Why FSU Soccer has easy path for return to College Cup in 2019

FSU Soccer is very fortunate to have the path they do if they want to make it to San Jose, California for a chance to defend their national title.

When the FSU soccer team lost over a week ago in the semifinals of the ACC tournament and, in turn, lost their chance to repeat as champions of the conference, there was some concern around this in garnet and gold that the Seminoles would not get a chance to make a serious run at repeating as national champs either.

Come this past Monday, those fears for the most part were put to rest with the selection process for the upcoming NCAA tournament and the good news for the Seminoles – as all roads, at least until the final four teams are left standing, go through Tallahassee.

The Seminoles made program history as they were selected to be one of the four top seeds in the field of 64 for the second straight season in FSU soccer history – and we all remember what took place last season.

The Seminoles will begin their title defense in the coming days against a South Alabama team they have faced before in the NCAA tournament – having beating the foes from Mobile in three straight seasons from 2013 to 2015 with the Noles winning each game by the score of 5-0.

If the Seminoles can avoid what would be the biggest upset in tournament history recently, they would face either Brown or Monmouth in the second round – teams they have never faced before – before facing more than likely either Washington, seeded at No. 4 in the region, or a very familiar foe…a Florida Gators team they have beaten three straight seasons.

In the tournament quarterfinal round, the Seminoles could face three teams they have beaten a total of four times this season – Wisconsin, Duke or Clemson – or FSU soccer could get a rematch against a team that beat them earlier this season…a UCLA Bruins team, but this time the game would be at home.

It’s not getting too far ahead of ourselves to say that the only thing truly standing in front of the Seminoles and a trip back to the College Cup is – well, the Seminoles as they are going to be at home for most of the run, where they have lost just five times combined over the last three seasons.

In the last two decades, there has been just two times were a team has won consecutive national titles with it being North Carolina on both occasions – but don’t be surprised if the Seminoles can get their third title in the last six seasons and add themselves to that list.