And then there were 16.
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) on Wednesday announced the list of players that are one step closer to winning the most coveted individual award in college soccer, the MAC Hermann Trophy. Sixteen male players made the cut for the semifinals, but only three will become finalists for the 2014 award that is set to be presented on Jan. 9.
Sophomore Stanford forward and recent US national team debutant Jordan Morris is among the 16 players still in contention for the accolade, as are sophomore Connecticut forward Cyle Larin, sophomore Georgetown defender Joshua Yaro, senior UCLA midfielder Leo Stolz, and senior South Florida midfielder Lucas Baldin.
Several of the MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalists were recently named to a list of the projected top prospects that could be available in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft next January, including Larin, Yaro, Stolz, and senior St. Louis forward Robert Kristo.
Which three players become finalists for the award will be decided by votes from both fans - on the MAC's website - and NCAA Division 1 coaches that are NSCAA College Services members. The finalists will be named in mid-December.
The MAC Hermann Trophy has been handed out each year since 1967. Some of the more notable players to have claimed it are US national team legends Brad Friedel, Claudio Reyna, Alexi Lalas and Tony Meola. Current MLS players Patrick Mullins (2012, 2013), Andrew Wenger, Darlington Nagbe and Teal Bunbury are the last five winners of the award.
