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UNC Men’s Soccer: The Tar Heel XI

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

.......................................................................... (NCAA Photos Archive)

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.
Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

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.
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images

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.
Takaaki Iwabu/Raleigh News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

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 Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

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.
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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.
Photo By Christopher Ruppel/Getty Images

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.
Photo by Scott Pribyl/MLS via Getty Images

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!