might want to have answered:

    anyone know where we can find a stream for this game? i find no links up, cuz it seems to underground, but im sure there are 24/7 FSC streams out there on the interwebs.. but theyre address is constantly changing.

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  5. Also, Stanford vs. #17 Saint Marys tonight. Stanford on a 2 game win streak lookin to get back up to that #13 ranking they started the season with. Should be a good one

    Reply

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