The ACC has released the schedule for the 2020-21 Clemson men’s soccer season. The Tigers will look to continue their momentum from last year’s incredible season, in which they finished with an overall record of 18-2-2 and ACC record of 6-1-1. While the Tigers will only be playing nine regular season games, compared to last season’s 18, there is still much excitement to come for our men’s team.

Wake Forest (Sept. 18) at Home

Head Coach: Bobby Muuss, sixth season

Last Season: Wake Forest finished 16-5-2, losing to Virginia both in the ACC tournament and the NCAA semifinal. 

Outlook: Clemson lost to Wake Forest 2-3 in overtime last season, becoming their only ACC regular season loss in 2019. However, Wake Forest is ranked second to Clemson in the ACC Preseason Coaches’ Poll this season. Wake is a solid team, having amassed more wins in the last five years than any other team in NCAA Division I soccer. This will be a tough game for the Tigers early on in the year, however, whatever the outcome, the Tigers will once again face the Demon Deacons for the last game of their regular season as well. 
 

University of North Carolina (Sept. 25) at Home
Head Coach: Carlos Somoano, 10th season

Last Season: UNC finished with an overall record of 7-7-4 and an ACC record of 3-5. Their season ended with a loss to Syracuse in the first round of the ACC championship. 

Outlook: With an underwhelming 2019 season, ending without an NCAA championship appearance, the Tar Heels will be looking for redemption this year. While the Tigers and the Tar Heels never faced each other in 2019, comparing records alone it can be speculated that Clemson would have dominated. This match should not be too difficult for the Tigers; however, it should be interesting to see how the Tigers play coming off of a difficult match up against Wake Forest. Clemson will also play UNC once again later in the season.
 

University of South Carolina (Oct. 1) at UofSC

Head Coach: Mark Benson, 42nd season

Last Season: UofSC finished with an overall record of 7-9-2, and as a result they did not qualify for the NCAA championship tournament.

Outlook: UofSC is coming off of a few rough seasons, as they have not had an NCAA tournament appearance in the last three years. This will be one of the few out-of-conference games that Clemson plays this season, giving them a small break in the ACC-heavy schedule. Expect the Tigers to come out on top in this rivalry game. 
 

UAB (Oct. 5) at Home

Head Coach: Jeff Kinney, second season

Last Season: UAB finished with an overall record of 3-12-2, with one of their three wins being against UofSC. 

Outlook: For the second week in a row, the Tigers will be playing versus a non-conference team. Similar to UofSC, the Blazers had a less-than-stellar year in 2019 and did not make an appearance in the NCAA tournament. While this should not be too difficult of a match for Clemson, it will be interesting to see what, if any, changes the Tigers make coming into the second half of their season.
University of North Carolina (Oct. 9) at UNC
 

Duke (Oct. 16) at Home

Head Coach: John Kerr, 13th season

Last Season: Duke finished with a record of 7-9-2 overall and 2-5-1 in the ACC. Their season ended with a loss to NC State in the first round of the ACC championship.

Outlook: Last season, the Clemson Tigers defeated Duke 3-1 in a solid home game performance. With all three goal scorers from their last match up returning on the Tigers side, this year’s match should have a similar outcome. Given that the Blue Devils had the worst record in the ACC in the 2019 season, this should be a rather easy game for Clemson and hopefully give them momentum leading into the last few games of the season.
 

NC State (Oct. 23) at NC State

Head Coach: George Kiefer, fourth season

Last Season: NC State went 9-7-3 in the season overall and 3-4-1 in the ACC, ending their season with a loss in the second round of the ACC tournament and the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Outlook: For Clemson’s last regular season away game, they will be facing the Wolfpack and hopefully replicate 2019’s win. The Tigers recorded a shutout against the Wolfpack, beating them 3-0 last season. This year’s performance should be no different, as NC State is currently ranked on the lower end of the ACC in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

Wake Forest (Oct. 30) at Wake Forest