February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Joe Behan
Among the big Div. I guns on the West Coast scouting at the Nomads Soccer College Showcase was none other than Seamus McFadden, the University of San Diego men’s soccer head coach. The towering Donegal man was accompanied, as usual, by his assistant coach and great friend, Harry Tweedie, from Belfast.
Watching both men operate as they scouted the talented hopefuls was a joy.
"What about that winger?" Tweedie said. "No coach," replied McFadden. The line was crossed instantly through the prospect’s name. "That team," Tweedie said, "are very heavy on their feet." That was it in a nutshell. There was no need to break them down. It was so simple, the USD’s coaches were looking first and foremost for quickness and speed of foot. Sure enough, Tweedie crossed the player off with a blink of ink and the Irish chemistry moved on to scout the next recruit.
The weather conditions were ideal for soccer at the Nomads and there were no excuses. It was going to have to be a special player to catch McFadden’s eye.
"Things are going really well for USD at the moment," he said. "We only lose one or two players this year. We had a great win against UCLA and we were only beaten once in our regular season."
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NCAA beckons
It’s a tough business coaching Div. I soccer and although over 20 years with San Diego, McFadden knows full well he must produce the goods at this stage of his career.
"We won our conference," McFadden said. "That was really nice. Three times in a row now. It was a great feeling and the team was great, absolutely."
After a disappointing tie with Loyola Marymount, USD faced Santa Clara for a must win to stay in contention for the conference title. Indeed, the 1-nil triumph over Clara set up the big game against the ever-improving Gonzaga.The winner of this crunch game would be the likely title holders. Again, McFadden’s boys kept a clean sheet and again the 1-nil scoreline. San Diego now rule the West Coast Conference and it’s something a team must do to become a big-time contender for a national championship. McFadden will want to get over the hurdle of that early NCAA knockout punch.
It’s going to be really tough for players to get into the USD squad this year. McFadden and Tweedie have developed one of the most respected sides in the country. The fantastic 15-1-2 record in the 2000 regular eason earned his side the No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. They went into the playoffs against UCLA, which, although seeded 24, are a powerhouse in Div. I. The brilliant OT victory, 1-nil, set up the showdown with Creighton, the No. 2 seed. The Donegal man was outfoxed that day and beaten 3-nil to finish with a respectable 16-2-2.
The last few years have been good to the Irish staff at USD. The Torero is maturing under the guidance of two gentlemen who are a credit to the game. In nine seasons, San Diego have made six NCAA tournament appearances. It’s important to note the Irish double act built the USD program from the bottom of the barrel. Now the ex-hurler is approaching double figures in being named West Coast Conference Coach of the Year.
The true sense of his remarkable coaching can be seen in the diversity of player awards: four Defensive Players of the Year, four Offensive Players of the Year, and two Freshman Players of the Year. Confidence is at an all-time high at the program as a winning tradition is now installed. Double-digit victories are presently the norm for McFadden teams. The NCAA championship is the next step.
Visionary words
McFadden arrived at USD 22 years ago. He fielded USD’s first team in the fall of 1980. That year he was quoted in the team’s yearbook as saying: "I have no doubts that in the near future the University of San Diego will become a force to be reckoned with in Southern California intercollegiate soccer." His visionary words are now on the brink of realization at the turn of the century.
All the signs of success were there in 1986, when he won 19 of 24 games. In 1990, McFadden put four All-Americas on the map as they advanced to the NCAA second round. It was obvious that the program was being built on defense as the Torero lost only three games that year.
The roots of McFadden’s vision began when he led Mesa JC to a 30-4 record in two seasons. At the same time, he directed Clairemont High to consecutive CIF-San Diego Section titles and the La Jolla Cup. Painting the big picture in 1992, the Donegal m’stro had in place several of San Diego’s best local talent. Student-athletes who in the past had looked outside the city to showcase their talents, were suddenly arriving at Alcalá Park, with McFadden and Tweedie in the wings.
The 1992 Toreros showed remarkable poise under their leader, compiling a 19-5 record and advancing to the NCAA championship game. The much-experienced McFadden has a knack for winning the big games. However, he will want to turn that into winning big seasons. UCLA would bear witness to that as San Diego have stolen big Ws on the Bruins’ turf.
In 1994, San Diego shutout No. 6 ranked N.C. State, 3-0, in front of a national cable audience. McFadden can boast of a .600 winning percentage in NCAA games.
Mutual respect
The man himself played at San Diego State, where he received a B.A. degree in History in 1976. That same summer he was with the San Diego Jaws of the North American Soccer League. Keeping true to his native roots, the Donegal man passionately rooted for the Irish side in the ’94 World Cup but maintained enough objectivity to serve as a correspondent for USA Today.
McFadden and his wife, Davette, have two daughters, Hadley and Rorye, and a son, Conor. He has succeeded in establishing his American dream and for sure he is not finished. There is the one ingredient that he believes makes it all work and its mutual respect.
"Harry and myself get on great, you know," McFadden said. "We are trying to sort out the Anglo-Irish thing over here," he added, joking.
"I think it’s because we have great respect for one another is the reason why we are together so long."
Indeed, the chemistry between Seamus McFadden and Harry Tweedie not only makes them the finest duet in Div. I college ball, but USD are ranked 10th in the country.