Historic preseason ranking
The Portland Pilots men’s soccer program reached a new high in preseason expectations, landing at No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 – the highest placement the team has ever earned.
The achievement reflects a sustained upward trajectory that began several years ago, but it is the first time the Pilots have broken into the top ten of the national rankings since the program’s early decades.
Building on that momentum, the 2024 squad posted a 14‑2‑4 record, marking the best win percentage for the team since 1988 and delivering a string of results that kept them inside the top ten for the final ten weeks of the regular season.
The Pilots capped the campaign with a run to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, advancing the program to the quarterfinal round for the second time in four years and reinforcing the belief that the team can compete with the nation’s elite.
Exhibitions and the road ahead
The preseason schedule includes a free scrimmage on Aug. 7 at Merlo Field, followed by road matches against Seattle University on Aug. 11 and Oregon State on Aug. 14. The regular season opens on Aug. 21 against the California Golden Bears, a game that will be streamed live on the team’s official site, PortlandPilots.com, where tickets, live stats and video options are also available.
Fans looking to support the program can contribute through donations to University of Portland Athletics, a fund that helps sustain more than 300 student‑athletes across the university’s intercollegiate sports.