Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Soccer’s Giuseppe Barone to Return for the 2020 Season
3/26/2020 2:14:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The former Big Ten Midfielder of the Year Barone missed much of his senior campaign.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer midfielder Giuseppe Barone will be returning for the 2020 season as announced Thursday by MSU soccer head coach Damon Rensing. The former All-American Barone played only 45 minutes during the 2019 season because of a leg injury.
"We are extremely excited to have Giuseppe return for the 2020 season. In 2018, Giuseppe established himself as one of the top players in college soccer garnering Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and first- team All-American honors. Returning in 2019 for his senior year, Giuseppe was playing really well and continuing to grow as a leader. In my opinion he was on his way to being a first round draft pick in MLS SuperDraft," Rensing said. "Unfortunately, this injury has delayed things for a year. He was (until the break) looking very sharp in training. Having his leadership and on-field presence combined with his talent on the field this fall, he will have a great impact on not only MSU but college soccer as well."
Barone's injury was one of the first of a string of maladies for the Spartans that plagued the 2019 season. Barone and defender Patrick Nielsen, a fellow preseason Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree, both missed significant time. Michigan State had only two players, Hunter Morse and Michael Miller, start all 18 games. The Spartans ended the season with a 3-12-3 record.
"I'm excited to be returning for a bounce back year both collectively and individually. I believe this team has a lot to prove next fall, and I can't wait to play at DeMartin Stadium one more season," Barone said.
During the Spartans' run to the College Cup in 2018, Barone had a banner season. He joined Jay Chapman as the only two Spartans to be MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalists, Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and All-Americans all in the same season.
"He is such a highly technical player, and he has an innate feel for the game. He knows when to speed things up and when to slow the game down. He just sees the game several plays ahead and faster than most college players," Rensing said. "He is unpredictable in the final third of the field, which separates himself from others. Lastly, his athleticism is underrated. He covers ground very well and his first steps are quick. He is deceptively good in the air. We look forward to seeing him in the Green and White at DeMartin this fall."
With the return of Barone, the Spartans return a strong core group of players, including Morse, Miller, Farai Mutatu and Jack Beck.
"We are extremely excited to have Giuseppe return for the 2020 season. In 2018, Giuseppe established himself as one of the top players in college soccer garnering Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and first- team All-American honors. Returning in 2019 for his senior year, Giuseppe was playing really well and continuing to grow as a leader. In my opinion he was on his way to being a first round draft pick in MLS SuperDraft," Rensing said. "Unfortunately, this injury has delayed things for a year. He was (until the break) looking very sharp in training. Having his leadership and on-field presence combined with his talent on the field this fall, he will have a great impact on not only MSU but college soccer as well."
Barone's injury was one of the first of a string of maladies for the Spartans that plagued the 2019 season. Barone and defender Patrick Nielsen, a fellow preseason Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree, both missed significant time. Michigan State had only two players, Hunter Morse and Michael Miller, start all 18 games. The Spartans ended the season with a 3-12-3 record.
"I'm excited to be returning for a bounce back year both collectively and individually. I believe this team has a lot to prove next fall, and I can't wait to play at DeMartin Stadium one more season," Barone said.
During the Spartans' run to the College Cup in 2018, Barone had a banner season. He joined Jay Chapman as the only two Spartans to be MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalists, Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and All-Americans all in the same season.
"He is such a highly technical player, and he has an innate feel for the game. He knows when to speed things up and when to slow the game down. He just sees the game several plays ahead and faster than most college players," Rensing said. "He is unpredictable in the final third of the field, which separates himself from others. Lastly, his athleticism is underrated. He covers ground very well and his first steps are quick. He is deceptively good in the air. We look forward to seeing him in the Green and White at DeMartin this fall."
With the return of Barone, the Spartans return a strong core group of players, including Morse, Miller, Farai Mutatu and Jack Beck.
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