Greenville, S.C. -- Five former Furman men’s soccer standouts will look to lead their countries to the pinnacle of international soccer when qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa begins “Stage 2” play this weekend throughout the North America, Central America and Caribbean region (CONCACAF).
Ricardo Clark (USA), Clint Dempsey (USA), John Barry Nusum (Bermuda), Vaughn Bethell (Bahamas) and Josh Villalobos (Puerto Rico) are all expected to be included in their country’s roster as CONCACAF nations vie for one of three guaranteed spots in South Africa. CONCACAF, which has 35 nations competing in World Cup qualifying, will also have a chance for a fourth bid if the region’s fourth place finisher can defeat a South American nation in a home-and-home playoff.
Clark and Dempsey, regulars in the United States’ midfield over the past two years, will open qualifying on June 15, hosting Barbados in the opening match of a home-and-home round at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The two nations will travel to Barbados for the second leg on June 22, with the winner advancing to play in one of three four-team groups in round three of qualifying during the fall.
Dempsey, an NSCAA All-American at Furman in 2002 and leading scorer this past season for Fulham of the English Premier League, played a key role in helping the U.S. qualifying for World Cup ?06 in Germany before netting a goal for his country versus Ghana at the 2006 tournament. Clark, an all-star selection from Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, has emerged as one of several defensive midfield options for U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. The 2002 NSCAA All-America first team pick helped the United States to the CONCACAF Gold Cup title and scored his first international goal in Copa America this past summer.
Nusum, Furman’s all-time leading scorer and a three-time NSCAA All-American selection, helped Bermuda advance out of round one qualifying with a 1-1 draw and 3-1 victory over the Cayman Islands during the spring. Bermuda’s leading scorer in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, Nusum will lead his side into a two-legged second round draw with 2006 World Cup qualifier Trinidad & Tobago June 15 and 22.
Bethell, a Greenville, S.C., resident who guided Furman to four Southern Conference regular season crowns and three SoCon Tournament titles from 1998-2001, helped the Bahamas edge the British Virgin Islands on away goals this spring to advance to a two-legged meeting with Jamaica on June 15, in Kingston, Jamaica, and June 18, in Bermuda.
A midfielder on Furman’s 2002 NCAA Tournament squad, Villalobos appeared as a substitute in Puerto Rico’s 4-0 loss to Honduras on June 4. The two teams will meet in the second leg June 14.
The USA’s June 15, match versus Barbados can be seen live on ESPN2 at 2 p.m. ET.