If you were standing on the sidelines of Akron’s Lee R. Jackson Field on Oct. 19, you would have laughed at the idea that the visiting team would eventually earn a College Cup berth six weeks later. The Zips trounced Michigan 7-1 that night — Akron’s biggest margin of victory all season — as the visitors traveled back home with their confidence and direction in doubt.

But Friday, the Wolverines will stand across the field from the Zips in Santa Barbara, Calif., with a trip to the NCAA final on the line. Michigan is the clear underdog. But with a nine-game winning streak since the loss to Akron, which includes road upsets of No. 10 South Carolina and No. 2 Maryland, the Wolverines are undoubtedly a stronger team than they were in Akron. But how much stronger?

Michigan’s forwards vs. Akron’s center backs

Akron has been buoyed all year by one of the nation’s best defenses, boasting the nation's sixth best goals-against-average. The defense is organized around its two U-20 U.S. National Team center backs, sophomores Zarek Valentin and Chad Barson. Both players are quick, have great composure and positioning and have a special talent for distributing balls forward to the Zips’ forwards.

Michigan freshman Soony Saad and senior Justin Meram are the attacking force for the Wolverines. They have combined for 35 goals this season and have accounted 75 percent of Michigan's scoring prodcution. Meram possesses a fearlessness in beating defenders and a poacher’s mindset while Saad has garnered attention as the nation's second-leading goal scorer with his howitzer shot from anywhere in the attacking half.

Akron's pair both stand at under six feet, which could open up the aerial game for 6-foot-1-inch Meram. Michigan’s forwards will have to get the better of the matchup in order to win.

Edge: Push

Michigan’s wingers vs. Akron’s fullbacks

Perhaps the best player on Akron’s team, star junior right back Kofi Sarkodie, is a dynamic force attacking down the wing, as his hat trick against the Wolverines in October showed. Akron’s whole formation is based around Sarkodie’s bombing runs, so the Wolverine left winger (likely senior Alex Wood or freshman Fabio Perreria) will have to double down in tracking back on defense.

The Michigan right wingers matched up against Akron left back Chad Korb should be a much more quiet affair. The more defensive left back should swallow up sophomore Latif Alashe attacks down the wing.

Michigan will likely try to play the ball in the middle of the park to avoid the intimidating Zip fullbacks, but expect Kofi Sarkodie to wreak havoc again.

Edge: Akron

Michigan’s center midfield vs. Akron’s center midfield

This matchup will be defined by Michigan sophomore attacking midfielder Hamoody Saad against freshman Akron defensive midfielder Perry Kitchen. A standout of the US youth national team, Kitchen is an expert ball winner and distributor — the lynchpin of Akron’s defense and devastating counter-attack.

Saad is the quarterback of the Michigan attack, distributing balls to the forwards and wings with great precision. If Kitchen shuts him down and disrupts his passing, expect the Michigan offense to falter.

Not to be outdone, Akron senior Anthony Ampaipitakwong is Kitchen’s dynamic partner. He has quickness and passing that will be difficult for the Wolverines to handle. Michigan will have to make sure that redshirt junior Adam Shaw avoids turnovers in the center of the park lest he unleash Akron on the counter-attack.

In Alashe and Saad the Wolverines have two talents who have helped lead the offense. But they’re not ready for two projected first-round MLS players that they will be going up against.

Edge: Akron

Michigan’s fullbacks vs. Akron’s wingers

Akron sports another standout in redshirt junior left-winger Michael Nanchoff. He is a goal scorer who provides great crosses and electrifies with his darting runs down the field. Nanchoff is partnered with sophomore Scott Caldwell who has been a postseason dynamo for Akron, tallying all four of his career goals in postseason games.

Chase Tennant and Jeff Quijano are the two senior fullbacks for the Wolverines. Shutting down the Akron wings is a tall order.