Former SMU Futbol Star Spotlighted in MLS Cup

[Stallion]

Remember Daniel Hernandez who flew in and out to Football/Soccer games every weekend while kicking for SMU. He's now the star of FC Dallas who plays in the Championship Game Sunday Nite. Of course, FC Dallas is owned by SMU alumnus Clark Hunt and Coached by former SMU Coach Schelles Hyndman. Should be some good pub.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/19/sport ... .html?_r=1

[PonyPride]

They also have former SMU stars Ugo Ihemelu and Bruno Guarda — huge SMU influence.

Be sure to record that game so you can watch it after you get back from watching the No. 5 SMU men's soccer team play the winner of tonight's New Mexico/Creighton game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament (7 PM Sunday night at Westcott Field).

[b_caesar]

I think it was Channel 5 where Daniel was interviewed and it aired during the 10 PM news last night - he said the more publicity the MLS cup and FC Dallas can get, all the better for the sport, and FC Dallas, too.

And then the lame comment from the woman anchor "Well, I guess it's time to get on that bandwagon..."

[diamond_tom]

Remember Daniel Hernandez who flew in and out to Football/Soccer games every weekend while kicking for SMU. He's now the star of FC Dallas who plays in the Championship Game Sunday Nite. Of course, FC Dallas is owned by SMU alumnus Clark Hunt and Coached by former SMU Coach Schelles Hyndman. Should be some good pub.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/19/sport ... .html?_r=1

Was it Cavan who told him he could only play one sport? So he had to quit the football team.

[PonyPride]

Yeah, Cavan didn't want to share him if he (Cavan) had to pick up Hernandez's scholarship. Hernandez was a very good football kicker, but he was and is a sensational soccer player — first of two SMU players to win a national player of the year award (Luis "Luchi" Gonzalez was the other).

At his first football practice, Hernandez joined the other kickers in a field goal drill, and watched the others kick. Someone invited him to step in when they were hitting long field goals. Someone (I forget who) drilled one from over 50, and one of the guys standing around watching said something like "hey soccer star, let's see you hit that." The holder backed up to 55 yards, and Hernandez crushed it through the pipes. The look on the faces of those watching was priceless .... but nothing compared to the reaction when Hernandez told them "I'm actually right-footed."

Yes, it was just a practice, but his first kick in an SMU football uniform, and he hit a 55-yarder with his "off" foot. It was unbelievable to watch, and his teammates never gave him any more "soccer star" grief.

[Fijistang]

Clark Hunt is a member of the SMU Board of Trustees as well as an alumnus.