EFSC men to play Minnesota United of MLS

Eastern Florida State College men’s soccer freshman Chris Morrish never thought he would be in this position. Yet here he is, preparing with the rest of the Titans to play Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United, who finished ninth in their first season in the West Conference.

“It’s almost like a dream come true for a 20-year-old to get to play against professionals and see where you are at,” Morrish said before practice on Monday. “It is a great way to register where you are in your game and how far you need to go to get to that level. I never would have thought about the opportunity to play against an MLS or USL team. It is a dream come true. Every single day since I can remember, I have wanted to be one of these guys and now I get to see what it is like.”

The two teams will play at Titan Soccer Complex in Melbourne on Wednesday at 4 p.m. and admission is free to the contest.

Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath, who was the head coach for Orlando City Soccer from 2011-16, has had his squad working out at Titan Soccer Complex for the past week and will finish up camp this week before heading north to start the regular season March 3 against the San Jose Earthquakes.

“We are really excited to have the opportunity to compete against Minnesota United. We have been able to watch their players and staff during pre-season and have been able to see their quality,” Eastern Florida State College men’s soccer coach Oliver Twelvetrees said. “Our student athletes are thrilled to be able to share our home pitch with these top professionals and will learn tremendously from the experience.”

Next week Titan Soccer Complex will be the training home of United Soccer League’s Saint Louis FC, who is coached by former Orlando City B coach Anthony Pulis.

The men’s soccer team will play the Saint Louis FC next Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. Admission is free to that game as well.

Parsons is the Manager of Athletic Communications at Eastern Florida State College.