There really is no big separation between these four schools. One is unbeaten and the rest are dominate ACC figures that we’re use to seeing make it this far into the tournament. Virginia, North Carolina and Wake Forest have been solid all season long. Akron on the other hand has been nearly perfect this year. I say nearly because they still have two potential games standing between them and perfection on the season.

Below are my previews for tonight’s game and a prediction of who I think will win it all.

Virginia v. Wake Forest (4:30 CST – ESPN2):

Players of Note:
VIRGINIA- Tony Tchani, Will Bates, Jonathan Villanueva, and Brian Ownby.
WAKE FOREST- Ike Opara, Corben Bone, Austin Da Luz, and Zach Schilawski.

This game is loaded with pure talent on both sides. Virginia found ways to beat Wake twice this season, which isn’t easy to do in any year. But believe me, beating a team three times in a season is no easy task when both sides are so evenly matched. These teams played to a scoreless draw in the ACC Tournament semifinals before UVA won on penalty kicks.

Wake will need to rely on their offense to win this one. Virginia has too good of a defense here that just takes over games. The Demon Deacons will need a big time performance out of Austin Da Luz here. If he can help generate the offense like he has done all year and find a way to break down this daunting defense then Wake could move on.

Virginia will need find a way to get Will Bates involved early on in this one. He’s big and physical around net, look for Ike Opera to be on him all day. If he isn’t able to find a way to break down Wake’s defense then look for Toni Tchani to have to pick up the slack. If Tchani is able to do some damage then I would like Virginia’s chances.

I think this one could easily go either way. UVA has the mental advantage in beating Wake twice this year but something about Wake in this game I like a little more. Revenge is a dish best served cold and look for Wake to move on with a close  win in overtime.

WVH Prediction: Wake Forest 1 – 0 Virginia

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Akron v. North Carolina (6:30 CST ESPNU)

Players of Note:
AKRON- Teal Bunbury, Darlington Nagbe, Blair Gavin, Anthony Ampaipitakwong, and Kofi Sarkodie.
UNC- Zach Lloyd, Dustin McCarty, Michael Farfan, Billy Schuler, and Kirk Urso.

The Zips are quite a story here, going undefeated up until this point. Just two more games and the perfect season is their’s. Akron is all about speed and if UNC can slow down that speed with Dustin McCarty and Kirk Urso then they will go a long way in staying in this game. The thing is that won’t be easy to do as Akron has not one but two star forwards that are extremely tough to contain with Team Bunbury and Darlington Nagbe.

If anyone is an underdog in this Final Four it is the Tar Heels. UNC will need to rely a lot on Michael Farfan to generate some offense and to find guys like Zach Lloyd and Billy Schuler in space.

The difference in this one is pure talent though and I love the overall talent that Akron has. With difference makers like  Anthony Ampaipitakwong and Blair Gavin in the midfield I just have trouble seeing UNC pull the upset in this one. The Zips move on and get Wake in the final.

WVH Prediction: Akron 2, UNC 1

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So that leaves Akron and Wake in the final based on these predictions. Just to be quick I’ll take Akron with the win in the final as well. I just love the overall amount of talent on that roster. Wake and Virginia would both present problems for Akron but with head coach Caleb Porter likely on his way to MLS with DC I just think this will be the one shot this bunch has at a national title. Not a bad send off if you ask me.

Jack McInerney is a young player with a bright future.

As I mentioned a week ago I am hoping to get this into a regular thing for at least the next few weeks as we really start to gear up for the 2010 SuperDraft in just a couple (yes only a couple) months away. The response has been pretty solid so far and I’ll be honest a few of you have mentioned some players that I had not heard of yet until now. I’m glad you did because now some of them are going to be making these watch lists.

Today has a heavier focus on some guys that could be in line for a Generation adidas contract this year. I know I’ve already mentioned a couple in my last two posts (round 1 & 2) but today I have a couple more names. Since the US U-20 and U-17 World Cup runs are over now a lot of folks are saying we could see a number of players get offered GA contracts for this year’s draft. I will also start off with two from the U-20 team that were both on the watch list last year for a GA contract.

Again, some of these kids may go the MLS route and some may not. That we will have to wait and see in a few weeks as the college seasons wrap up.

And just like last week, if you know of some guys that are worthy to be looked at here please email me or send their names to me via Twitter so I can include them in the next batch.

Gale Agbossoumonde (Miami FC/US U-20): Now this may not end up being a SuperDraft player as he is playing for the USL/TOA/whatever’s Miami FC right now. But one has to figure that he will get a look at from some MLS clubs that need defensive help. He’s still a little raw but the talent is there and he could possibly still be in line for a Generation adidas contract. Draft or no draft he is a name we all need to keep an eye on.

Sheanon Williams (unattached): He left UNC last year after his sophomore season and has been unattached ever since. Would he still be worth a GA contract or even a late round draft pick? I still believe so. I was pretty high on him last year and he did have some solid play this year with the U-20 World Cup.Why he hasn’t been picked up anywhere is anyone’s guess. I believe he tried to get on somewhere in Europe and failed. It might be time for him to just come to MLS and play.

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Luis Gil (U-17s): We mentioned a couple days ago that Gil is reportedly going the MLS route after the World Cup in Nigeria with the U-17s. Gotta believe he will get a GA contract if that is indeed the case.

Jack McInerney (U-17s): After Gil and the other prized U-17s (Charles Renken, Joseph Gyau), McInerney is probably one of the most talked about. He scored a solid goal against the UAE in the group stages of the Cup and he one of the most consistent shooters of the team (he also scored the lone goal against Spain). He’s got loads of talent and I’d imagine a few MLS clubs would love to have him as a long-term project.

Zac MacMath (Maryland): He’s only a sophomore but lots of people are already talking about him going pro from what I’ve been told. He’s certainly talented but with guys like Brian Perk and Sean Johnson (see below) probably rated above him would he risk going? It all depends on if he gets a GA contract or not I think. Right now there are a lot of quality keepers out there and I kind of think he’d be better off staying at Maryland for another year.

Sean Johnson (U-20s): He was with Central Florida but he saw some time with the U-20s this year but mostly sat on the bench behind Perk. If you haven’t seen this kid its too bad because he has plenty of upside. He reminds me a lot of Chris Seitz with how he handles things in front of the goal. I only hope he goes to a club that actually plays him instead of keeping him locked away on the bench.

Brian Ownby (Virginia): Didn’t see a lot of time with UVa this fall because of his time with the U-20 squad in Egypt. He’s definitely a guy I could see be in line for a GA contract. He’s quick and good on his feet. He’s also a pretty proven scorer which can go a long way on the next level. More than likely I think he will be converted to a wing player on the next level but he certainly knows how to score.

Ofori Sarkodie (Indiana): This senior defender should certainly be high on some draft boards. He doesn’t post monster numbers in terms of goals or assists but what he does do best is clean up in front of his own goal and handle possession pretty darn well. He has pretty good speed and size which is always good to have on the pro level.

Barry Rice (Kentucky): Another senior defender that loads of folks seem pretty high on and for good reason. UK people tell me he is the best defender the school has ever seen. I have a feeling he will have to put on a good show at the MLS Combine but we should see his name called in an early round come January.