SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums College, Pro & International Soccer Clemson/USC Aug. 25th

So Stroke will stop posting in every other decent thread. I have made this one.. for him to post his 2-1 prediction.

I don't know about a prediction.. but I'm definitely looking forward to this.

Jack,
I think I will be attending. Looking forward to seeing you there.

clemson by 9

Is that American football you are thinking about?

clemson 63- carolina 17. high scoring game.

i'm thinking about soccer...i dont know what you are thinking about stroker

HAHA ..nice.

Clemson tied for 5th in pre-season. Carolina 24th.
http://www.nscaa.com/seniorRes.php?it=83

are the rankings based on the schedule? or how does it work in the NCAA? obviously based on wins or losses; but for example Duke is 12-5-3 but they are ranked higher than UNC Greensboro, who is 16-6-2, so what are the other factors?

2 All-American preseason Keepers on Friday. Will it be a defensive match?
http://uscsports.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/082206aab.html

..look at this crazy birthday cake.. wtf..

Who cares about a birthday cake? You need more quality posts.
I see you are down to 4 stars.

Now just 3 stars..............

I've been around the Gamecocks' program since its inception in 1978 ... The game hasn't changed much, but the types of players have -- its so much more athletic these days.

Starting from the back, Mike Gustavson (South Aiken HS) returns for his sophomore campaign and is a menace between the pipes ... At 6-4, 184, Gustavson is one of the nation's top net minders in the country and was tabbed the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2005 as well as being selected to the league's Second Team ... He continues South Carolina's tradition of great goalkeeping along with the likes of Charles Arndt, Warren Lipka, Brad Guzan, etc.

The back line is anchored by senior Makan Hislop of Trinidad & Tobago ... A four year starter, the 6-4, 209-pound figure is a stalwart for the Gamecocks' defense ... He played with the T&T Under-21 squad this summer ... Ryan Leeton (5-11, 185) has tallied more than 40 starts as a defender at USC and he is a heady player ... The Texas native should have a big senior season at Carolina ... Ralph Pace is a player that I really liked watching last year after transferring from Massachusetts ... He's a defensive midfielder and the native of Virginia uses his size (6-2, 203) well and is very good in the air ... Daniel Upchurch (6-1, 181) is another smart guy that plays in the back and the junior from the Lone Star state should have more of an impact this year after making 15 starts as a freshman, but was limited to just three games a year ago ... Brennan Williams (5-7, 151) of Cardinal Newman HS is another cog in the Gamecocks' defense ... He plays outside and has a good pace as a man-marker.

Ramon Paracat (5-9, 183) is a junior from New York ... He's got a cannon of a leg and is kind of a hybrid defensive midfielder, who splits time as a defender as well ... Paracat is a nephew of USC baseball associate head coach Jim Toman ... Rob Charest (5-11, 166) is another transfer from UMass who will be a senior this year ... He's a good athlete who should be a mainstay in the midfield for USC this fall ... J.D. Moon (5-10, 150) of Georgia is a play-making midfielder and should collect his fair share of assists this season ... He is a hard working player with a good motor ... Kevan Hawkins (5-9, 151) played in 16 games as a true freshman last year ... He will be counted on for quality minutes this season ... David Smith (5-11, 176) , another Texan, saw action in 13 matches a year ago with two starts -- he figures to be a key component in 2006 ... The diminuitive Spencer Lewis (5-6, 140) of Irmo HS is an exciting play-maker in the middle and really came on strong at the end of the '06 campaign ... Look for him to contribute even more this year.

Up front is an exciting duo of Mike Sambursky (5-10, 180) and Ayo Akinsete (5-11, 200) ... The pair have combined for 32 goals at USC (Sambursky 13 & Akinsete 19) and compliment each other very well ... Sambursky, who in my opinion is excellent at a wing midfield spot or up top ranging wide, has been tabbed by C-USA as the "Preseason Offensive Player of the Year" after earning First Team All-South Region and C-USA honors a year ago ... A two-year starter, the Texas native is primed for a super senior season! ... Akinsete reminds me of a bull in a China shop -- he's reckless and great at the same time ... He has a great drive about him when he channels his emotions and "want to" and it makes him almost impossible to defend ... However, he can sulk, too, but that is the chance you take with the Nigerian native, who was raised in London, England ... He has started all but three contests since arriving in Columbia and notched 44 points (19 goals, 6 assists) in his Carolina career.

