Tag: Ousmane Sylla

Dabo Swinney asks fans to support Clemson soccer great Ousmane Sylla in ESPY race

Dabo Swinney encouraged fans to vote for Clemson soccer great Ousmane Sylla ahead of this year’s ESPY Awards.

Dabo Swinney did a little campaigning this weekend.

No, it wasn’t for a political candidate. Swinney has said that he doesn’t support political organizations. Rather, the Clemson coach asked fans to support former Tigers soccer star Ousmane Sylla. Sylla is nominated for a 2024 ESPY Award and received a public voting push from the school’s most powerful coach and public figure Sunday.

Sylla is one of four players nominated in the category for Best Men’s College Athlete at the ESPYS. In a short video posted to social media, Swinney encouraged Tiger fans to cast their vote for Sylla.

Joining Sylla on the list are former LSU quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, former Purdue center and first-round NBA draft pick Zach Edey, and former Notre Dame lacrosse star Pat Kavanagh.

“Hey, what’s up, Clemson fam? Hey listen, one of our very best, Ousmane Sylla, our great national champion soccer player, he’s up for an ESPY for the Best Male College Athlete. So, let’s all get behind him. Let’s vote between now and July 11. Just go to ESPN.com/ESPYS and let’s help Ousmane,” Swinney said in the video.

Added Swinney: “Go Tigers! We’ll see y’all in The Valley soon!”

Sylla is in his rookie season with Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo FC. A native of Dakar, Senegal, Sylla scored 13 goals and 36 points for the Tigers last season. His final goal came at the 90-minute mark of the team’s 2-1 victory over Notre Dame in the national championship match.

The win gave Clemson its second soccer national championship in three years and the fourth in school history.

Sylla won the MAC Hermann Trophy for his elite performance during the 2023 season. He was the fourth player in Clemson history to win the prestigious award. Robbie Robinson won it in 2019, Wotjek Krakowiak did so in 1998, and Bruce Murray was the program’s first winner in 1987.

The 2024 ESPYS will be televised on ABC July 11 beginning at 8 p.m. EDT.

Sylla is bidding to become the second Clemson athlete to win an ESPY for Best Men’s College Athlete. Former Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson won the award in 2017 after leading Clemson to its first college football national championship in 25 years.

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Clemson player nominated for 2024 ESPY award

Former Clemson soccer player Ousmane Sylla was nominated for Best College Athlete in men’s sports at this year’s annual ESPY Awards. The ESPYS will be held July 11.

The Clemson Tigers will have some representation at this year’s annual ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.

Former Tigers soccer player Ousmane Sylla was nominated for Best College Athlete in men’s sports at this year’s ESPYS, scheduled for July 11 at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

At Clemson, Sylla was a two-time national champion and the winner of the 2023 MAC Hermann Award, given to the nation’s top college players in both men’s and women’s soccer. The Tigers won the national championship in 2023, in large part due to Sylla.

RELATED: Clemson’s Ousmane Sylla earns NCAA soccer’s highest individual honor

Clemson defeated Notre Dame, 2-1, back on December 11 to secure the program’s second championship in three seasons and their fourth all-time (since 1984). Sylla scored his 13th goal of the season in the 90th minute of the championship game against the Fighting Irish.

The Senegal native finished the season with 10 assists and 36 points, good for fifth most in the nation. After the season, Sylla was selected in the second round (55th overall) of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by Houston Dynamo FC.

“I’m so grateful for being nominated for this award,” Sylla said in a press release. “This past year has been very rewarding, winning both the MAC Hermann Award and my second national championship. I’m thankful for the Clemson fans for always supporting me. I will forever be a Clemson Tiger.”

Sylla is hoping to become just the second Clemson athlete to win an ESPY for Best College Athlete in men’s sports. Former Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson won the award in 2017 after leading Clemson to its first national championship in college football since 1981.

Other finalists for the ESPYS’ Best College Athlete in men’s sports are former LSU quarterback and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, former Purdue basketball center and 2024 first-round NBA draft pick Zach Edey, and Notre Dame lacrosse player Pat Kavanagh.

Some of the top names in sports that are nominated for ESPYS this year include Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, and women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark.

A full list of ESPY nominees can be viewed here.

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Ousmane Sylla Praises Clemson in Hermann Trophy Acceptance Speech

What Ousmane Sylla said in Hermann Trophy acceptance speech Friday night.

Ousmane Sylla became the fourth player in Clemson history to take home the NCAA’s most prestigious award when he was named the winner of the 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy Friday night at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.

Sylla became the second Tigers player in five years to take home the honor after Robbie Robinson won the award in 2019. He beat out Garrison Tubbs of Wake Forest and Charlie Sharp of Western Michigan to secure the honor.

