A New Frontier for the Rams
Fordham University’s men’s soccer program opens its 2026 campaign with a pair of road tests that will take the Bulldogs farther west than ever before. On August 20 the team will meet Gonzaga at 10 p.m. Eastern, followed three days later by a showdown with Santa Clara at 10:15 p.m. EST.
The matches mark the first time the Rams will face a Pac‑12 opponent on the field and represent a return to West Coast Conference competition after a 35‑year hiatus. Both games are scheduled for nighttime kick‑offs, underscoring the program’s growing national profile.
Entering the season, Fordham carries an 8‑6‑4 record from the previous year, a résumé that earned the squad a fourth‑place preseason projection in the Atlantic 10 by league coaches. Head coach Carlo Acquista, who has guided the Rams to a 3‑3‑1 start in three of the past four season openers, will look to build on that experience.
Gonzaga, in its inaugural Pac‑12 season, finished 2025 with a 5‑8‑3 overall mark and a 2‑5‑2 record in the West Coast Conference. The Bulldogs’ recent transition adds a layer of uncertainty, making the upcoming encounter a litmus test for both programs.
Santa Clara, meanwhile, opens its own season on August 20 with a home game against Cleveland State before hosting Fordham on August 23. The Rams’ prior meeting with the Broncos in 2024 ended in a 4‑0 victory, while a 1989 clash with San Francisco remains the only other WCC encounter on record.
Looking Ahead
As the Bulldogs embark on what promises to be a challenging stretch, the coaching staff and players remain focused on translating early‑season momentum into conference play. The outcomes against Gonzaga and Santa Clara could set the tone for a campaign that aims to climb the Atlantic 10 standings and re‑establish Fordham as a contender in the region.