Poarch Returns To The Scene Of His Greatest Triumph, At The TST
On Wednesday, the highly anticipated The Soccer Tournament kicks off in Cary, North Carolina.
The $1 million winner-take-all 7 v 7 competition for men and women will bring together former players and personalities from the beautiful game and in the sports world as well.
Here are some of the movers and shakers who are expected to participate in the third-year tourney:
Carli Lloyd.
Michelle Akers.
Hope Solo.
Sergio Aguero.
Geoff Cameron.
Brek Shea.
And Chad Poarch.
Wait, let's back up just a minute.
Chad Poarch?
Just who is this Chad Poarch?
Well, he is the player who scored the winning goal for La Bombonera in last year's final as he and his teammates split the million-dollar prize money.
Poarch (pronounced porch) is back with another team - CONCAFA Soccer Club - as he tries to make it two titles in as many years.
He is looking forward to the event, on and off the pitch.
"I'm excited, man," he said.
Last year he excited about meeting NBA great Chris Paul and former NFL wide receiver Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson.
"I'm excited to meet all the celebrities and the guys who have already had successful careers, whatever they have," he added. "So that should be great."
Of course, Poarch isn't going to be a paparazzi. He plans on having another memorable experience on the field at WakeMed Soccer Park.
"I'm just looking forward to playing in that tournament, a professionally run tournament again, especially what they do with the media," he said. "This being the third year for TST hosting a tournament, I expect the competition is going to be better than the last two years.'
Poarch's story, before and after the tournament, is two divergent tales.
Prior to that competition, he had struggled to find a professional soccer team.
Poarch attended High Point University and then the University of Delaware before deciding to pursue a pro career. That included tryouts in Portugal, Atlanta United and stints in the National Premier Soccer League, USL League Two and USL Championship.
"I've been through some stuff," he said.
But that all changed in Cary.
Not only did he play well, the 5-11, 180-lb. Poarch received national publicity for connecting on the tournament-winning goal and an opportunity to play for the indoor Baltimore Blast in the Major Arena Soccer League.
With that in mind, let's return to the TST final against Nani FC on June 10, 2024. Yes, that Nani, the former Portuguese international. Tournament officials ruled that the first team that reached four goals would win the title (the competition's rules are quite different from the rest of the sport). With La Bombonera leading 3-0, Poarch put a tough tackle on Nani, winning a 50-50 ball in his team's defensive zone. Racing into the penalty area on a 2-on-1 break, he launched a right-footed shot from the top of the box that nestled into the lower left corner to lift his team to the title.
LA BOMBONERA DEFEAT NANI FC TO WIN TST 2024 🏆 CHAD POARCH SCORES $1M GOAL 💰 | TST
"I was able to read the goalkeeper's pass," Poarch said. "As soon as I picked it off, I saw nothing but green grass in front. As soon as I got the ball, it just went silent. It was like a movie. He [the goalkeeper]
"After I scored, man, it was like all the relief, all the pressure, everything just was taken off my shoulders, and then obviously we're celebrating with family and friends. It was a whirlwind. Unforgettable."
Poarch's story hardly ends there.
Blast player Oumar Sylla had told head coach David Bascome that Poarch was one of the players that he should watch at the tournament.
Bascome was impressed with Poarch, who had scored five goals, and offered him a contract.
"Fortunately for me, I had a good showing last year," Poarch said. 'I benefited from it."
Just as he did at the TST, Poarch made the most of his opportunity with the Blast. As a defender, he scored 23 goals in as many regular season games, not bad for a forward, excellent for a defender. He added 10 assists and was voted the MASL newcomer of the year.
Poarch, 27, called his past 12 months "a whirlwind experience."
"It's been a great year for me as a player," he added. "I've been through a lot as a player, so like, it just feels good to finally get like recognition for doing well and achieving these great achievements. I've been super thankful and grateful for every opportunity that has come my way. I'm looking forward to the future. I'm trying to stay as much in the moment as possible and just take every opportunity as they come."
His next opportunity will be to win the tournament with his new team.
The CONCAFA Soccer Club, coached by former U.S. men's international goalkeeper Tony Meola, has some players who you might recognize. The higher profile players include former U.S. internationals Cameron and Shea, one-time New York Red Bulls standout Mike Grella and former Iraqi international and Columbus Crew star Justin Meram. For those indoor soccer aficionados, there's MASL all-stars Derek Huffman and Mario Alvarez (Milwaukee Wave), Gordy Gurson (Utica City FC), Zach Reget and Phillip Ejimadu Kansas City Comets) and Drew Ruggles (San Diego Sockers). ESPN analyst Pat McAfee is also on the team.
Poarch said that the team had a "good atmosphere and good people to be around."
Given the publicity the tournament has received in its short two-year existence, more serious players have wanted to participate. So, finding a pathway to the final has become that more difficult.
"Obviously, the goal is to win the tournament," Poarch said. "I want to play well. I've been training and getting as fit as possible since the Blast season ended. For us to go all the way, and then for me to go back-to-back and win TST again will be phenomenal."
If CONCAFA prevails, Poarch said that he will use his prize money in some practical ways, such as paying off his student loan, continue saving that he could buy a house and invest in his soccer training business. And even go on vacation.
"Good things," he said. "To win a tournament will create a big boost for me in those areas," he said.
And create some more history and perhaps another opportunity for Chad Poarch.
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