Five for Friday: Duke Spring and MLS Seasons Set to Get Underway

Duke Opens Spring Campaign Sunday

The Blue Devils open their spring slate of games this Sunday, Feb. 23 against Clemson. Kickoff with the Tigers is set for 2 p.m., at the 751 Field located off Cameron Blvd. It is free and open to the public. Parking is available at the jogging trail. No fan seating will be available so please bring chairs or blankets if you'd like to sit during the game.
Clemson is coming off an outstanding season in which it won 18 games, the most since 2001, scored 70 goals and posted 10 shutouts. The Tigers lost the talent of Robbie Robinson, who was picked first in the MLS Superdraft. Clemson also had two other players selected in the first two rounds.

Finalizing the Class of 2020

Head coach John Kerr is working on finalizing what is looking like an outstanding class of freshmen for the 2020 campaign. Looking to fill holes from the graduation of a talented corps of seniors, the Blue Devils have players coming in from both the United States and overseas as well as in a range of positions. Four of the current incoming rookies are rated at least four stars from Top Drawer Soccer.

MLS and USL Seasons Approaching

?That Union Academy Connection ?

Two academy products, @issa_rayyan9 & Cole Turner, connected for our third and final goal of yesterday's scrimmage!

Love that #PathToThePros ??#DOOP | @PhilaUnionII | @VSPC pic.twitter.com/wOXWcUVqAQ
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) February 2, 2020

The 2020 Major League Soccer season starts Feb. 29 with eight games. Clubs currently are playing in the CONCACAF Champions league in preparation for the regular season. Four former Blue Devils – Sean Davis and Brian White (Red Bulls), Sebastien Ibeagha (NYCFC) and Jeremy Ebobisse (Timbers) – will suit up for their games Sunday, March 1.
Former Duke standouts and MLS veterans Ali Curtis and Garth Lagerwey look to lead their respective clubs, Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders, back to the MLS Cup as general managers. Lagerwey took home the cup a year ago.
The 2018 ACC Freshman of the Year, Issa Rayyan will start his second full season as a professional with the USL side Philadelphia Union II March 7. In his first year with Bethlehem Steel FC – now Union II – Rayyan started 25 of 26 games and scored four goals and three assists.

Proch Signs Deal with Local Club

In case you missed it, standout striker Daniele Proch signed on with North Carolina FC recently. The Riva Del Garda, Italy native spearheaded Duke's offense over the course of his three seasons with the Blue Devils. He garnered All-America second team honors in 2018 and was named a Hermann Trophy semifinalist. This past season, Proch was the undisputed leader on the field, leading the team with 12 goals and five assists for 29 points. He totaled 41 percent of the team's 29 goals and 33 percent of Duke's 87 points on the year.
Proch most recently was an honorary recipient of an ACC Postgraduate Scholarship, one of eight ACC athletes who plan to pursue professional careers in their chosen sport.

"The American dream of Daniele Proch."

New signing @ProchDaniele caught up with Italian sports newspaper @Gazzetta_it to talk about his journey from Italy to NCFC.

?? "I chose NC for its tradition and its enviable facilities. I believe it's the perfect team for me."#WeAreNC https://t.co/Cydx6W6WE0
— North Carolina FC (@NorthCarolinaFC) February 11, 2020

Looking Ahead

Duke travels to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest March 1 before hosting rival North Carolina after a spring break layoff March 28. Those games are at 5 p.m., and 2 p.m., respectively.