Men’s soccer at the collegiate level has grown star athletes for decades. For many years, university soccer teams were the main way for athletes to get recruited into professional teams. But this is changing for men’s college soccer in a way that it isn’t yet for women’s college soccer. Now, many male athletes are skipping university and joining MLS academies, USL academies, or MLS Next pathways.
Still, the club-based development model is not the only way, and men’s college soccer is a viable pathway for those who want to go pro while getting an education. College programs also offer a structured environment where students can learn on and off the field. Men’s college teams are highly competitive and chock full of elite athletes who work with top-notch coaches to hone their skills and move up the ranks. Read on to discover the top men’s college soccer rankings.
| Top Men's College Soccer Teams | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Vermont | 16–2–6 |
| Marshall | 15–2–7 |
| Ohio State | 14–1–3 |
| Denver | 12–3–4 |
| SMU | 12–3–6 |
| Georgetown | 11–4–5 |
| Dayton | 13–2–3 |
| Penn | 14–3–1 |
| Hofstra | 14–4–2 |
| Clemson | 14–2–4 |
Top Men's Soccer Teams
No two men's college soccer teams are alike. Each one brings its own unique mix of skill, tactics, and talent to the field. From the University of Vermont to Clemson University, these are the teams that made waves in the last season and who you'll want to keep your eye on going into the 2025 season.
University of Vermont
Head coach Rob Dow is in his 9th season with the Vermont Catamounts. In 2024, he led them to their most historic season to date. Their record? A solid 16-2-6 overall. Plus, they boasted a 6-1-2 in the America East Conference, where they took home the tournament title. Additionally, in 2024, they grabbed the college's first NCAA national championship. During NCAA Tournament play, they bested teams like Hofstra, Pittsburgh, and Denver. After a golden goal from Maximilian Kissel in the final, they took down Marshall (2–1) during overtime. Other key players from last season include Yaniv Bazini and playmaker Sydney Wathuta.
Marshall University
Led by coach Chris Grassie, the Thundering Herd had a standout year with a 15‑2‑7 overall record and an impressive 4‑0‑5 in the Sun Belt Tournament. Grassie is going into his 9th year as Marshall's men's coach. As they ended the 2024 season as national runner-ups, the Thundering Herd are certain to be ones to watch in 2025. They beat Fuman, NC State, SMU, and Ohio State during NCAA Tournament play before losing to Vermont in the finals. Key players: Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos, who provided 15 goals and 5 assists, and Tarik Pannholzer, who scored multiple goals in the College Cup.
Ohio State University
Perhaps the biggest season in the Ohio State Buckeyes' soccer history, the team earned a 16‑2‑4 overall record, the Big Ten regular-season title, and the Big Ten Tournament championship. The team ranked first nationally in late-season polls, advancing to the College Cup semifinals and making their first Final Four appearance since 2007. The Buckeyes ultimately fell to Marshall in the Final Four. Several took home honors this year, including Senior midfielder Michael Adedokun (Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and Hermann Trophy) and Coach Brian Maisonneuve, who was crowned Big Ten Coach of the Year.
University of Denver
The Denver Pioneers are led by coach Jamie Franks. The Pioneers finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 15‑3‑5 and a conference record of 7‑1. 2024 marked the team's second-ever College Cup semifinal. Unfortunately, it didn't end in victory as the Pioneers were eliminated by Vermont during a penalty shootout. Among the star players is senior attacking midfielder Sam Bassett. He earned United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American honors and the TopDrawerSoccer National Player of the Year title.
- 15‑3‑5 overall record
- 7-1 conference record
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Last season was a breakout season for the SMU Mustangs! Ninth-year head coach Kevin Hudson led them through their first season in the ACC. The Mustangs walked away with a 12‑3‑6 overall record and a 4‑2‑2 ACC play record. Additionally, they made it to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, pushing them further into the spotlight. Defender Cesar Ruvalcaba stood out all season long as he started in all 14 matches, scored 4 goals, and made 7 assists.
