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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 8,417
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 8,417
I have been paying particular attention to the shifting landscape of men's collegiate soccer and, since USC is in my backyard, broke down the first seven Gamecock opponents in terms of their record and rosters.

For example, first year coach Tony Annan is currently 2-5-0 and inherited a program from Hall of Fame Coach Mark Berson who had directed the program's entire 43-year history since 1978. South Carolina compiled a 39-43-6 mark the past five years (2016-20) with two winning campaigns under Berson who won 511 matches at USC. Berson, a University of North Carolina alum, led The Citadel to an 11-5-0 record in 1977 before his arrival in Columbia where he guided the Gamecocks to 22 NCAA Tournaments and 35 winning seasons.

Score Result Opponent Record Players USA/SC International
0-1 ot L CHARLESTON (2-2-2) 27 15/9 12
4-1 W WINTHROP (2-3-0) 31 20/8 11
0-5 L @ Clemson (7-1-0) 30 21/6 9
1-2 L PRESBYTERIAN (4-1-1) 33 19/3 14
1-4 L COASTAL C.* (2-1-4) 36 17/0 19
0-1 L USC UPSTATE (2-4-1) 23 6/5 17
2-1 W MERCER (3-4-0) 25 22/0 3
South Carolina (2-5-0) 27 23/3 4
*Conference USA match

As you can see most of the USC foes are from the Palmetto State. By my count, that is 232 players from eight teams for an average roster size of 29 that includes 34 players (14.7%) from South Carolina, 143 from non-SC USA states (61.6%), and 89 internationals (38.3%).

Remaining 2021 schedule:
9/25 @ Charlotte*
9/28 GARDNER-WEBB
10/3 FLORIDA ATLANTIC*
10/9 @ UAB*
10/12 GEORGIA SOUTHERN
10/16 FIU*
10/23 @ Kentucky*
10/30 @ Marshall*
11/5 OLD DOMINION*

I am going to keep tabs on this as the season continues. Feel free to chime in with your own thoughts.

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 64
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Joined: Feb 2017
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Kyle, I follow Clemson really closely as I work here. What are you trying to look at? Or I guess what insights are you trying to decipher? Is it mainly the amount of SC/Non-SC/Intl players on roster? And if that has any bearing on the results?

Joined: Dec 2001
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World Cup
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,677
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I have a huge issue as a high school and youth soccer coach that our D2 schools have largely abandoned the in-state player in favor of rosters littered with internationals. I am afraid that the only way "the genie will get back in the bottle" is if college/university administrations intervene or if the NCAA regulates how many internationals can count towards your game-day roster (i.e. five of 24 et al).


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