In his acceptance speech, Sylla recognized Clemson as being home to both a strong soccer program and a special community. He also gave special praise to coach Mike Noonan.

“First of all, I want to say thank you to God for giving me everything and a special thank you to Clemson University for giving a young man who comes from Africa a great (chance),” Sylla said. “I’m very grateful to the Clemson community and also coach Noonan. Thank you, Coach Noonan, for everything you have done for me.

“I’m very thankful. I know, me and you, this season was not easy, but thankfully we ended up accomplishing everything that we have been praying for. Also, I want to say thank you to my teammates. They are very special to me. They did a lot for me. Without them, I couldn’t be here. I’m very thankful to my family.

“Thank you for all the people who voted for me. I congratulate these two (fellow finalists). They are classy players also. They deserve to be here. And thank you, St. Louis, Missouri for hosting this amazing event. Thank you for everything.”

Sylla helped lead the Clemson program to its second national championship in three seasons with the Tigers’ 2-1 victory over Notre Dame on December 11. The Dakar, Senegal native finished the year with 13 goals, 10 assists, and 36 total points — the latter two categories placed him in the top 10 nationally.

Sylla was drafted 55th overall by Houston Dynamo FC in the 2023 MLS Draft. He was also named the MVP of the ACC Tournament as well as the College Cup this past season.

Clemson’s Ousmane Sylla Earns NCAA Soccer’s Highest Honor

Clemson’s Ousmane Sylla becomes fourth player in school history to win the MAC Hermann Trophy.

Clemson’s Ousmane Sylla was awarded the MAC Hermann Trophy, the highest individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer, Friday night at the presentation’s annual awards ceremony at the Missouri Athletic Club.

Sylla became the fourth player in Clemson history to win the prestigious award, joining 2019 winner Richie Robinson, Bruce Murphy (1987), and Wojtek Krakowiak (1998). He was the third Clemson player in five years to be nominated for the award.

A senior from Dakar, Senegal, Sylla finished with 13 goals and 10 assists in 23 games this past season. In four years at Clemson, he totaled 24 goals and 24 assists in 71 matches, including 58 starts.

Sylla helped lead the Tigers to the 2023 men’s national championship. In their 2-1 victory over Notre Dame on December 11, Sylla’s 13th and final goal of the season gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead that would prove to be enough. The victory marked the program’s second NCAA championship in three years under head coach Mike Noonan.

Sylla beat out two other finalists for the award in Garrison Tubbs of Wake Forest and Charlie Sharp of Western Michigan.

The Hermann Trophy has been presented to the top player in college soccer since 1967. Sylla was drafted 55th overall by Houston Dynamo FC in the 2023 Major League Soccer (MLS) Draft in December.

Social media reacts: Clemson United wins 2nd national championship in 3 years

Clemson United defeated Notre Dame on Monday night to win its second national championship in three years.

The Clemson men’s soccer team made program history on Monday night when it defeated Notre Dame 2-1 to win the national championship for the second time in three years.

Taking on the Irish in Louisville, Kentucky, the Tigers scored early after midfielder Brandon Parrish sent a shot in the bottom right corner of the goal to give Clemson a one-goal lead with roughly 18 minutes left in the first half.

Clemson star midfielder Ousmane Sylla extended the Tigers’ lead to 2-0 in the 70th minute when he received a pass from Alex Meinhard and snuck a shot past Notre Dame goalkeeper Bryan Dowd. Although Notre Dame got on the board in the final minute, the Tigers’ two goals were too much for the Irish to overcome.

With the victory, Clemson won its fourth national title in program history, adding to the 2021, 1987 and 1984 seasons when the team won it all.

Here is how fans reacted on X, formerly known as Twitter:

Clemson’s Ousmane Sylla named United Soccer Coaches All-American

Sylla has been recognized for his phenomenal season.

Clemson, S.C. – For the first time in his career, Ousmane Sylla earned All-America honors, it was announced today by the United Soccer Coaches organization. The Dakar, Senegal, native earned a spot on the First Team, as voted on by the organization.

Sylla is the 37th Tiger in program history (44th total) to earn All-America honors and first since 2021.

The senior adds to his many recognitions this season, already having been named an All-ACC First Team performer, the ACC Tournament MVP and First Team All-South Region. Earlier this week, he was named First-Team All-South Region and a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist.

Sylla has led the Tigers offensively this season, with 12 goals and 10 assists on the year. He ranks in the top 50 in Division I in eight categories, including being ranked fifth in the country in total points (34).

To view the full All-American list, click here. This year’s All-Americans will be recognized for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony & Reception on Saturday, January, 13, 2024 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.

–Via Clemson Athletic Communications