LenDale White Defends Lincoln Riley, Predicts USC Playoff Look

USC has by no means made the Faculty Soccer Playoff, but it surely’s a streak that’ll quickly come to a screeching halt, in response to a Trojans nice, who tells TMZ Sports activities Lincoln Riley‘s Southern California squad is gearing as much as kick ass this season!

We just lately bumped into SC legend LenDale White at LAX … and with the group coming off a disappointing 7-6 season, we requested half of Thunder and Lightning for his outlook on the 2025 marketing campaign.

“I really feel like my Trojans can be within the Faculty Soccer Playoffs. I consider in Lincoln. I consider we acquired some guys round right here that is gonna get the job completed. And I am excited to see what this yr brings for us!”

White clearly has little doubt SC has the fitting coach, however not everybody agrees … and after three so-so seasons in L.A., Riley’s reportedly on the recent seat. Everybody from followers to high school brass needs a winner.

However LenDale says these expectations is probably not completely honest given the present school soccer panorama.

“If you’re a Trojan we’re imagined to win. We’re anticipated to win,” White mentioned. “I can perceive what it’s, however on this new day and age of the faculty athlete that may switch out each time they really feel prefer it, as quickly because it will get a little bit exhausting, they depart.”

“It isn’t like while you had the Pete Carroll‘s and even the [Nick] Saban‘s and stuff.”

In fact, school soccer was a lot totally different when these legendary coaches roamed the sidelines.

Gamers could not (legally) be paid, and in the event that they wished to switch, they have been nearly at all times required to take a seat out a season. That is not the case anymore.

“When you may’t maintain these gamers or maintain the fellows round on a regular basis as a result of they’re working away from competitors, I am unable to at all times put it on the coaches.”

White, an All-American, starred at SC between 2003 and 2005 when this system was arguably the very best in all of school soccer, going 37-2, and profitable a Nationwide Championship.

That was earlier than the Faculty Soccer Playoff system was applied — and with the expanded format, 12 groups will in the end vie for the natty. LenDale believes SC will occupy one of many spots.

The Trojans kick off their season in lower than per week once they play Missouri State on Saturday.

There’s extra with LenDale … who additionally provides us a assessment of his backfield mate Reggie Bush‘s efficiency in “Blissful Gilmore 2.”