WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Wake Forest men’s soccer team opens its 2010 spring schedule on Tuesday, February 16, when it battles the newest Major League Soccer franchise, the Philadelphia Union, at 6:30 p.m. at BB&T Soccer Complex in Winston-Salem.
 
The game against the Union opens an eight-game spring schedule for the Demon Deacons. Wake will battle four professional teams in the spring and four college programs.
 
Kickoff against Philadelphia is set for 6:30 p.m. and admission for the match is free. The game will be played at the BB&T Soccer Complex in Winston-Salem. For directions, visit http://www.twincitysoccer.com/bbt/directions.htm.
 
"This is a great opportunity for our players, parents and coaches to watch one of the top college programs in the country compete against the Philadelphia Union live at our own facility,” said Paul Forster, Director of Coaching for Twin City Youth Soccer Association.  “As a staff, we talk all the time about the importance of watching the game of soccer. We are certainly excited about hosting Wake Forest University and the Philadelphia Union."
 
Wake Forest and Philadelphia share several connections. Philadelphia coach and youth development coordinator John Hackworth both played and coached for the Demon Deacons. Hackworth played at Wake from 1991-92 and helped the Deacs to a No. 3 national ranking. He also spent five years in Winston-Salem as a Wake Forest coach, serving as the top assistant to current head coach Jay Vidovich.
 
Philadelphia assistant coach/goalkeeping coordinator Rob Vartughian also has ties to the Wake soccer program, playing in goal for the Demon Deacons in 2000.Vartughian posted 72 saves in 16 games for Wake Forest during the 2000 seasons.
 
Another connection to Philadelphia lies in the late Walt Chyzowych, former Wake Forest head coach. Chyzowych was a two-time first team All-American at Temple University from 1957-61 and played professionally for a pair of Philadelphia teams, the Philadelphia Ukranian Nationals and the Philadelphia Spartans.
 
After facing the Union, Wake Forest continues its spring schedule on February 27 against the Carolina RailHawks. The spring schedule concludes with three doubleheaders. On March 27, Wake battles Maryland and Mars Hill and on March 29th the Deacs face the Montreal Impact of the USSF Pro League and Greensboro College. The spring slate closes on April 9 against the Charlotte Eagles of USL-2 and Queens College.
 
Locations and times of the games will be announced at a later date.
 
Wake Forest returns 16 letterwinners from the 2009 squad that finished the season with a 17-4-3 record and advanced to the program’s fourth consecutive College Cup.
 
2010 Wake Forest Men’s Soccer Spring Schedule
February 16 – Philadelphia Union – 6:30 p.m. – BB&T Soccer Complex (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
February 27 – Carolina Railhawks – Time TBA – Location TBA
March 27 – Maryland and Mars Hill – Time TBA – Location TBA
March 29 – Montreal Impact and Greensboro College – Time TBA – Location TBA
April 9 – Charlotte Eagles and Queens College – Time TBA – Location TBA