Keep an eye on these newcomers: M/D Mario Burstein; F Jamal Geathers (South Aiken HS); D/M Sam Roca; D/M Jeff Scanella; and M/D Mark Wiltse.

The Gamecocks finished 12-7-2 overall last year and 7-1-1 in Conference USA ... South Carolina made the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season, but USC has not won a postseason match since 1998 and that needs to change in 2006 -- the Gamecocks did not make the playoffs in 1999 or 2003 ... USC whipped Presbyterian, 7-0, in a preseason scrimmage, but I think that is more of a testament to where PC is these days than what to expect vs. Clemson on Friday ... The '06 slate is favorable for USC as the Tigers and Southern Methodist are the only ranked teams on the 16-game schedule ... My early thoughts of a 10-3-3 record and runner-up finish to SMU in C-USA is on the docket for 8/21/06.

Is Jamal Geathers still on the team?

bruin,
His name is no longer on the roster.
http://uscsports.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/scar-m-soccer-mtt.html

bruin,

The last I knew of USC's roster, JG was still on the team ... I don't know if that has changed or not ... You've gotten to be pretty good at finding out who is/isn't on the squad -- how about keeping us posted on what's going on over at the USC campus?

who is that guy?

Kevin,
Why are you keeping this a secret from us??? Enjoy it. Broadcasting the games can be a lot of fun.

Beginning with Friday's match against Clemson, all nine home soccer matches this fall will be broadcast live on the South Carolina's official athletics web site, USCsports.com. A permanent link to the broadcast page is located on the right-hand side of the men's soccer page. Click Listen Live to access the broadcast.

Matt Younginer will handle play-by-play duties and will be joined by several guest analysts throughout the season. Kevin Heise will offer color commentary for the season opener against the Tigers. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

does anyone know why certain SC players are no longer listed on the USC roster. In the press release about the CU game by USCsports.com, it states at the bottom that the Gamecocks roster has 7 in-state players. They list those players as Goose, Breenan Williams, Spencer Lewis, Trey Foster, Paddy Flynn, Winstead, and Reardon. When you look on the roster, only these players are listed. Any idea what has happened to Przybyla, Jamal, and Andrew Evans?

USC, Tigers kick off tonight (The State)

I'll be there! Heard coach Bearson on the radio this mornign.

I'll be there as well [although I'd rather be in Illinois watching the USC women's opener!] Go USC!

Last year before a raucous Tiger crowd, USC was up 1-0 with 38 secs. to go. Tigers put one in to take it to 2OT where Tigers prevailed 2-1. USC should have the raucous crowd this year, and could pull the upset. 2 pre-season All-American keepers, quality defenses and offenses on both sides...........should be a good one.

Stroke - Just drop my birthday present off in the pressbox..I'll pick it up at halftime.

Goooooooo Gooooooosssseeeee and Skyyyyyyllllerrr!!

Dudeman,
Will do. But just to make sure no one else in the press box absconds with your gift, I will tell you it is a Michael Jackson action figure for your collection.

mmm.. perhaps that's an acceptable gift for all the little neighborhood boys.. but not me buddy.

Dudeman,
Prediction on the game?

As a new transfer to Carolina..from Clemson. I'll say..

I predict a good game.

4-3 Clemson Final

Great atmosphere at Stone Stadium tonight ... Simply, unbelievable! ... There were more than 5,000 fans tonight for the South Carolina/Clemson match and that in itself is a testament to the health of soccer in the Palmetto State.

I've been around USC soccer since 1978 and I've never seen a crowd larger than that one (tonight's was listed as the 10th-largest), but most of the others were with just "The Graveyard" surroundings -- no permanent stands.

