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.



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