August 22, 2001
GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman University will welcome the United States Under-17 National Team to campus on Friday, August 24 for a 7:00 p.m. exhibition match. Admission is free.
The U.S. Under-17 team will be in town through Sunday, August 26. The Greenville Futbol Club (GFC) is hosting the weekend of soccer in the upstate. Sponsoring the event are the Hyatt Regency Greenville, the Greenville Lions, Jenišs Lee Restaurant, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and the Greenville Futbol Club.
The match at Furman's Eugene E. Stone III Soccer Stadium on Friday night will kick-off the weekend. The U.S. Under-17 team will participate in Soccer Day at the GFC Fields on Ridge Road on Saturday and will face Clemson on Sunday at Clemson.
"It is not everyday you get a chance to host a youth national team," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "This is a great opportunity for both Furman and the Greenville area. It will give us a chance to showcase this University and our program to some of the best youth soccer players in the country."
The current United States Under-17 National Team consists of 18 members including two current MLS players. The squad will arrive in Greenville on Thursday and will hold a 6:00 p.m. practice at Furmanšs Eugene Stone Soccer III Stadium.
Furman is currently ranked fifth in the nation by Soccer America and seventh by College Soccer News. The Paladins were picked to win the SoCon for the fourth straight year as they claimed all eight eligible first place votes in the Southern Conference coaches poll. Furman opens the regular season Friday, August 31 against Belmont.
U.S. Under-17 National Team Schedule
Friday, August 24: U-17 National Team vs. Furman, 7:00
Saturday, August 25: Soccer Day at GFC Fields Ridge Road
Sunday, August 26: U-17 National Team vs. Clemson, 2:00