NCAA men's soccer College Cup: Schedule and players to watch
College soccer's Final Four takes place this weekend at Talen Energy Stadium. Here's a look at the matchups, how to watch the games, and which players might be pros in the future.
College soccer's Final Four will take place this weekend at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester. All the teams that have made their way here are past champions, including the two-time reigning title winner. Here's a look at the matchups, how to watch the games, and which players might be in Major League Soccer in the future.
Schedule
6 p.m.: No. 9 Stanford vs. No. 5 Akron
8:45 p.m.: No. 3 North Carolina vs. No. 2 Indiana
1 p.m.: Championship game
TV/streaming: ESPNU for the semifinals, ESPN2 for the final; WatchESPN.com for all three games. Glenn Davis and Kate Markgraf call the action.
Tickets: Available here. All-session passes start at $45 for adults and $35 for children 14 and younger. Single-day tickets start at $33 and $23.
Past national championships
Indiana: 8 (1982, 1983, 1988, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2012)
Stanford: 2 (2015, 2016)
North Carolina: 2 (2001, 2011)
Akron: 1 (2010)
Players to watch
Defender Tomas Hilliard-Arce: Renowned college soccer scouting website TopDrawerSoccer.com calls him "the top pro prospect on display this weekend" and says he has "the speed, size and know-how to succeed in MLS."
Forward Foster Langsdorf: The Portland Timbers academy product has been the Cardinal's top scorer since Jordan Morris left for the pros. Langsdorf has 13 goals and six assists this year, after a 15-goal campaign in 2016.
Defender Morgan Hackworth: The son of former Union manager John Hackworth is a Union academy product in his own right. He'll return to his old home this weekend as a stalwart on the Zips' back line.
Forward Stuart Holthusen: He played for New Zealand at the 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. His 12 goals this season include two in the College Cup, highlighted by an overtime winner against Wisconsin in the round of 16.
Defender Will Campbell: A Wallingford native and product of Strath Haven High and the Union academy. He is just a freshman and hasn't played much this season. It wouldn't be surprising if he joins the Union before graduating.
Midfielder Cameron Lindley: He's a product of the Chicago Fire academy and a U.S. youth national team program regular, and has been on a pro track for some time.
Midfielder Griffin Dorsey: He's reported to be a target for an offer to join MLS' Generation Adidas program, which pays above-average salaries to college players to get them to turn pro early.
Defender Grant Lillard: The centerback anchors a stingy Hoosiers defense that has allowed just six goals in the entire season. He's also a Fire academy product.