Former Bull Ben Sweat Earns First Cap with USMNT
TAMPA, Fla, Oct. 11, 2018- USF men's soccer four-year letter winner Ben Sweat earned his first cap in his first international call-up to represent his country and play for the US Men's National Team against Colombia at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday night.
Sweat, current New York City Football Club defender, entered the match in the 76
thminute to earn his first cap with USMNT. In front of 38,631 soccer fans, record attendance for US Soccer in Tampa, Sweat helped the USMNT in the final moments, but USA eventually fell 4-2 on the night.
"It was a special moment, for myself, my wife, friends, family, everyone here supporting me and my hometown," Ben Sweat said. "It was a very emotional moment. It's always special to put on this crest and represent my entire country. So it was awesome, and to get out there and make my debut was even better."
Sweat, 27, has played in 53 Major League Soccer matches with NYCFC and has recorded 48 starts. Sweat was drafted by Columbus Crew in the 2014 SuperDraft but did not see MLS action until he was signed to NYCFC in 2017, where he made an almost immediate impact. In the interim, Sweat returned to the Bay Area and played in 33 matches with the Tampa Bay Rowdies across two seasons.
A four-year letterwinner and first team all-conference selection, he helped the Bulls record eight shutouts his senior year (2013) and finished as USF's all-time leader in games played with 78. Sweat helped USF capture the American Athletic Conference's first league title in 2013.
Up next, Sweat and USA will travel to East Hartford, Conn., to play Peru at Pratt & Whitney stadium at Rentschler Field on Oct. 16.
About USF Men's Soccer
The Bulls concluded the 2017 regular season with a 6-6-4 overall record and finished fifth in the American Athletic Conference with a 3-2-2 mark. Head Coach Bob Butehorn leads the Bulls in his second season at the helm in 2018. Sophomore Adrian Billhardt was added to the preseason all-conference team.
Follow the men's soccer team on social media (Twitter| Facebook| Instagram) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
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