/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71283173/IMG_3475.0.jpg)
The UCF Knights’ Men’s Soccer team is about to enter the most interesting transitional period of any UCF team. Unlike the rest of UCF’s sports, they’re not going to the Big 12 in 2023, since the conference doesn’t sponsor men’s soccer. Instead, they’re going to the Sun Belt alongside fellow Big 12 school West Virginia and the SEC’s Kentucky and South Carolina.
In the meantime, the Knights embark on their final campaign in The American facing a re-tooled league, which added four teams from Conference USA — two of which made the NCAA Tournament last year, and one other was one win away.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Last Season
9-8 (6-4 AAC), 2nd place in The American
Postseason: Lost in AAC Championship to Tulsa 2-1, Missed NCAA Tournament
UCF had its three-year conference regular season championship streak snapped but still finished second in a fall season that came immediately after an abbreviated off-season following a COVID-delayed spring 2021 campaign that saw UCF win the double in the AAC.
Seven wins over an eight-game stretch — including a 3-2 victory over No. 6 Tulsa at home — put the Knights at 8-4 and 6-1 in the league with just three matches left in the regular season.
But then they lost all three to USF, SMU, and Tulsa, which meant they had to win The American Tournament to get to the NCAAs.
Still, they came within one goal of pulling it off, falling to Tulsa 2-1 on a late goal. Their NCAA bubble burst with a final RPI of 58.
This Season
Picked 2nd in The American’s preseason coaches poll
With all 9 first-place votes, @TulsaMSoccer has been named the unanimous 2022 @American_Conf preseason favorite! pic.twitter.com/jIoNiABBF0
— American MSoccer (@American_MSoc) August 23, 2022
Yes, the conference looks a lot different this year — more on that in a second.
Tulsa was in the top ten last year and was the unanimous pick to win according to the league’s coaches (you’re not allowed to vote for yourself, hence the one vote for FIU).
Right on UCF’s heels are two newcomers from C-USA, Charlotte and FIU. The Panthers were last year’s regular season champs in C-USA. It’s possible that at least three and maybe as many as five teams could get into the NCAAs from this year’s AAC.
Who’s in Charge
Scott Calabrese — 6th season at UCF
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13386865/UCF_Mens_Soccer_30.jpg)
Under Scott Calabrese, UCF has never finished lower than second in The American and has never failed to reach the AAC Tournament Final.
Yet, the heartbreak has been real. They have only won that tournament once, with three of those losses coming to SMU, and two of them in overtime or PKs. The heartbreak is real, which is what made Spring 2021’s double so sweet.
Calabrese is just five wins from tying Bryan Cunningham for third-most all-time by a UCF head coach.
Scott Calabrese’s UCF Career
Year | Overall | Conference | AAC Reg. Season | AAC Tournament | NCAA Tournament |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Overall | Conference | AAC Reg. Season | AAC Tournament | NCAA Tournament |
2017 | 8-6-2 | 4-2-1 | 2nd | Lost AAC Final in OT (SMU) | - |
2018 | 13-3-3 | 5-1-1 | 1st | Lost AAC Final in PKs (SMU) | Bye/Lost 2nd Round in OT (Lipscomb) |
2019 | 15-3-2 | 6-0-1 | 1st | Lost AAC Final (SMU) | Bye/Lost 3rd Round in OT (at SMU) |
2020* | 9-4-1 | 7-3 | 1st | Won AAC Tournament | Bye/Lost Sweet 16 (Pitt) |
2021 | 9-8 | 6-4 | 2nd | Lost AAC Final (Tulsa) | - |
2022 | 6-7 | 3-6 | 8th | - | - |
Total | 60-31-8 | 31-16-3 | 3 Titles | 1 Title | 3 Appearances |
Listen to our preview podcast with Coach Calabrese here:
What to Watch for
Meet the new guys
Welcome to The @American_Conf!
— American MSoccer (@American_MSoc) May 4, 2022
We've announced @UAB_MSOC, @CharlotteMSoc, @FAUMSoccer and @FIUMensSoccer as new affiliate members. pic.twitter.com/P0Ps1SI6MJ
With the dissolution of Conference USA’s sponsorship of Men’s Soccer, The American added three future full members of the conference as Men’s Soccer-only affiliates a year early: Charlotte, FAU, and UAB. FIU joined the trio and will remain a Men’s Soccer-only member for the foreseeable future.
The Panthers won the C-USA last season but still earned a 13-seed in the NCAAs. Charlotte also made the NCAAs but lost in the first round. FAU got to the C-USA Championship but lost to Kentucky in OT. Had they won, they may have stolen Charlotte’s bid. UAB was just bad.
But either way, the AAC added three RPI Top-100 teams, making it eight of the ten total schools. The schedule also had to be adjusted, with the conference going from playing home-and-homes to one match against each team.
