When TV calls, Terps and Cirovski answer

For Terrapins men's soccer coach Sasho Cirovski, tonight's home matchup against Stanford is more than just another regular-season game — it's the realization of an initiative he started more than seven years ago.

Because as the No. 4 Terps (2-0) trot onto Ludwig Field, they'll be playing for more than their red-clad fans in the stands. They'll be playing for the additional thousands of fans who tune in to watch on Fox Soccer Channel.

The matchup will mark the sixth consecutive year the Terps are featured in an FSC College Game of the Week. This year's spot is particularly special because it officially kicks off the network's college soccer season.

In his 18 seasons leading the Terps' program, Cirovski has made it his mission to bring attention to his program. Although he understands that his many on-field accomplishments help, those successes mean exponentially more when larger audiences see them.

That's why he beams when he proclaims the Terps have five nationally televised games this season.

"I've been fighting — not only for the Maryland program, but for all of college soccer — to get more exposure," Cirovski said. "That's a source of pride."

Friday's game could also be a boon to recruiting efforts. The Terps consistently field players from all over the country — nearly 75 percent of their roster is from out of state — and a strong showing on national television could make a positive impression on any potential Terps tuning in.

And given their opponent, a big-time win isn't out of the question.

Stanford (0-1) was 8-10 last season and finished in the middle of a relatively mediocre Pac-10. Making matters worse, it lost two players to the MLS draft, and Dominique Yahyavi, last year's leading scorer, graduated.

Scoring will likely prove difficult for Stanford, as evidenced by its season-opening, 0-1 loss to Santa Clara. The Cardinal whiffed on all nine of their shot attempts and generally looked nothing like the team that appeared in two national championship games in 1998 and 2002.

Though it won't come under the pressures of cable television, the Terps will face another squad hoping to prove itself on Monday when they take on Radford (1-0) at Ludwig Field. The Highlanders finished 7-9-3 last year and lost nearly three-fourths of their roster in the offseason.

"One thing we always talk about is that no matter who we play, we always have to respect our opponent," said midfielder John Stertzer, who has scored three goals in the Terps' first two games. "Whether it's Radford, Stanford or West Virginia, it doesn't matter. It's going to be the same performance from us."

But that doesn't mean the Terps are done making adjustments.

Despite tallying wins against two quality opponents, the Terps have yet to score a first-half goal. Cirovski has spent this week of practice consistently stressing the importance of coming out aggressively.

Not surprisingly, the Terps' leading scorer seems ready to answer his coach's call.

"I'm looking forward to going out in the first half and maybe getting some goals," Stertzer said.