Season Opener Preview
The Michigan State Spartans will open their 2026 preseason with a home exhibition against Loyola Chicago on August 8, kicking off at 5 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium, where the team plans to showcase a revamped roster under longtime coach Damon Rensing.
This match is part of a demanding slate that includes six opponents who reached the NCAA Tournament last year, among them Big Ten rivals Washington, Indiana, Michigan and Maryland, as well as UCLA and Kansas City, with Washington standing as the recent national champion.
Rensing, now in his nineteenth year at the helm, has guided the program through a turbulent 2023 season that was cut short by severe weather after just 54 minutes of play, a disruption that has only sharpened the team's focus for the upcoming campaign.
Returning standouts Peter Soudan, the 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and sophomore Luke Spadafora, a Big Ten All‑Freshman Team member, are expected to anchor the midfield after combining for seven points in the previous season.
Adding depth to the roster is senior transfer Leo Conneh from Liberty, who earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches Midfielder to Watch list and brings experience from a strong collegiate program.
The Spartans will host eleven regular‑season games at DeMartin Stadium, where last year’s average attendance reached 2,236 fans, underscoring the community’s steady support as the team builds momentum.
The official season opener is scheduled for August 20 against Albany at 7 p.m., marking the start of what coaches and players hope will be a resilient and competitive year.