The United Soccer Coaches have released their 2026 preseason poll, placing the North Carolina State Wolfpack men’s soccer team at No. 2 in the nation, a testament to the program’s rapid ascent.
A year ago, the Wolfpack made history by reaching the College Cup final for the first time, finishing as runners‑up after a season that saw them spend multiple weeks atop the rankings.
Head coach Marc Hubbard, now in his fifth year at the helm, guided that breakthrough campaign and continues to shape a roster that blends home‑grown talent with a wave of European prospects.
The departure of key contributors from the 2025 squad — including the team’s leading scorer and a lockdown defender — could have stalled progress, but the coaching staff used the offseason to assemble one of the most highly rated recruiting classes in school history.
Among the newcomers are several standout players from top European leagues, a move that adds depth and international experience to a group already accustomed to high‑pressure matches.
With a blend of veteran leadership and fresh faces, the Wolfpack are positioned not merely to defend a top‑two preseason spot but to push for the program’s first national championship.
Title Ambitions
The coaching staff’s philosophy emphasizes possession‑based play and disciplined defending, traits that helped the team dominate early in the 2025 season and that they hope will translate into a title‑contending campaign in 2026.