COLLEGE PARK, Md. - There's a whole lot to be excited about if you are a Maryland Soccer fan this season. With the return of the best goal scorer in the country, a highly-touted recruiting class and more games on national television than ever before, let's break it down in Starting XI form.
11. Newcomers
Maryland welcomes 11 new guys to the 2017 roster, including UCLA transfer Chase Gasper and Belmont transfer Eli Crognale. Sophomore Johannes Bergmann, a native of Germany, joined the Terps this fall as well as incoming freshman Misha de Waal-Hart, Paul Frendach, Eric Matzelevich, Gio Vasquez, Ben Di Rosa, Matt Di Rosa, Alejandro Chacon and Fola Adetola.
10. Big Ten
The Maryland men's soccer team was picked to win the 2017 Big Ten Conference title according to a poll released by the league's coaches earlier this month.
9. (9) Dayne St. Clair
Maryland will have a new guy between the sticks this season as Dayne St. Clair takes over for 2016 Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year Cody Niedermeier.
St. Clair saw limited action as a freshman, securing a shutout against St. John's, but has extensive international experience, spending a bulk of his time competing for the Canadian National Team. The 6-4 keeper was a two-sport athlete in high school, also exceling in volleyball.
8. Gordon Wild
The Terps welcome back arguably the best player in the nation this season as 2016 MAC Hermann Trophy finalist Gordon Wild returns for his junior season.
A native of Cologne, Germany, Wild was the 2016 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, ranking in the top three nationally in both goals and points for the Big Ten tournament and regular season champion Terps. A First Team All-Big Ten pick, Wild also garnered Big Ten Tournament Most Valuable Offensive Player honors in his first season in College Park after transferring from USC Upstate where he scored 16 goals as a rookie. His 17 goals in 2016 were the most for a Terrapin since two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner and current D.C. United forward Patrick Mullins.
7. Terps on TV
Maryland will have at least seven contests broadcast on national television, including six on the Big Ten Network. The Terps will play host to the first two games on the BTN schedule this fall as it's highly-anticipated matches versus UCLA (Sept. 1) and Indiana (Sept. 8) at Ludwig Field will appear on the network. Additionally, home games against Rutgers (Sept. 12), Georgetown (Oct. 17) and Michigan (Oct. 29) will air live on BTN. Maryland's away contest at Wisconsin on Oct. 13 will be televised on ESPNU. The Big Ten Tournament will also be broadcast on BTN.
6. Ranking in United Coaches' Soccer Preseason Poll
The Maryland men's soccer team is ranked No. 6 by the United Soccer Coaches (formerly known as the NSCAA) preseason poll. A total of five teams in the preseason poll appear on Maryland's 2017 docket, including No. 7 Indiana, No. 19 Coastal Carolina, No. 21 UCLA, No. 22 Michigan State and No. 24 Connecticut.
5. Five straight conference tournament championships
The Terps made it five in a row with its 2-1 victory over Wisconsin last season in the 2016 Big Ten Championship. Maryland has won all three tournament titles, and two regular season crowns, since joining the conference in 2014.
4. Returning All-Big Ten performers
Maryland brings back four All-Big Ten selections including Gordon Wild, Amar Sejdic, Eryk Williamson and Donovan Pines. Wild – who was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch list earlier this summer – was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year last season. Wild joined Sejdic on the Big Ten First Team while Williamson garnered second team honors. Pines was tabbed to the All-Freshman Team.
3. Preseason Perfection
The Terps finished the preseason slate with a perfect 3-0 record, highlighted by a 3-0 rout of No. 8 Syracuse last Saturday.
Gordon Wild scored all three goals in the 3-0 victory for Maryland, which officially begins the season next Friday at Santa Clara.
The Terps also defeated St. John's 2-1 and American 3-0. Miles Stray and DJ Reeves scored in the win over St. John's while freshman Eric Matzelevich (2) and Emmanuel Korvah provided the offense in the victory against American.
2. (5) – Sasho's 25th season
The Terps will be celebrating head coach Sasho Cirovski's 25th season in 2017. Upon his arrival in College Park in 1993, Sasho Cirovski has transformed Maryland into a national soccer power, leading the Terps to the 2008 and 2005 NCAA titles, seven College Cup appearances, and 15 conference titles, all the while producing numerous top-level professional players. Cirovski has instilled his passion for excellence in a soccer program that expects to compete for the national title every season.
During his tenure with the Terps, Maryland has been to the NCAA Tournament 22 times, advancing to the College Cup in eight of those years, including four-straight appearances from 2002-05, culminating in the NCAA title in 2005. The Terps have also captured eight conference tournament titles (1996, 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016) and six conference regular season titles (2003, 2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 20015) during his stay in College Park.
1. Top Attendance in the nation last season
Repeatedly one of the top venues in college soccer, Ludwig Field was once again rockin' last season, leading the nation in attendance. The Terps averaged more than 4,000 fans per match and welcomed over 52,000 total fans to College Park in 2016. That tally also led the Big Ten Conference, nearly doubling second-place Indiana.
Like what you read? Season tickets are available NOW for $80 for adults and $50 for youth and seniors. Season tickets can be purchased here and include a limited edition 2017 Maryland Soccer scarf.
