Just A Blog From Akron Asks Jared Embick The Important Questions

The Akron Zips Men's Soccer team made 2017 a year to remember by reaching its second College cup semifinal in 3 years. A season can be long and brutal and one man is responsible for keeping the Zips laser focused and dialed in on their march to the MAC and NCAA tournaments. That man is Head Coach Jared Embick. I spoke to Coach Embick about last season, the future, the past and had a little fun diving in and getting to know him a bit better. Please enjoy my full conversation with Jared Embick.

ZN: You've had some time to digest this past season now. What are your thoughts? How are you feeling and what, if anything, would you have done differently?
JE:  I am pleased with the season overall. As I look back if you told me we would start 0-2 and lose our first conference game of season I would have told you we would have most likely had a poor season overall. But our team showed great character to fight back and put us in position to win another National Championship. In hindsight I probably would have changed a bit of our build up play for the semifinal game against Stanford to help us bring the ball out of the back easier. We discussed it as a staff at length but I ultimately decided against it because we had been on a roll. I feel with some slight changes we may have been able to create more chances but our players were very confident with how we have been playing so I decided to stick with it.

ZN: A point I've made to the naysayer zips fans has been this: there is no shame in losing to that Stanford Dynasty. Can you speak a little bit on that roster and how you and the team prepared for the way they play?
JE: Stanford is built a bit differently than us. More physical players, less technique and skill.  Built to destroy the game more than create. I thought in 2015 we were a bit unfortunate not to go through. This year I just think they rattled us in the first half and we came out better in the second but didn’t create enough chances and they deserved to win. We prepared for them the way we would any team that is similar we played. We worked on how we could build up play from the defense and create chances and how we would need to defend. We didn’t execute our plan very well and I probably in hindsight would have changed the build up to be a bit more safe in bringing the ball out of the back but we were playing well and thought if we executed we could have broken them down to score first and control the game but we lost the ball in the buildup that led to their first goal. But these are the risks we take at times to play our style. 

ZN: You had a lot of big, hard fought team wins this season. Any of them feel particularly special to you or the team?
JE: I feel Our Syracuse win on the road was a big one. It was our fourth game in 9 days and we had several key players out with injuries and we had players step up off the bench in a big way for us. Joe Korb, Ezana [Kahsay], Morgan Hackworth to name a few. It was a really difficult win on the road against an ACC team.

ZN: There was a lot of talk around this team about how many foreign born players featured prominently. What is the strategy to integrating such a diverse team with so many different backgrounds? How do those players adjust to college life in Akron?
JE: I think people need to remember that we lose players early and some of the best American players are already committed so we look towards internationals to fill the gap.  We are fortunate that our school’s name and reputation is extremely high in Europe because of the style of play and number of players that we have produced for the MLS and other leagues. I feel we have been able to use that to our advantage and get really talented international players. For me as a coach I also view soccer as a global game and Americans have to compete globally for jobs in the MLS or beyond so for me it is about finding the best player for Akron that fits our style of play and has the intangible qualities and character we look for. 
I think for me it has been easier to integrate them into our team because many of them enjoy the way we play and that helps. It helps that they can play the style they enjoy while adapting to a new country and culture. The challenge comes in managing the player and understanding how to motivate him based on the differences in culture. It has really allowed me to get to know these players and cultures and bit deeper which has made me a much more diverse person.I think any player that moves countries and in some cases has to use their second language has an adjustment period. The chemistry of the team and the character of our players have really helped the players adapt quickly. The support of the administration and support staff has also been a big help in the adjustment process. But I would also say the fellow students have been so supportive and really welcomed the players to the university and supported them during games. That has also been a big help to our international students.

ZN: What do the Akron Zips need to do to breakthrough the ceiling and make that national championship game and beyond?
JE: We just need to stick to what we're doing. We've been close two of the last three years so there is no need for big changes. We just need to continue to work hard stay humble and try to improve every aspect of our game individually and collectively. 

ZN: What can zips fans look forward to with your team in 2018?
JE: I think everyone should be excited. I have an empty canvas to kind of remake this team in any way I see fit. We will look at the strengths of our returners and ask them to step up and we will add talented new players but I can tinker with maybe a new formation or some tweaks to our style. But we will stay true to our identity and style of play. I know people look at what we lost and may be nervous or uncertain as to what we may look like. I can see the big picture and I am extremely excited and I think the fans will share that excitement when they see what type of team we are putting together. We will still be the most entertaining team and best ticket in college soccer.

topdrawersoccer

"With a great culture, attitude and humility among our players and staff we can maintain the standards and hopefully meet our expectations next year of winning a national championship." - Jared Embick 

ZN:This upcoming season you face an uphill climb. Replacing a huge senior class, filling big shoes at important positions and only returning 4 starters. What is the first step to rebuilding a team and creating a new identity?
JE: We will focus on our culture. Maintain the culture, maintain the standards. Be demanding of yourself to meet the standards and expectations. We will train as hard as we can and recruit talented players. With a great culture, attitude and humility among our players and staff we can maintain the standards and hopefully meet our expectations next year of winning a national championship. 

ZN: Looking back, Can you reflect on this senior class? How much of an impact have they had on you and this program? 
JE: This is a diverse group of seniors and we learn from people in life. How they handle situations, how they look at obstacles and for me these seniors have really reminded me of how you cannot put limitations on what people can accomplish and how you are in sports is not a reflection of who you are. These seniors remind me that character, perseverance and attitude are more important qualities than talent and reputation. It's a special group of people. I will remember them more for who they are rather than how they played.

