Bowling Green State University Athletics
Men's Soccer McLean Loves Soccer; Not the Weather
September 26, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 26, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - On the soccer field, freshman Thomas McLean appears completely in command. His European-learned style stresses the technical aspects of the game, which coupled with his athleticism makes him a sound addition to any college line-up.
But while McLean was in control of his on-field destiny playing in England last year, it was off the field events that almost cost BGSU its youngest captain.
While overseas to watch McLean play in person, the weather had BG coach Fred Thompson in a tough situation. After taking over 30 hours to get to his destination in England, Thompson was greeted with rain - enough to cancel the game he planned on scouting McLean in.
At that point, the outlook on McLean's career in Orange and Brown was as bleak as the weather.
"I was worried he'd go home and that would be the end of it," McLean said.
Not wanting the chaotic trip to end as a lost cause, Thompson scheduled an extra day and a half in hopes McLean would be able to take the field. When he finally did, Thompson knew he'd made the right decision by staying.
"I never saw him lose a footrace," Thompson said. "Then again he was smart enough to not get in too many footraces. He's fast but also intelligent.
"He's not huge for a centerback but he's very strong and great defensively."
As Thompson had hoped, McLean continued to play well in Bowling Green.
"[When he came to BGSU] I was hoping he'd play as well as his first impression, and he did," Thompson said.
Now McLean is already making his impact felt in his short time as a Falcon. He didn't take long to make his presence known, being named a captain of the team before appearing in a regulation game for BG.
The additional leadership is a challenge McLean is greeting with open arms.
"It's nice to be considered a captain," McLean said. "It's not a common thing being a freshmen captain - not having all the lads knowing me but having them respect me on and off the pitch."
While McLean is not actually from England, he's been living with his grandmother, going to school and playing soccer there since he was 13. McLean is from Mississauga, a city in Ontario outside of Toronto, which is the home city of Thompson as well.
McLean will anchor the Falcon back line along with fellow freshmen and European player Dusko Topolic. Topolic, a native of Serbia, looks forward to playing alongside a player with similar soccer roots.
"Because we're from Europe, we grew up on similar styles," Topolic said. "It's just so different here."
Thompson sees the duo as something to continue building off of down the road.
"As far as a base and a foundation, I'm pretty encouraged going forward," Thompson said.
Winning in the future is the goal of any team, but McLean hopes to make BG instant contenders for a Mid-American Conference title.
"[Our goal is] to continue to work well as a team toward honors for the end of the year," McLean said. "Also to challenge Akron for the top spot in the MAC."
Still, Thompson is weary about asking too much too soon of his young captain.
"We can't heap too much on his shoulders too soon," Thompson said. "We'll do our best here to help him reach his potential."
