Returning players in stands for recent rivalry clash
CLEMSON — They looked like five average guys.
Standing on the top row of the stands at Riggs Field, they looked down at the South Carolina men's soccer team warming up on the field, talking among themselves about all the new faces on the team.
They are far from five average guys, though. In fact, they are five of USC soccer's all-time greatest players — Jimmy Maurer, Blake Brettschneider, Sam Arthur, Evan O'Dell and Tyler Ruthven — doing something they never did in their years in garnet and black: watching the game.
"It's strange," Brettschneider said. "It's definitely weird to be back here and to not be able to be on the field doing warm-ups. I don't think I ever went to a Carolina game while I was there that I didn't play in. It's nice to be back here and support the team, but it's definitely strange to not be suited up tonight."
Being in the stands was a completely new feeling for Maurer, Brettschneider, Arthur and O'Dell, who all just graduated. Ruthven played his last season for USC in 2008, so he's had some experience. To make their first return to South Carolina soccer as alumni at Clemson was symbolic of their Gamecock careers.
Not only were the four undefeated against the rival Tigers, they shut them out all four times.
"The game is huge," said Maurer of the rivalry. "It's early on in the season, and you always have got a lot of nerves. You're seeing how the season is going to go as well. Getting the shutout all four yours was great, and it was a confidence builder as well. It's just a great achievement."
At USC, there's a special category for players who save their best for Clemson. As the group passed the torch to the players on the field, it was strange, as they didn't know most of the guys wearing the Gamecock uniforms.
"I talked to one or two of them and a couple of the coaching staff," Brettschneider said. "Unfortunately, it's a pretty different group than what we played with last year, but I still have some connections to the team and some good friends, so obviously I wish them well. It's definitely a lot different of a group from last year."
The five took their seats among Clemson's record-breaking crowd and watched as their streak of four straight wins came to an end as Clemson came out victorious with a 2-0 score. After a controversial call that gave Danny Cates his second yellow of the game, resulting in a red card and subsequent ejection, coach Mark Berson and his staff were fuming after the match. Yet, at the mention of the five guys who were sitting in the stands, Berson immediately softened.
"What a great feeling to see some of the alumni," Berson said. "It's a great group, and it was great for them to be here. We really appreciate it."
With Brettschneider and Maurer playing in the MLS and Ruthven in the NASL, the rivalry was a reason for the players to be reunited, not only with each other but also with their old coaching staff and teammates. However, they're aware that they've moved on.
"It's a dream come true," said Brettschneider of playing for D.C. United. "Being a professional soccer player, it's everything I've wanted since I was a little kid, so while it's hard to sit here and not be playing this game, I wouldn't trade my position for anything in the world."
Before the season, Berson commented on how the success of the alumni in the stands as well as other former Gamecocks who play professional soccer now serves as an inspiration to this year's squad.
"I think the players that went before Blake [Brettschneider], Mark Wiltse, Will Traynor, Jimmy Maurer and all those boys that went on to sign and play professional — I think the players that have come before them in the South Carolina program were examples for them to follow," Berson said. "It's no doubt that Blake is a guy that our guys now are looking at and going, 'Wow, that's a tremendous achievement that I would like to achieve also.' No question those guys are great examples of what you can do."
So, as the five guys looked down at the young players warming up on the field, whether they knew it or not, the team was looking up to them.