University of North Carolina Athletics
A Houston Homecoming
December 7, 2016 | Men's Soccer
The 2016 NCAA College Cup is a homecoming for many on the Tar Heel squad. In fact, the roster boasts nine players and head coach Carlos Somoano, that come from the Lone Star State. Needless to say the locals are excited to put their talents on display for friends and family come Friday night when UNC will face Stanford in the second national semifinal at the Houston Dynamo's BBVA Compass Stadium.
“We always thought it would be cool if my parents could drive to a college game,” said Carolina's leading scorer Tucker Hume. “We've had a lot of people from Texas telling us they're coming to see us at the College Cup.”
Twin brother Walker Hume, a defender that hails from San Angelo, has had this weekend circled on the calendar for some time.
“We always wanted to play college soccer in Texas so our close family could see us play. It's really cool that its in Houston for our senior year.”
The strength of the youth leagues in the state will be on display in full force this weekend with 19 Texas natives competing in the College Cup. Each of the four teams have at least two players from Texas with Carolina boasting almost half of that aforementioned total. That fact isn't lost on Andy Lopez, who grew up in Mission, and is proud of being among the large number of Texans competing this weekend.
“It's good to see Texas players making it to the biggest event in college soccer. I always wanted to play in the College Cup, but to make it in Houston is even more special.”
SOMOANO ALSO BACK HOME
Sixth-year head coach Carlos Somoano grew up about 40 miles east of downtown Houston in Seabrook, a city of nearly 12,000 located on Trinity Bay. Seeking his second NCAA title in as many trips to the College Cup as the head man for the Tar Heels, Somoano is enjoying the ride back to his roots.
“Happy for sure to be playing in Houston,” Somoano said. “This is obviously where my formative soccer years were built. It's in me, can't take it out of me. I'm definitely a North Carolinian at this point, my family is, but you can't take the Texas out of me so I'm very happy to be back in Houston.”
Having spent the last 15 seasons on the Carolina coaching staff, the sport has grown by leaps and bounds in this area and throughout the United States.
“You didn't have BBVA Compass Stadium and didn't have the Houston Dynamo. A lot of people have contributed to making it happen and its very exciting that we have professional soccer in the state of Texas.”
Having a large contingency of players from Texas is nothing new to the program. Since 2008, the Tar Heels have had 17 players come to Chapel Hill from Texas. The reason is pretty simple according to Somoano.
“Texas has a lot of very, very good youth players. First and foremost that's what brings us to Texas.”
FORMER TAR HEEL VISITS PRACTICE
Eddie Robinson, who played at North Carolina from 1996-2000, stopped by practice today and shared some wisdom and perspective to the team. Robinson spent 10 seasons in MLS with San Jose and Houston, winning multiple MLS Cups before retiring in 2012.
“You have an opportunity to do something that very few people in their lifetime will ever achieve and that's winning a national championship. Do the little things because that feeling you'll have when you're holding that trophy is one you may never experience again. Take control of your destiny. Enjoy the weekend, take it in, gain some perspective because it will help you after college as well.”
Contining coverage of the Tar Heels in Houston at the College Cup can be found at GoHeels.com, and on our official Instagram and Twitter accounts: @uncmenssoccer.