Read more about women's college soccer rankings.
Georgetown University
Georgetown's Hoyas are headed up by coach Brian Wiese. Last season, they won an impressive 11–4–5 overall record and a 5–2–1 mark in Big East play. The Hoyas were seeded fourth in the conference tournament. Plus, they earned their sixth Big East Championship, in which they upset Providence 2–1 in the final. Producing 1.33 goals per game, the Hoyas showed a balance of expert offense and disciplined defense. Grad student Israel Neto helped lead the team to victory by scoring the opening goal at the Big East Championship.
University of Dayton
Thanks to the leadership of coach Dennis Currier, the Dayton Flyers enjoyed a delicious 14–3–3 overall record with an Atlantic 10 record of 5–1–2. Known for their stunning performance, the Flyers earned their second straight A‑10 Men’s Soccer Championship with a 3–0 win over Saint Louis. Andrew Armstrong was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year after scoring three game-winners over the course of his debut season.
Dennis Currier is entering his 21st season as head coach of the Dayton Flyers.
University of Pennsylvania
Coached by Brian Gill, the Penn Quakers performed well in 2024. They boast a 14–4–1 record and went undefeated in Ivy League play (7–0–0). During the regular season, they earned a #6 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Offensive player Stas Korzeniowski led the charge with 12 goals, including a decisive goal in a win over Princeton. He served as the Quakers' driving energy in scoring during the season and Ivy League play.
Hofstra University
Leading the Hofstra Pride for 37 seasons, Richard Nuttall serves as head coach. The Pride finished the 2024 season with a 14–5–2 overall record and a 5–3 in conference play. They swept the CAA Championship, and earned their fourth consecutive title through a 1–0 win over UNCW. Hailing from the UK, Laurie Goddard made award-winning moves on the field in 2024, and he was named one of the nation’s Top 100 players in Division I. Hofstra’s offense averaged 2.00 goals per game from 42 total goals.
Clemson University
Overseen by seasoned coach Mike Noonan, the Clemson Tigers rounded out 2024 with a 15–3–4 record, including a 5–2–1 ACC mark. The Tigers went into that season as defending national champions, so expectations were high. The team did not disappoint, ultimately reaching the third round in the NCAA Tournament. In terms of scoring, they made 19 total goals, 18 assists, and 55 corner kicks. Senior Joran Gerbet was honored as ACC Player of the Year thanks to his skilled offensive performance.
Key Competitions and Tournaments
The men's college soccer season is divided into five key categories. There's regular season play, of course, but there are also a bevy of conferences and tournaments to consider too. Read on to learn more about each one.
Regular Season
In the NCAA Division I, each team plays a mix of conference and non-conference games. Seasons run from late August through early November. The results from the regular season determine standings and seeding for tournaments.
Regular season play, conference tournaments, the NCAA Tournament, and the College Cup.
Conference Tournaments
Conferences follow regular-season play. The majority of conferences for men's college soccer—think ACC, Big East, AAC, A-10, CAA—host postseason tournaments in November. The winner of each tournament is then automatically entered into the NCAA Tournament.
NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship
The NCAA Tournament is a 48-team knockout tournament which starts mid-November. The winners of the previous tournaments are automatically chosen to go to the conference championships. Remaining spots are chosen by the NCAA selection committee. Finally, the top 16 teams are ranked by the selection committee and receive an extra rest or "bye."
The College Cup
Up next, we have the College Cup or Final Four. This refers to the semifinals and final of the NCAA Tournament, in which four teams advance from the earlier rounds. A neutral playing field is chosen by the NCAA, with semifinals played on a Friday and the championship on a Sunday.
Other Key Competitions
After the fall season, there are a few extra competitions to take note of. These include the spring season and exhibitions, during which college teams play informally. A team might have games against pro reserve sides (developmental teams at professional clubs). There's also the MLS SuperDraft, where some top college soccer players get drafted into professional teams.
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