The Clemson men’s soccer team has undergone a stretch of incredible accolades over the past five years.
Through champions of the ACC to graduates and players in the MLS, head coach Mike Noonan has developed one of the greatest college soccer programs as of late.
It starts with the physical trophies that Noonan has helped bring to the club: championships. The Tigers have won three regular season championships since the 2019 season, which is rewarded to the team with the best record in ACC play. Clemson has done it three times in the last five seasons. In addition, when playing in the ACC Tournament, the team has won it all twice, mot recently last season in penalty kick shootouts.
The standout (or two) trophy for Clemson United has been their national championship endeavors, winning two national titles in the last three seasons. A 2-0 win in 2021 and a 2-1 win in this past season granted the Tigers their third and fourth national title, becoming one in few to win four or more titles.
Perhaps one of the most important things that prospects look for in a soccer school is players who make it to the professional level. The Tigers have brought plenty of players to the top leagues, but they have had two players be the No. 1 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft. In 2020, forward Robbie Robinson was picked with the first overall selection, joining Inter Miami. In 2022, defender Hamady Diop was marked as the second Tiger who was selected first overall, joining local Charlotte F.C.
Another important topic that prospects want to have when playing at a school for soccer: personal accolades. Once again, Noonan has had two players win the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is given to the best player in all of college soccer. Leading this, again, is Robinson, who won it in 2019. Most recently, midfielder Ousmane Sylla took it home this past season for Clemson, following an incredible campaign and cementing himself as a legend for Clemson United.
Every coach at Clemson emphasizes academics heavily, and the Tigers have not let Noonan down either. Since 2019, Clemson United has had 32 players graduate, an incredible accomplishment for anybody playing a college sport.
It’s an incredible time to be Clemson Tiger, especially on the soccer field, who have seen nothing but winners over the past five years at Historic Riggs Field.
