The MetLife-adidas Soccer Classic, which takes place at Duke Soccer Stadium this weekend, is more than simply a chance to see the soccer field decorated with corporate logos. For the men's soccer team, the annual tournament presents an early-season test and an opportunity to gauge its strengths and weaknesses.
According to head coach John Rennie, his squad, which burst into the top 10 this week with impressive wins over Drake and Creighton, also gets to see the play of some of the other outstanding teams in the country.
"It lets you find out the good and bad about your team, and what you need to work on," Rennie said. "If we meet these teams in the playoffs, we would've seen them play. It helps us in the long run--it takes away some of the mystery. If we do well, it gives us legitimate confidence."
Duke hosts Alabama-Birmingham today at 5 p.m. It then plays UCLA at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Both opponents are once again strong NCAA title contenders.
The UAB roster includes several foreign players, the most dangerous of whom is leading scorer William Giummara. The Canadian senior displayed outstanding skills against Duke last season. And though the Blue Devils beat UAB 4-1, they are well aware of the damage that Giummara can potentially cause.
In Sunday's matchup, Duke will face the Bruins for the first time since its 1986 national championship season. The Blue Devils lost 3-0 nine years ago, but they went on to reel off six straight victories on their way to the national title.
Also resonant from that glorious season is the fact that Duke can, for the first time in almost a decade, field a team with three pure forwards.
"Our team last year was more blue-collar, more hard-working and midfield-oriented because we didn't have forwards of this caliber," Rennie said. "Our strength is different now."
Duke's offensive arsenal consists of standout junior Brian Kelly, who returns from a broken ankle, sophomore Andy Kwon and freshman Josh Henderson. The trio provides an enviable blend of skill and experience.
This 3-4-3 attack-oriented formation is aided by the return of tireless winger Kevin Stein. The junior is playing without pain for the first time in a year after recovering from a broken leg.
Stein works in right-midfield and the gifted Kelly operates in the inside-left position. Working their magic together, they present a constant terror on the flanks for opposing defenses.
Rennie is also desperately trying to give the substitutes on his team precious playing time.
"We played 11 players against Creighton, no substitutions," Rennie said. "We need to get our depth built up."
The problem is obvious: It is doubtful that 11 players can survive a full season and a playoff run unscathed. But with the close competition expected this weekend, Rennie's agenda might have to wait.
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