Clemson men’s soccer went out on top in 2021, winning the National Championship, but just like previous off-seasons, the team has to transition into a new era.
Since the run to the national championship, the team has lost six players to the 2022 Major Leage Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft. As a result, the team has changed its lineup and new players are stepping into key leadership roles.
After losing two midfielders to the MLS SuperDraft, the Tigers have changed their lineup of midfielders.
Players like Dylan Sullivan, Ousmane Sylla, Alvaro Gomez and Brandon Parrish have shown through the team’s two spring games that they are integral players from the midfield for the Tigers in 2022.
In Clemson’s first game against the Greenville Triumph on Feb. 26, the Tigers kept the ball rolling on their success from the last season, securing a 2-0 victory and displaying the midfield talent.
After a scoreless first half, junior defender Isaiah Reid passed the ball to sophomore midfielder Brandon Parrish, who was then fouled by a defender for the Greenville Triumph. Parrish was awarded a penalty kick which he made. This was also the Tigers’ first goal of the 2022 season.
Later in the second half, Sylla, a sophomore, found rising freshman forward Tim Ströbeck, who proceeded to score the second goal for the Tigers.
Notably, sophomore goalie Trevor Manion, saved all of the attempts made by the Triumph. Manion replaced George Marks, after Marks was drafted to Charlotte FC.
On Saturday, March 5, the Tigers faced UNC in an exhibition game, in which other new players stepped into starting roles.
Alongside Ströbeck, the starting lineup featured freshmen Elton Chifamba and Adam Lundegard, as well as sophomores Hamady Diop, Enrique Montana III, Titus Sandy Jr., Sylla and Manion. The junior starters for the Tigers were Sullivan, Gomez and Reid.
In the first half, Ströbeck narrowly missed a goal. Soon thereafter, Reid continued his momentum from the 2021 season, narrowly missing a goal.
Reid seamlessly transitioned from defense to offense, playing as both a forward and a defender. He stands out as a key leader for the Tigers.
The Tigers continue to show the confidence and spirit that led them to the top of college soccer and players have solidified roles as leaders on the team.
The Tigers play again Saturday, March 12 at Historic Riggs Field, where they will face Maryland at 7 p.m.
