Bailey Sparks named U.S. Coaches Midfielder to Watch

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Sparks Named United Soccer Coaches Midfielder To Watch

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (United Soccer Coaches/SMU) – SMU Men's Soccer's senior midfielder, Bailey Sparks has been named United Soccer Coaches Division I Men's Soccer Midfielder to Watch, as the organization announced Friday.

Sparks is one of 18 midfielders included on the list. Five honorees, including Sparks, are competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Texas native earned the 2023 Second Team All-American and American Athletic Conference Midfielder of the Year honors after starting all 19 games for the Mustangs last year. He contributed two goals and five assists through the 2023 season, including a goal in the NCAA Championships to help take SMU to the round of 16.

SMU is No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll ahead of their inaugural ACC campaign. They are one of five ACC teams in the Preseason Top 10.

Sparks and the Mustangs begin their 2024 season against Air Force on Aug. 22. It will be the team's first of 12 home games this season.