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By Michael Beaven
Special to the Beacon Journal
POSTED: 12:46 p.m. EDT, Oct 08, 2009
COLUMBUS: Goals no longer come in bunches. Dominating games at will is a thing of the past.
That doesn't mean former University of Akron star Steve Zakuani is not making an impact in his first season in Major League Soccer. Zakuani, the No. 1 overall pick in last January's MLS draft, is contributing at both ends of the field for the playoff-contending Seattle Sounders FC.
''Steve has a special quality with his ability to dribble and take defenders on,'' Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. ''Breaking in on the offensive end is much more difficult than breaking in as a defender. It's been a hard transition for him, but he has that ability to take people on. He has that ability to play one-on-one and get behind defenders that you can't really coach. It's something a guy either has or doesn't have.''
Zakuani, 21, realized he would not come into the MLS and dominate like he did the past two seasons at UA.
''At first, it was the level of play that was the biggest adjustment,'' Zakuani said Saturday after he contributed to a 1-0 Seattle win over the Columbus Crew, the 2008 MLS Cup champions who had their MLS-record 24-game home unbeaten streak snapped at Crew Stadium.
''The players are better, the speed of play is better and training is at a higher level. Now that I am almost done playing a season that is three times as along as the college season, I think my body is showing it. I feel not as fresh as I did at the start of the season, but that is a natural thing. Hopefully after this first year is over I can go home, get my body recharged and come back next year fresh.''
Zakuani, 6-foot and 160 pounds, has played in 27 of the Sounders' 28 games, including 22 starts. He is third on the team in goals with four, and is tied for fourth in assists with four.
Schmid has asked Zakuani to play more of a midfielder role than the forward position he played for the Zips.
''I think he has hit the wall a little bit, which all college players do, but also there are more demands on him in our game,'' Schmid said. ''I think at Akron and playing at the college level, he was able to play more on the offensive part of the field and didn't do a lot of defending. For us, he has to do a lot more defending, so he has to have a greater awareness on when to get back and when to get forward. All of those things he is learning. I think he will be even better next year.''
Zakuani, the Soccer America 2008 Player of the Year, led NCAA Division I in scoring last year with 20 goals, helping UA win their second consecutive Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles. He said he has embraced the position change because he experienced playing at both ends as a youth.
''I actually grew up playing on the left mid,'' Zakuani said.
Zips coach Caleb Porter decided to have Zakuani play forward to best utilize his speed and scoring abilities. Zakuani responded with 26 goals and nine assists in 44 career games at UA.
''When I first got there, we sat down and one of the first things he asked me was 'What is your long-term goal?' and I said 'That's to play pro,' '' Zakuani said. ''He said to me 'I am going to make that happen.' He was true to his word. When the opportunity came up, he didn't hold me back. He played a big role and helped me go. He has been great for my career.''
Schmid wants Zakuani to improve his fitness, body strength and concentration level during games.
''If he commits himself to it and continues to grow, I see him being one of the top players in this league,'' Schmid said. ''He should be one of the best wide, winger players in this league. He should be mentioned in the same breath with (Crew midfielder) Robbie Rogers, who I think is the top winger in the league.''
COLUMBUS: Goals no longer come in bunches. Dominating games at will is a thing of the past.
That doesn't mean former University of Akron star Steve Zakuani is not making an impact in his first season in Major League Soccer. Zakuani, the No. 1 overall pick in last January's MLS draft, is contributing at both ends of the field for the playoff-contending Seattle Sounders FC.
''Steve has a special quality with his ability to dribble and take defenders on,'' Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said. ''Breaking in on the offensive end is much more difficult than breaking in as a defender. It's been a hard transition for him, but he has that ability to take people on. He has that ability to play one-on-one and get behind defenders that you can't really coach. It's something a guy either has or doesn't have.''
Zakuani, 21, realized he would not come into the MLS and dominate like he did the past two seasons at UA.
''At first, it was the level of play that was the biggest adjustment,'' Zakuani said Saturday after he contributed to a 1-0 Seattle win over the Columbus Crew, the 2008 MLS Cup champions who had their MLS-record 24-game home unbeaten streak snapped at Crew Stadium.
''The players are better, the speed of play is better and training is at a higher level. Now that I am almost done playing a season that is three times as along as the college season, I think my body is showing it. I feel not as fresh as I did at the start of the season, but that is a natural thing. Hopefully after this first year is over I can go home, get my body recharged and come back next year fresh.''
Zakuani, 6-foot and 160 pounds, has played in 27 of the Sounders' 28 games, including 22 starts. He is third on the team in goals with four, and is tied for fourth in assists with four.
Schmid has asked Zakuani to play more of a midfielder role than the forward position he played for the Zips.
''I think he has hit the wall a little bit, which all college players do, but also there are more demands on him in our game,'' Schmid said. ''I think at Akron and playing at the college level, he was able to play more on the offensive part of the field and didn't do a lot of defending. For us, he has to do a lot more defending, so he has to have a greater awareness on when to get back and when to get forward. All of those things he is learning. I think he will be even better next year.''
Zakuani, the Soccer America 2008 Player of the Year, led NCAA Division I in scoring last year with 20 goals, helping UA win their second consecutive Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles. He said he has embraced the position change because he experienced playing at both ends as a youth.
''I actually grew up playing on the left mid,'' Zakuani said.
Zips coach Caleb Porter decided to have Zakuani play forward to best utilize his speed and scoring abilities. Zakuani responded with 26 goals and nine assists in 44 career games at UA.
''When I first got there, we sat down and one of the first things he asked me was 'What is your long-term goal?' and I said 'That's to play pro,' '' Zakuani said. ''He said to me 'I am going to make that happen.' He was true to his word. When the opportunity came up, he didn't hold me back. He played a big role and helped me go. He has been great for my career.''
Schmid wants Zakuani to improve his fitness, body strength and concentration level during games.
''If he commits himself to it and continues to grow, I see him being one of the top players in this league,'' Schmid said. ''He should be one of the best wide, winger players in this league. He should be mentioned in the same breath with (Crew midfielder) Robbie Rogers, who I think is the top winger in the league.''
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Highland Square, OH
Posted 02:50 PM, 10/08/2009
Can someone please tell me how the number overall draft pick didn't win the Herman trohpy last season?
It must be the same reason Akron got screwed out of their home field advantage for last years sweet 16 game.
You go Zak.
And let's go UA soccer! The way Steve(and the team) was snubbed last year should be extra motivation to whoop some BCS arse.
Kandi, SL
Posted 05:05 PM, 10/08/2009
UA Engineering,
Please relax and don't be so boastful. The people from Maryland might get upset and we wouldn't want them to think they should Fear the Roo or anything.
Highland Square, OH
Posted 05:58 PM, 10/08/2009
Fear the turtle?
