Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIPhotos.net
A year after falling short of winning a national title in penalty kicks, Akron made the successful climb back to the championship game and came through with the victory the second time around.
Midfielder Scott Caldwell scored a late game-winning goal to give the Zips a 1-0 victory against previously-unbeaten Louisville in Sunday's College Cup Final in Santa Barbara.
Akron dominated possession for most of the match, outplaying a Louisville side that was organized defensively, but unable to create many chances in the run of play. The Cardinals came close on some set pieces, and hit the woodwork once, but ultimately couldn't match Akron's quality passing and dominant possession.
Caldwell broke the scoreless deadlock when he pounced on his own rebounded shot to hit a perfectly-struck shot from close range. Louisville poured on pressure late, and looked to have an equalizer heading toward goal only to have Akron defender Zarek Valentin clear a wide-open Aaron Horton shot off the goal line.
What did you think of Sunday's final? Impressed with Akron? Think Louisville can come back and win it all in 2011?
Share your thoughts below.
Ditto
I actually thought Michigan played better against Akron in the Semi, than Louisville did in the final.
congrats to Porter and Akron.. well deserved win.
Mattocks and Kanji were quite similar as well…
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVl-ZG2cs7c
Why would Caleb Porter want to coach the Red Bulls? He’s the golden boy of U.S. Soccer right now. Taking a terrible MLS job would do nothing for his career.
As a Louisville supporter, i think some equal time is in order. Akron played a good possession game. Louisville did not create as much offense as they usually do. However, these were the two best performing teams in the country and the game was a nail biter down to the final 15-20 minutes.
I congradulate the Akron team and staff, but Lolla’s Cardinals put soccer on the same media page with basketball and that other football sport. I hope an Akron/Louisville rivalry bothers the College Cup for many years to come.
I think pretty much any MLS team would be happy with one of these guys. It’s clear that Porter just knows how to coach.
i really hope my chivas usa get one of these akron kids in the draft to go with Gavin and Zemanski from last year…..
woah instant chemistry.
That was one of the most frantic final two minutes of a game I have seen in a long, long time.
Congratulations to Akron for winning the College Cup.
Also, congratulations to my university for winning the Div II soccer championship. Go NKU.
I love the way Ampaipitakwong plays. He has a great first touch, seldom makes a pass that puts his teammate in a worse position and is so great at seeing the field. I worry that MLS is too physical a league to permit him to play and would rather see him in Spain where his talents would fit right in.
Three or so years down the road, it will be interesting to see if the USMNT can find enough talent to fit in with Ampai’s style. I can think of some guys who would mesh very well and others who would find it a challenge to fit in that kind of style (it just won’t work if teammates aren’t able to move intelligently and keep possession). Bob Bradley’s Princeton University teams tried to play the sort of possession game that would fit Ampaipitakwong’s style well. With no scholarships to offer and a tough academic standard to meet, Bradley’s Princeton university team reached the NCAA semifinals. So it may be less a stretch for the coach than many might think.
Anybody got a link to some highlights?
Nanchoff was the difference between this year’s title and last year’s runner up result. He is the smartest player Akron has, and they arent the same when he isnt on the pitch. Congrats to the Zips! A well-deserved national title.
Akron is going to reload and be a force again next year. At least they won’t have to worry about Mattocks leaving…completely invisible on the big stage. I’d be shocked if Valentin or Kitchen stayed, however.
Except for Valentin and Kitchen (to the extent that he was playing DM), Akron’s defense was just a hair away from sending them home–several times. Their opponents were actually doing themselves a big favor by trying to play OVER the midfield: the Akron middies had it locked the heck down.
I missed the final, along with the semis, Dagger. Props to Akron for their first national championship.
Better still, NYRB should hire Caleb Porter. That Akron team is the best functioning team I’ve ever seen play at the US collegiate level.
Is Caleb Porter Steve Cherundolo’s long lost twin? Crazy. First Donovan and Iniesta and now this.
WOO HOO!
Been waiting for this since I listened to the ’86 final in my dorm room. Roll on Zips!
Can I just say that I am hoping to see the Red Bulls draft Akron’s Anthony Ampaipitakwong. This man is deffently ready for the MLS and I think could start for them from the start. he is the midfielder the team needs to help them finally win the MLS Cup.
Congrats to Akron on winning their 1st ever NCAA D1 National title. The team is amazing and plays the best collage soccer I’ve seen since UCLA was dominationg a few years ago. I fell in love with the team when I seen them play Hartwick 2 years ago. I hope to see the team stay an elite soccer school for a long time to come, as I would love to see my son play for the school.
As a Akron student who went to every home game this year and also a few away games, I scratched my head all year as to why Porter’s been starting Caldwell. He was prone to bad first touches and lousy passes. He also didn’t score till the MAC tourney. That being said, the kid came up clutch in this tournament. I don’t think he has what it takes to perform at the next level though.
you obviously know what you’re talking about (I truly mean that no snark here) so help us out here.
You really don’t think he will be a good pro? He seems to have already carved out a spot for himself and was aways making something happen during his academy time with the Revs.
Is there a pro comparison maybe? You really don’t think he’s worth a home grown selection for the Revs?
He didn’t need lightning. He needed, at the VERY most, a static shock…
caldwell is a solid player. does well enough in the simple things to warrant a spot for akron. he is fairly technical and plays smartly. he is not going to be a professional. too slow, weak, and not dynamic. and him getting offensive mvp honors based on a couple crosses in the semi and a goal today is a gross insult to the likes of ampai nanchoff and particularly nagbe.
Horton couldn’t strike lightning 3 times. Well deserved to Caleb Porter
What do you think on Caldwell’s pro potential? Is he worth a Revs home grown singing?