Roots are an important thing. Knowing where you come from helps you understand where you are going.
The University of Akron has proved to be an important part of the soccer journeys of Columbus Crew 2 standouts Marco Micaletto, Abdi Mohamed, and Daniel Strachan. Their time with the Zips helped them grow and develop as players, and they were very prepared for the next level when that time came. The Zips have one of the most robust pipelines to the pros, sending dozens of players to the professional level under the expert tutelage of both Caleb Porter and Jared Embick.
Getting reacquainted with former teammates is a special thing.
“It’s been really good to connect again with guys like Marco and Abdi,” Strachan said. “And then playing against guys in Chicago. I’ve been able to see them in a different league, different level, different relationship, whether it’s an opponent or on the same team. It’s been awesome.”
The opportunity to play for Crew 2 is an opportunity Strachan is thankful for.
“For me, it’s just the next step in the journey, finally being able to make that professional level, develop more as a player and more as a person,” Strachan said. “We have guys that are have been playing professional for few years now on our team, so it’s good to learn from them and also be a leader to some of the younger guys. With this league, there’s the ability to have some younger 18- or 19-year-old players playing professional so being able to mentor them is also a great opportunity.”
The former Zips were quick to point out the influence that Embick has had on their lives and careers.
“Huge, huge impact,” Mohamed said. “He’s obviously the coach who transitioned me from the midfield to right back. He noticed that I would have more effectiveness from that position. So that was the first time I ever played right back in five-plus years. He believed in me in that position and just gave me the tools so I would be ready for this level.”
The UA program prides itself on professionalism and putting an incredible product on the field. They are always in the mix when it comes to winning championships and developing the best talent.
“Akron is a big staple of college soccer, and everyone knows Akron,” Mohamed said. “And the pros that they’ve produced over the past decade, you just see it in every single locker room across different teams in MLS. There’s a rich culture there, a pride for winning. It helped me a lot to be ready to be a pro.”
Playing at Akron provides players with a competitive environment and an atmosphere that rivals that of some professional teams. All of this has helped foster a tradition of winning, excellence, and community.
Micaletto had great memories of the AK-ROWDIES, staunch supporters of athletics at UA.
“Surely some of my favorite moments, when I look back is celebrating those wins with the Rowdies after the games,” Micaletto said. “They’d always come out, and we’d go around in their crowds. And I remember those moments really fondly.”
The Reading, England native was part of an amazing 2018 campaign with the Zips.
“It was an incredible year, because I think we were like 2-5, 2-6 towards the start of the year,” Micaletto said. “And then obviously, it resulted us with turning it around and getting to the final of the NCAAs. I can’t put my finger on it, but there was a moment within that locker room where we just decided to come together, be it you’re on the starting team, be it your redshirt, or on the bench like me, everybody understood their role and everybody bought into it. And that’s what helped us become successful, and the camaraderie in that locker room was just amazing. During the final trip to Santa Barbara, I did not feel like a student-athlete. At that point I felt like an absolute athlete. I was playing in this beautiful scenario with some of the best people, with some of the best coaches, some of the best facilities. You treasure those experiences because I’ve also seen parts of the game where it’s not as nice and so to go through the highs and the lows you just become more thankful.”
Embick is proud of what this tremendous trio has accomplished at Crew 2.
“I think what drives all three of these players is their drive and determination,” Embick said. “They are humble people who work hard every day at improving their game. At Akron, all three were key members of the team that went to the national championship game. They are winners, having proved that here and they are proving it again at the next level. They have talent, but all three have intangibles and a strong mentality. It is these intangible qualities and mentality that separates these three players and allows them to maximize their talent. Coaches love coaching players like these three and young players would be wise to follow their example. Daniel was a captain at Akron for three seasons, Marco is the Crew 2 current captain, and Abdi has been a captain in the past. All three of them are capable of leading a team by a strong positive personality as well as by example.”
Columbus Crew 2 General Manager Corey Wray shared his thoughts on the club’s relationship with the University of Akron.
“The Akron Zips have historically had a successful program, and we also have shared Ohio roots,” Wray said. “Players from the University of Akron have a good understanding of the Columbus Crew and its history given the number of Akron alumni who have gone on to play or coach for our Club. Jared Embick has done a great job of keeping communication open between our two organizations, and both Akron and the Crew benefit as a result.”
Roughly 125 miles separates the cities of Akron and Columbus, but the great work of Marco Micaletto, Abdi Mohamed, and Daniel Strachan has made that distance seem even shorter. Fans of Akron soccer are becoming even bigger fans of the Crew, and Crew supporters are looking to the University of Akron for the next Columbus Crew star.
Photo Credit: Ric Kruszynski/ISNSoccer.com
