FRISCO, Texas -- A total of eight players in this year's event are from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. So, it wasn't a big surprise that during Thursday's press conferences, the players' thoughts on being back home was a popular topic of conversation.
Wake Forest sophomore midfielder Corben Bone hails from Plano, a Dallas suburb. "It's really exciting. I haven't been back to Texas. I don't get to come back too often being so far away. So it's good to come back and have the College Cup here. My family can come watch and I'm really excited to go after another championship here in my hometown. I can't wait."
"It feels great," said Maryland defender Omar Gonzalez, a Dallas native. "I spent several months here (with FC Dallas), practicing with the guys and playing with the Super Group of Dallas Cup. So, just being back here brings back a whole lot of memories. I'd like to repeat that (success) and win the College Cup championship. That would be great."
North Carolina junior defender Ben Clack is from Duncanville and he too is glad to be back. "The last time I played here was my senior year (of high school) 3-1/2 years ago. So it is good to be back home and see my family. It's a little different here this time. We are here for business this time, not to relax. I am excited and glad it is being hosted in North Texas this year."
Supporting their alma maters: Each of the four storied programs have produced their share of players in Major League Soccer. At least among current or former FC Dallas players, a number of them are expected to be in attendance.
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Cheering on Maryland will be current FCD defender Michael Dello-Russo and former Hoops forward Abe Thompson, who is now with Kansas City. Jamie Watson (North Carolina) will be cheering on the Tar Heels. Other FCD players in attendance will be defender Drew Moor and forward Kenny Cooper, the 2008 MLS Comeback Player of the Year and member of the league's Best XI.
Much love for the ACC: One of the biggest stories with this year's College Cup is that it features three teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference, considered one of the best leagues for college men's soccer in the nation. It was also a frequent topic of conversation on Thursday.
"I think it shows we're a good, strong conference top-to-bottom," Bolowich said. "There were some questions about ACC soccer and I think three teams is quite a statement."
Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski agreed. "Every single game we play is pretty tough," he said. "I know every ACC game we have is an all-out battle to get the win. It's been a very good year for us and going up, hopefully against another ACC team in the championship game would be a very good thing. It just shows how good the conference is."
But Masur, who coaches the lone non-ACC team in the event, St. John's, wanted to discuss his own league, the Big East Conference.
"We are proud of Big East soccer," he said. We think it is fantastic. We have 16 great teams, teams that are nationally renowned every year. We have our share of guys who do well."
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