ZN: Having seen Joao Moutinho grow into a Hermann Trophy Semifinalist and Number One overall Superdraft pick firsthand, speak on his maturation.
JE: He is a very humble kid and very coachable. He trained hard and did what the coaches asked of him and I think that went a long way to his success. We knew he had talent and ability we just needed to put him in the right situation to showcase that. I think what everyone saw throughout the year is he got more confident and comfortable with the team each game and became better and better. He reminded me a lot of Perry Kitchen as a freshman, they both were mature beyond their years when they got here.

Joao Moutinho, football88

ZN:Talking about replacing players, turnover, and such. How big of a challenge is it to replace a Jonathan Lewis or a Joao Moutinho?
JE: Always difficult to replace players like Joao and Jonathan. Mostly because you have a short time to find a replacement as you usually expect players to stay for at least two seasons. Sometimes as a coach we alter how we play the next year because it is not easy to find players with similar strengths or talent level that has left. But we may find a good player with strengths in a different area and we reorganize the team to take advantage of those strengths. But in some cases it takes us an extra season to work out how to play without those players.

ZN: You had 4 players taken in the MLS superdraft: two in the early rounds and two in the later rounds. That's a huge accomplishment. We know where those players are going, but most folks haven't heard alot about the other seniors in this class. What can you tell us about whats next for those players?  
JE: Sam is looking at getting into a training camp and/or making a USL team. Manuel is going to finish up his degree this semester and then look to join a team in the summer.  Getting his degree was important for him. Pau Belana I believe is going to go back to Spain and look for a full time job and play in one of the higher amateur leagues. Our other seniors Nate Brown, Barth Muofo and Dener Dos Santos are going to get jobs in the spring.

ZN: Whats it feel like to see guys you've coached tearing it up for pro clubs and National teams? Whats it like watching a guy like Wil Trapp, Deandre Yedlin or whoever getting meaningful time in these pro teams and growing into leaders?  
JE: It is very enjoyable to watch players you have coached play at high level and become very successful. Knowing who they are as people makes it even more enjoyable to see the success they have because they have all worked hard and are great people as well.

ZN: Who is the Zip to watch in 2018? Who's ready to breakout and make a name for themselves? 
JE: I think the three names for me in terms of returners are David Egbo, Skye Harter and Daniel Strachan. Look for them to step up and lead the way.

ZN: February 25th begins a tough spring season for the Zips with games against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Columbus Crew, and some tough college programs. What do you want from these games as a coach and what do you want your guys to take from these games?
JE: I want to see our mentality and work rate be at a high level. We may make mistakes but we cannot lose who we are. I want to see who is willing to step up and take advantage of an opportunity. At the end of the day if we can maintain our mentality and show progress I will be a happy coach.

ZN: Correct me if i'm wrong, but you did a lot of the recruiting in the Caleb Porter days and still do. What is your philosophy for recruiting and if you care to share an interesting story from your travels? 
JE:  Yes, recruiting was one of my main responsibilities with Caleb, scouting and working with attackers were my others. I have many interesting stories. For me, when I watch a player I look for intelligence, awareness, technical ability and athleticism. For me athleticism is lowest of them all. We have had many slow players succeed that were extremely technical and smart players (Scott Caldwell and Adam Najem come to mind). If you know how to position yourself on the field and have great awareness and can combine that with high skill level you can always be one step ahead of the game. The athletic players sometimes can do things special athletically but can’t think quick enough or read situations correctly and the game breaks down too much with them. Sometimes you can get the best of both worlds and that is Darlington Nagbe!

Darlington Nagbe, cleveland.com

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!!

ZN: This is a hard one even for me, but give me your "players I've coached" Best XI?
JE: Wow, this is the most difficult question. Probably play a 4-3-1-2. 

F- Steve Zakuani        F- Darlington Nagbe  

AM- Anthony Ampaipitakwong 

CM- Blair Gavin                         CM- Scott Caldwell 

DM- Perry Kitchen

LB- Chris Korb                                                                   RB- DeAndre Yedlin 
CB- Joao Moutinho    CB- Zarek Valentin

GK- Evan Bush 

Bench- Kofi Sarkodie, Richie Laryea, Adam Najem, Jonathan Lewis, Wil Trapp, Elliot Bradbrook, Sam Gainford, Michael Nanchoff, Chad Barson, Aodhan Quinn.
(That may change tomorrow)

ZN: This is a fun one: I'm sure at practices and in locker rooms there is a fair amount of juggling and horsing around, ball skills etc. Which player you've coached has the best foot skills? 
JE: This is a tough one. I think Anthony Ampaipitakwong or Skye Harter maybe have the most tricks. Cristian Arboleda (Colombian who transferred to CSU) also had some great tricks and was probably the best at Futsal.

ZN: This is off subject, but I'd love to hear your take: Whats the problem with US Soccer and how do we fix it? 
JE: We do not have enough time for this question. You have the business side of the problem which if fixed would help speed up the development side of the problem. This would be a whole different interview haha.

It was unbelievably cool getting to chat with Coach Embick. Thanks Coach for your time and thank you for reading Just A Blog From Akron! Keep reading for more coverage of all Akron Sports. 

Tyler Warner
tylerwarnermedia@gmail.com
UA 2015