Nov. 8, 2004

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - A pair of former Wake Forest All-American soccer players, and teammates for that matter, will find themselves on opposite sides of the 2004 MLS Cup this Sunday. William Hesmer, backup goalkeeper for the Kansas City Wizards, and Brian Carroll, starting midfielder for D.C. United, will each make their first appearance in a MLS Cup final.

Hesmer, a two-time All-American for the Demon Deacons from 2000-03, has not seen any game action this season serving as the backup for Tony Meola and Bo Oshoniyi.

Carroll has played in 30 games for D.C. United this season and started 26 matches. The midfielder recorded one assist this season and led the squad in minutes played. He is an unsung player for D.C. United. Carroll does not do anything flashy, he isn't involved in the attacking third very often, he hasn't scored any goals all season and, a lot of times, he can play a solid game and go completely unnoticed. But there is more to Carroll's game than what you can see on a stat sheet.

Only one player for United has played in every single match this season - not Jaime Moreno, not Alecko Eskandarian, not Freddy Adu, not Earnie Stewart - but Brian Carroll. If the fans didn't expect Carroll to take the sixth penalty MLS Eastern Conference Final match with the New England Revolution, they certainly didn't expect him to drill the penalty into the side netting, but that's what he did. It was the best kick of the shootout and it was the last one United would need as the blast would send United into the MSL Cup Final.

The MLS Cup Final will be televised on ABC this Saturday, Nov. 13. Kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (EST)

-- WakeForestSports.com --