Clemson’s men’s soccer program is generating buzz as the 2026 season approaches, with three of its midfielders earning spots on national watchlists that highlight the team’s depth and talent.
Watchlists and accolades
Martin Bakken, Malick Daouda and Junior Ransford Gyan have each been named to multiple preseason and midseason lists, underscoring their impact on the field and their rising profiles in college soccer.
Bakken, a 2025 Atlantic 10 preseason all‑conference selection, enters his senior year with a career record of 43 starts, 18 goals and 13 assists, a tally that reflects his consistency and playmaking ability.
Daouda, who earned a spot on the 2024 All‑Big Ten Freshman Team during his time at Penn State, brings 31 collegiate starts, five goals and an assist in over 2,600 minutes of play, experience he now carries into his first season with the Tigers after transferring.
Gyan, a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist and the 2025 ACC Midfielder of the Year, was the 27th overall pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and currently sits third on TopDrawerSoccer’s midseason watchlist, having logged 36 starts, 13 goals and 14 assists in his junior campaign.
The United Soccer Coaches have also recognized the trio, placing them on the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Midfielders to Watch List, while Gyan additionally appears on the Hermann Trophy watchlist and the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Top 100 Players List.
Season opener at Historic Riggs Field
Clemson will open its 2026 schedule on Thursday, August 20, when it hosts Furman at Historic Riggs Field, a venue that promises a lively atmosphere for the Tigers’ first test of the year.
Coach Mike Nagy and his staff have emphasized the importance of building chemistry early, and the match against Furman offers a tangible benchmark for the midfield trio as they look to translate preseason praise into on‑field dominance.
Fans can expect a competitive contest, with the coaching staff highlighting the experience and skill set each midfielder brings to the lineup as key factors in the team’s early‑season strategy.
As the new season unfolds, the spotlight will remain on Bakken, Daouda and Gyan, whose combined accolades and performances suggest that Clemson’s midfield could be a decisive factor in the team’s pursuit of a deep postseason run.