Professional soccer players return to Akron for "Zips in the Pros" night

The University of Akron Department of Athletics is hosting a reunion event for 24 former Zips that now play professional soccer. The event will be held on Jan. 6, the date of Akron's MAC opener against Western Michigan and will include an announcement where each player will receive recognition at half time and be available for an autograph session.

The list of players attending are as follows: Chad Barsons (Columbus Crew), Evan Bush (Montreal Impact), Scott Caldwell (New England Revolution), Robbie Derschang (Harrisburg City Islanders), Blair Gavin (Seattle Sounders), Chris Korb (D.C. United), David Meves (Fort Lauderdale Strikers), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Michael Nanchoff (Portland Timbers), Aodhan Quinn (Orlando City), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo), Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Montreal Impact), Steve Zakuani (retired) and Ben Zemanski (Portland Timbers). (Player availability and schedules may change).

Of those players, Nagbe, Nanchoff and Zemanski still currently play under former Akron coach Caleb Porter, who now coaches the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer. Zakuani, who also played for the Timbers, recently retired due to persistent injuries at the age of 26.

The game begins at 7 p.m. and each person in attendance will receive a special "Zips in the Pros" poster featuring all 24 players.