Match Central
CLEMSON, S.C. — The top-seeded Clemson men’s soccer team (13-3-2) is set to face American University (4-1-3) in the Second Round of the 2020 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, May 2. The match will be played at Spry Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., at 4 p.m. Fans can enjoy the match by either purchasing tickets, watching live on ESPN3, or following along with live stats.
This year’s tournament marks Clemson’s 33rd appearance in program history, along with it serving as the first time since 1998 the Tigers have earned the tournament’s top seed. American earned its first tournament appearance in 17 seasons after winning the Patriot League title on April 17 over then-No. 24 Lafayette, 2-1. On April 29, American advanced from its First Round match after downing Jacksonville in PKs, 5-4, following a 3-3 scoreline at the end of double-overtime.
The winner of Sunday’s match between Clemson and American will advance to the Third Round on May 6 to face either Fordham or Marshall in Cary, N.C.
Sunday’s contest will be the fourth time in series history and the first since Sept. 19, 1986, that the two programs play one another. Clemson holds a 4-0-0 record through the early part of the series and has outscored American, 8-1. The Tigers and Eagles had their first two meetings come during the national tournament, as Clemson won those matches thanks to score lines of 4-0 and 1-0. Sunday’s match will be the second time in series history Clemson faces American as the nation’s No. 1 team and serves as the fifth time the programs meet while Clemson ranks within the top-5 nationally.
The Tigers enter this year’s NCAA tournament with a record of 54-28-5 in tournament play and national championships from the 1984 and 1987 seasons. In matches during the tournament’s Round of 32, Clemson is 13-1-1. As Clemson takes the pitch at Spry Stadium, it will be just the seventh neutral venue the Tigers will have played at during its history in the NCAA Tournament. Across its 33 appearances, Clemson has registered 176 goals and shutout its opponent on 26 occasions.
Clemson will return to action on Sunday after having last played on April 17 against then-No. 1 Pittsburgh under the lights of Historic Riggs Field for a chance to earn the ACC’s automatic bid into this year’s national tournament. In the match, Clemson defeated Pittsburgh, 2-0, and recorded its third victory over the nation’s No. 1 team this season, along with it being the eleventh time in program history.
Fans wishing to attend Sunday’s match must purchase a ticket to gain entry. Tickets for all Second Round matches at Spry Stadium can be purchased here.
For all of the most up-to-date information regarding Clemson men’s soccer, be sure to reference clemsontigers.com and follow @ClemsonMSoccer on Twitter.
