Syracuse and Clemson soccer

[Sean Miller Fan]

Honestly, I didnt know Syracuse had a soccer team until I saw they were ranked #1. I thought it was maybe the women's program. I dont really follow college soccer but I know enough to know who the traditionally good teams and I never remembered us even playing Syracuse in the Big East. I knew that teams like UConn, SJU, and RU were usually pretty good.

How the heck is a place like Syracuse #1 in soccer? That's got to be one of the worst soccer markets in America. Also, how does a school like Clemson, which also is in one of the worst soccer markets in the nation win the ACC, the toughest league in America? Maybe there IS hope for Pitt soccer.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Actually....

Western New York is something of a soccer hotbed. The Rochester USL Pro team always draws well, and if the market was bigger they'd probably have an MLS team. And there is also a womens pro team in whatever that league is currently called in Western New York, and they have drawn pretty well (given the level of the game) as well. And the US womens national team plays games in that area just about every year, because they usually get good crowds.

I don't know that any of that is some sort of recipe for a top college soccer team, but to call that area one of the worst soccer markets in America is just simply not true.

 

[thom67]

Clemson has soccer tradition, having won the NCAA championship in the past.as well as being in the ACC. Very important is that they play soccer outside year round in SC.

 

[eastender2]

Re: Actually....

Abby Wambach is also from western New York.

 

[Fk_Pitt]

Yes. Rochester is a good soccer area. SC not as much. Generally speaking, there is more talent in western PA than those two areas though. The poor history of soccer in western PA will cause some people to gawk at my statement, but youth soccer results on a Regional and national level over the past five years strongly supports my statement.

Another thing...I watched Clemson vs Virginia men a couple weeks back on cable and enjoyed it. On a slow sports viewing night, I was glad to see an ACC olympic sports game on cable.

Lastly, I don't follow men's college soccer, but if Akron can win a national title a few years ago--then anyone can.

Oh yeah, and unrelated to men's soccer, we will soon find out that good ol Smiley made another poor coaching hire that set yet another olympic sports program back a few years. Stay tuned.
This post was edited on 11/21 1:29 PM by fkthomas