The Portland Pilots men’s soccer program will stage a Purple‑White Intrasquad Scrimmage on August 7 at 7 p.m. on the familiar turf of Merlo Field. The matchup is open to anyone who wants to watch, and admission is free, though the venue will not serve concessions.
The scrimmage serves as the first of three preseason contests the Pilots have scheduled before the official start of the 2025 campaign. It offers a rare glimpse into the squad’s chemistry after a breakout season that saw the team climb to sixth in the United Soccer Coaches national poll.
A look back at the 2024‑25 campaign reveals why optimism is high. The Pilots posted a 14‑2‑4 overall record, went 6‑1‑2 in West Coast Conference play, and posted the best win percentage since 1988 at .800. Their defense was equally impressive, allowing just 12 goals — the fewest since that year — and they set a new assist record with 56.
During that run the team even reached No. 1 in the national rankings for the first time since 1992, a milestone that underscored the program’s rapid ascent. The run culminated in a quarterfinal appearance at the NCAA Tournament, the second such showing in the past four seasons.
Looking Forward
The upcoming schedule will test the Pilots on the road. After the August 7 scrimmage, they travel to face Seattle U on August 11 and Oregon State on August 14 before returning home for their season opener on August 21 against the California Golden Bears at Merlo Field. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the coaching staff believes the early tests will sharpen the squad’s tactics and depth ahead of conference play. Fans who attended the free scrimmage will get an early look at the lineup that could shape the Pilots’ pursuit of another deep NCAA run.