September 3, 2002
GREENVILLE, SC -- Furman men's soccer players Ricardo Clark and Chefik Simo gained valuable international experience when they traveled with the United States U-20 National Team for two weeks this preseason to compete in the Torneo Internacional de L'Alcunia in Spain.
Clark, a sophomore from Jonesboro, Ga, helped lead the U-20 squad to a second place finished as they lost to Brazil 1-0 in the final. Simo, a freshman from Frisco, Texas, started all five matches, helping to solidify the U.S. defense. Clark and Simo departed for Spain on August 19 and returned on August 30 in time for Furmanšs season opener, a 3-0 victory over The Citadel on Monday.
The Americans lost their first match, to Brazil, 2-1. The U.S. bounced back against Italy in its second match, taking a 2-1 victory. The third U.S. game, saw the Americans take a 5-2 victory over Ukraine, pushing the U.S. into the tournament semifinals. In the semifinal game against Uraguay, the U.S. prevailed 3-1 earning a birth in the tournament final and a rematch against Brazil.
For the Americans, the final against Brazil was their fifth match in six nights. The U.S., which led the tournament with 11 goals, recovered from its first round defeat by Brazil to win three straight games and advance to the final in what is considered the top summer U-20 tournament in the world.
"Playing against the best teams in the world was a great experience for us," said Simo. "Our performance shows that U.S. soccer has risen to the level of Brazil, Italy, and other traditional soccer powers."
Of the five U.S. matches, Clark played 317 minutes, appearing in four matches, and Simo played 385 minutes, starting all five contests.
"This experience has really helped us individually," said Clark. "Any time that you play against the best teams in the world and the level of play is so high, your skills continue to improve, and you really mature as a player."
The Paladins return to action this weekend as they host the Spinx/Land Rover Invitaional. Furman will face Butler on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and will take on Creighton on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.