The Portland Pilots men’s soccer squad has vaulted to third place in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, a jump of three spots from the preseason projection of sixth. Their ascent follows a gritty 1‑1 draw against the California Golden Bears that opened the season, a game that also marked the 17th consecutive unbeaten outing at home, and the match drew 3,234 spectators, ranking among the most attended home openings in program history.
The team’s climb is rooted in a series of consistent performances that have kept them inside the top ten of the United Soccer Coaches poll every week since September of the previous year. Historically, this is the highest preseason placement since 1996 and the best showing in the TopDrawerSoccer poll since 1989.
A historic home stretch
Looking ahead, the Pilots are slated to test their mettle against the No. 11 Washington Huskies on August 27 before traveling to face the Princeton Tigers on August 31, setting the stage for a compelling stretch of games.