Four Tigers Earn All-America Honors
Clemson, S.C. – Four members of Clemson’s men’s soccer team have been named All-Americans, as announced by United Soccer Coaches earlier tonight. The announcement tabs Robbie Robinson with First Team honors, Philip Mayaka and Kimarni Smith with Second Team honors and Malick Mbaye with Third Team honors. This is just the second time in program history that four players have been named All-Americans in a single season, with the first occurrence coming in 2015.
Robinson’s First Team honor adds to what has been an impressive haul of postseason awards, with the junior forward earning ACC Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-South Region and, earlier today, being named a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. Robinson is joined by the two other Hermann Trophy finalists on the All-America First Team ballot. Robinson is the lone player from South Carolina to be named an All-American.
Mayaka, who has been named the ACC’s Freshman of the Year, has earned First Team All-South Region honors and was the lone freshman to be named a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, is one of two freshman honorees on the All-America Second Team.
Smith earned First Team All-ACC and First Team All-South Region honors for his exceptional play over the course of the regular season, finishing the year second on the team in goals scored and points tallied.
Malick Mbaye is the program’s lone Third Team representative, earning the recognition after being voted the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year and earning First Team All-South Region honors. Mbaye led the team in time played in 2019, logging 1,950 minutes over the season’s 22 games.
All four players are earning All-America honors for the first time in their respective careers. With this season’s contingent, Clemson has now had 38 individuals earn All-American nods, with those players combining for 46 total honors over their careers.
The ACC is well-represented amongst the All-America teams, with nine players occupying 33 of the available slots. Virginia is tied with Clemson for the most All-America honorees on this year’s list, with Wake Forest contributing one All-American to round out the ACC’s representation.
The full release provided by United Soccer Coaches can be found here.
