UNC Soccer

UNC Men’s Soccer: The Tar Heel XI

After thousands of fan votes, these are the top soccer players in program history.

By Evan Davis@EvanTHB Aug 13, 2020, 11:00am EDT

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Since June, fans of North Carolina Tar Heels men’s soccer have voted for the best players in the history of the program.

Before the final selections, the program announced the Second Team Tar Heel XI. These players were next in line, and a part of the rich tradition of the program.

Then, the program announced the best players in history of Carolina men’s soccer. Take a look at the Tar Heel XI below. Their accolades are provided by UNC Athletics.

Goalkeeper

Scott Goodwin (2009-12)

2011 National Champion
2012 All-American
Led country in GAA and shutouts
All-time UNC shutout leader with 41 and most in a season with 17
Three years in USL prior to Harvard Medical School

NCAA Tournament: Indiana at North Carolina — North Carolina goalie Scott Goodwin (1) stops a shot by Indiana’s Eriq Zavaleta (2) in the second period in an NCAA quarterfinal match on Friday, November 30, 2012, at Fetzer Field in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Defenders

Gregg Berhalter (1991-93)

1992, 1993 All-America
Named one of the Top-50 players in UNC history
Played in two World Cups and earned 44 total caps
17-year European and MLS playing career
Current USNT head coach

Costa Rica v United States — United States head coach Gregg Berhalter during a game between Costa Rica and United States at Dignity Health Sports Park on February 1, 2020 in Carson, California.

Boyd Okwuonu (2011-14)

2012, 2013, 2014 All-America
One of only two three-time All-Americans in UNC history
2011 national champion
Two-year career with Real Salt Lake

ACC Championship Soccer — North Carolina’s Boyd Okwuonu, left, shields the ball against a Boston College player during the men’s ACC Soccer Championship Final in Cary, North Carolina, Sunday, November 13, 2011. North Carolina won, 3-1.

Eddie Pope (1992-95)

1994 All-America
Named one of the Top-50 players in UNC history
Started in three World Cups (1998, 2002, 2006)
Two-time MLS Champion
Four-Time member of the MLS Best XI
1997 MLS Defender of the Year
USA Soccer Hall of Fame

Eddie Pope Of MetroStars Clears The Ball

David Smyth (1984-87)

1987 All-American
Named one of the Top-50 players in ACC history
Top-10 in program history in goals, assists and points
National Player of the Year finalist
Earned a cap in 1988 with the USNT
Four-year career in ASL

Midfielders

Dax McCarty (2004-05)

2005 All-American
Member of the 2008 Olympic team
Earned 13 caps with the USNT
2017 Gold Cup Champion
14-year MLS career
Two-time MLS All-Star
Member of the 2015 MLS Best XI
Current captain of Nashville SC

SOCCER: FEB 06 MLS - Nashville SC v Chicago Fire — Dax McCarty (6) of Nashville controls the ball during the pre-season match between the Nashville SC and the Chicago Fire on February 06, 2020 at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.

Carey Talley (1994-97)

Three-time All-American (1995, 1996, 1997)
Named one of the Top-50 players in ACC history
MLS Cup Champion
Completed a 13-year MLS career

Talley advances — Carey Talley #14 of the Kansas City Wizards advances against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half on August 21, 2002 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Kerry Zavagnin (1992-95)

Earned 23 caps for the USNT from 2000-06
MLS All-Star in 2004
Named to the 2004 MLS Best XI
Played nine seasons in the MLS
Current assistant coach for Sporting KC

FC Dallas v Kansas City Wizards — Kerry Zavagnin #5 of the Kansas City Wizards dribbles the ball against FC Dallas during the game at Community America Ballpark on August 23, 2008 in Kansas City, Kansas.

Forwards

Tony Johnson (1979-82)

NC Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee
Sixth all-time in program history in goals scored
Competed for seven seasons in the MISL and ASL

Derek Missimo (1987-90)

UNC all-time leader in goals scored (56)
UNC all-time leader in total points (138)

Temoc Suarez (1993-96)

Two-time All-America (1993, 1994)
Third all-time in UNC history in goals scored
Second all-time in UNC history in points
Fourth all-time in UNC history in assists
Completed a three-year MLS career

Congratulations to this group of accomplished Tar Heels!