Clemson entered tonight's match ranked #5 nationally, while Carolina came in at #24 ... Both teams were shaky defensively as the seven goals indicate, especially in the net where nationally reknowned Phil Marfuggi of Clemson and Mike Gustavson of South Carolina, seemed to be on pins-and-needles all night ... Throw in the make-shift back line of South Carolina's, which featured no Makan Hislop and Mario Burstein, and the night was wild to say the least.

If I was scoring the possession, there is no doubt that the Tigers held a 60-40 advantage through 90 minutes and you have to respect Coach Trevor Adair's team for its resiliency when they avenged 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 deficits en route to the 4-3 victory ... The final stat sheets labels Clemson with an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks, but it sure seemed like more for the Tigers, who seemingly attacked the Gamecocks in their 1/3 of the field all night ... USC made brilliant use of its opportunities and was aided by a stuck-in-the-mud netminder, Marfuggi -- he was awful ... However, CU was much more physical than USC and really controlled the midfield with Mark Bucholz and Frederico Moojen, while Dane Richards was an absolute beast up top with his speed ... I felt the referee Carlos Hernandez did a really good job of letting the play dictate the game, but his linesmen left him out to dry several times (one in particular when CU's #17 - M. Usry - was seen kicking a downed USC player midway through the second half in the penalty box, totally uncalled for).

No losers tonight except in the win/loss column! ... Great season-opening match that will be interesting to gauge the rest of the regular season from each squad, because there are many mistakes to correct ... But, what a celebration for soccer in South Carolina and kudos to all involved!

P.S. -- USC and Clemson should both compete for their conference titles in 2006 ... These are both top squads nationally and I look for a rematch come the NCAAs in November!

Couldn't agree with you more, Kyle!

I would also say that set pieces looked good tonight. The Tiger's 3rd goal (i think)..was just a beautifully executed set play.

USC also showed their quality. The first goal by David Smith was an !excellent! strike.

Last thing I would mention. I was talking to a friend last night that doesn't know much about soccer, but he was very impressed with "#3". I have to second that, I think Spencer Lewis definitely proved his worth.

Though I found myself torn between the "Cadence Call" and squeeling like a little girl when Goose made a huge save or Sambo had the ball at his feet..I thoroughly enjoyed this match. Couldn't have asked for better regulation play..and as for the winner.. might as well have tossed a coin.

tough night for both goalkeepers.

USC scored from a bending corner. haha I mean seriously that stuff happens in like rec soccer not at a scholarship level. He's not an all-american. Mike Gustavson tries to slide tackle (with feet in the box mind you) a Dane Richards who has just made up 30 yards and gotten to the ball while big-stride Mike has jogged 10? This coming after the second goal was basically an own goal in which a USC defender (think it was Brendan Williams) thighed the ball back to a mute Mike Gustavson who was alread in position to try and collect it in the first place and was no where to be found, giving Richards the easy open net toe-in. Tough night indeed.

Dane Richards is an All-American. There is a reason he starts for Jamaica.

Let's hope this doesn't set the tone for USC athletics this year against Clemson. I was over-joyed when we went up and scored 3 goals. I'm now disheartened because it looks like we can't beat Clemson at anything, football, soccer, basketball (even when they are absolutely awful. I mean seriously, bad), baseball, tiddly-winks, rocham-beau, tennis, hot-dog eating, farming, cow-tipping, drinking, you name it. I imagine we dominate them in women's track and equestriand (since we're national champs by the way at that) though which is exciting to think about. I'll go watch them because all they do is win.

I was pleased to hear that USC had two defenders not playing because I was wondering what was going on with our fullbacks last night. Yes, Dane Richards is a superb player, but USC's back line made him look like Henry.

On the positive side, I too know nothing about soccer but I thought that Spencer Lewis looked excellent. And it's hard to discredit the overall offensive effort of USC -- after all, USC scored more goals that Clemson -- unfortunately (in the case of the on-goals.)