University of North Carolina Athletics
Separate Mirrors: Cameron Brown and Alan Winn
October 30, 2014 | General
By Laura Fellwock, UNC Athletic Communications
Alan Winn didn't always dream of coming to Carolina.
A native of Garland, Texas, the No.1 recruit in the Texas Region, high school player at Naaman Forest, and member of Solar Chelsea club, a member of the Elite Clubs National League, Winn had his pick of the draw.
But the influence of Cameron Brown, a former Carolina star from 2007-2012 who paved identical path just years before, steered Winn toward the Tar Heels.
"He did have an influence, of course," Winn said. "He talked to me my senior year, trying to convince me to go here, and he did just that."
Brown, also of Garland, Texas, was named All-America twice while at Naaman Forest and is Solar Chelsea's career scoring leader with 154 goals and 275 assists. He excelled at Carolina during his six seasons with the team. Though plagued by knee injuries for some of his time, he helped lead the team to an ACC Championship as well as an NCAA Championship.
But it was the town environment and the vibrancy of Chapel Hill, along with the unique camaraderie of the squad, the he hoped to pass on to Winn. He knew his fellow Texan had what it took to be a Tar Heel.
"I told him, 'You're going to have a lot of choices,'" Brown said by telephone. "Take the time to talk about it with your family. But Carolina would be the best decision of your life."
And Winn took his advice to heart.
"He knew the soccer really well, of course he knows a little more than I do, but I tried to learn from him," Winn said. "He really pushed me to come here, and I listened to him."
But not only do the guys share a common background, their styles mirror one another.
"They were both extremely quick with the ball," said Kevin Smith, head coach of the Solar Chelsea club. "They are dynamic and explosive, and they always wanted the ball."
Smith has not only coached, but also played with some incredible talent, coaching at Solar Chelsea for 28 years after playing professionally for 20 years in England and the United States. But Brown and Winn were always special in his mind.
"You know when you've got a special player," Smith said. "They are both very driven players. They are perfectionists and have the will to do it. And they both hate to lose."
Their talent and drive to win translated easily into the Carolina teams, as well.
"They're both just extremely dynamic players that have a great feel for the game," said Carlos Somoano, head coach for the Tar Heel men's soccer team. "They are very dangerous attacking players and carry the ball well. They're two of the top recruits that we've had."
These comparisons are not a secret to the guys. But Winn and Brown choose to see themselves as individual players instead of mirror images of each other.
"We use our strengths to the best of our abilities," Winn said. "He has this quickness side to side, and I have my speed.
"He's his own type of player," Brown said. "His name is his own. I just wanted him to see the big picture. It's hard when you're young as an 18-year-old, but I wanted him to understand The Carolina Way."
And so far, Winn's abilities have led the Tar Heels to an incredible season with the prospect of a great four years ahead.
"I think he's incredible," Somoano said. "We're very pleased with his progress, and he's just growing and getting better every day."
"I've had a great time," Winn said. "It's been fun. It's tough, but it's fun."
For more information on Alan Winn and the Tar Heel Men's Soccer Team, please visit GoHeels.com. The Tar Heels are currently 12-4-0 and second in the ACC Coastal Division behind Notre Dame. The Tar Heels finish regular-season play versus #21 Virginia at home in Chapel Hill on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
