The Michigan State men's soccer team is set to begin its 70th season by welcoming the University at Albany to East Lansing on August 20, 2026. The matchup at DeMartin Stadium will be the first ever between the Spartans and the Great Danes, a milestone that has the campus community buzzing.
A season of renewal
After finishing the 2025 campaign with a 5‑8‑3 overall record and a 2‑5‑3 mark in Big Ten play, Michigan State returns seven starters while replacing four departed regulars. Head coach Damon Rensing, now in his 18th year, has named Richie Ludwig, Miles Merritt and Will Eby as the team's captains for the upcoming season.
The roster reshuffle includes the addition of five of last year's top scorers, among them senior midfielder Miles Merritt, who led the team with ten points and four goals in 2025. Junior defender Brandon Munson and sophomore midfielder Peter Soudan also return, bringing experience and versatility to the side.
Key players to watch
Three Spartans earned spots on the 2026 Big Ten Players to Watch List: Merritt, Munson and Soudan. Merritt, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, will anchor the midfield, while Munson, from Spring Hill, Florida, contributed a goal and an assist a year ago. Soudan, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, tallied four assists and three goals in his debut season and will look to build on that momentum.
UAlbany arrives with its own preseason buzz, having placed three players — senior midfielder Ivar Gissurarson, sophomore midfielder Alexander Clive and junior defender Rodrigo Hermelo — on the America East preseason team. The Great Danes finished the previous season at 5‑6‑6 overall and 3‑2‑2 in the America East Conference.
Tradition and attendance
Michigan State's soccer program has built a strong fan base, ranking eighth nationally in attendance last year with an average of 2,236 spectators, third highest in the Big Ten behind Maryland and Indiana. The Spartans have a history of drawing large crowds, and the opening game against Albany is expected to continue that tradition.
The team wrapped up preseason with two exhibition matches, tying Loyola Chicago 1‑1 and drawing with Notre Dame 2‑2, providing a useful gauge of chemistry before the regular season begins.
Looking ahead
With a blend of seasoned leadership and promising young talent, the Spartans aim to improve on last year's record and climb higher in both conference standings and national rankings. The season opener against Albany will serve as the first test of this new-look squad, and fans will be eager to see how the new captains and key players translate preseason form into competitive play.