Who’s manning the net?
UCF spent much of last season figuring out who would take the place of Yannik Oettl, who was a goalkeeper extraordinaire for four seasons.
Redshirt junior Matt Douglass, who filled in for Oettl for a pair of matches in the spring of 2021, started the season in the net but gave up 10 goals in five games. He gave way to redshirt freshman Tyler Lavigne who saw the most action, winning seven of his ten starts and posting a 1.93 GAA. But he gave way to redshirt sophomore Bernardo Brandao from Brazil, who started the final three matches — against Tulsa twice and Memphis — and gave up four total goals while nearly backstopping UCF to the NCAAs.
Lavigne and Douglass are back, but joining them are freshmen Luciano Natoli from Miami and Juanvi Munoz from Spain.
Who to Watch
Congratulations to this year’s @American_Conf Preseason All-Conference Team! pic.twitter.com/uSbzKM631d
— American MSoccer (@American_MSoc) August 23, 2022
A trio of returning Knights, F Lucca Dourado, F Gino Vivi, and D Anderson Rosa, were selected to the AAC Preseason All-Conference team, tied with FIU for the second-most selections behind Tulsa. Dourado was the only non-Tulsa player that was selected to the team unanimously.
#9 Lucca Dourado - Forward
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23961658/IMG_3413_M.jpg)
The Brazilian is back with a new number (he was #22 in 2021) after a sophomore season that saw him unanimously selected First Team All-AAC with 13 goals, tied for 10th-most in the nation.
He also played 300 fewer minutes than fellow forward Gino Vivi, who was second on the team in goals with seven.
Dourado has been listed a “player to watch” by the United Soccer Coaches organization.
#7 Gino Vivi - Forward
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23961659/IMG_3338_M.jpg)
Speaking of Vivi, the native of Costa Rica said in a tweet back in early August that the 2022 season would be his last as a Knight, although Calabrese did verify on the Black and Gold Banneret podcast that he does have an extra year of eligibility if he wishes to use it.
Vivi scored seven goals and notched six assists last season en route to Second Team All-AAC honors
He was also named as a “player to watch” by the United Soccer Coaches, though he was put on the midfielder list, despite being listed on the roster as a forward alongside Dourado.
One last ride. One last season. ⚡️@UCF_MSoccer pic.twitter.com/wINCg4IKoz
— Gino Vivi (@GinoVivi) August 6, 2022
#6 Anderson Rosa - Defender
Three of our guys have been named to the @American_MSoc Preseason All-Conference Team
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) August 23, 2022
Lucca was named to the squad ⚔️ #ChargeOn
: https://t.co/fkIAgmqCr1 pic.twitter.com/VhvCOxR3yo
While the starting goalkeeper role changed hands last season, Rosa remained a steadfast presence on the backline, clocking in the most minutes of any player on the team with 1,532. He also scored one goal and notched four assists, and was selected as Second Team All-AAC last year.
With the goalkeeping situation potentially still in flux, Rosa’s newly-retooled backline will be vital to the Knights’ defensive efforts this season.
#10 Mauricio Villalobos - Midfielder
Our captain celebrated his birthday this weekend!
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) August 22, 2022
Join us in sending Mauricio some birthday wishes! ⚔ #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/YY7NaqUI4u
While not selected to the preseason all-conference team like the trio above, the Costa Rica native is a pillar of leadership for the team.
Villalobos has been a captain for the team in the last two seasons and is slated to take the role again this season.
“I think what has been exciting is that he has leveled up as a leader,” Calabrese said after the team’s scrimmage against Jacksonville. “When you’re a leader, you need people to follow behind you, and he’s got that as well.”
On the pitch, Villalobos scored two goals and notched five assists last season en route to Second Team All-AAC honors.
Who We’ll Miss
Nick Taylor - Forward/Midfielder
NICK IS STAYING IN THE 407!
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) January 12, 2022
He's been drafted by @OrlandoCitySC in the third round of the MLS #SuperDraft!#ChargeOn ⚔ #UCFamily pic.twitter.com/iHYaUvSNyH
The SMU transfer only spent his final year of collegiate eligibility as a Knight, but in that one season, he led the team with 9 assists (tied for 18th in the nation) and scored three goals en route to Second Team All-AAC honors.
Taylor remained in the City Beautiful after he was selected with the 74th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City SC. He currently plays for the club's MLS Next Pro league affiliate, Orlando City B, where he has scored one goal, notched two assists, and is second on the team in tackles with 18.
To learn more about Taylor’s collegiate journey that took him from New Mexico to Dallas and, finally, to Orlando, check out the Know Your Knight article on him from last year.
Yanis Leerman - Defender
Yanis is headed to The Windy City!
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) January 11, 2022
The @ChicagoFire select our All-American defender with the 85th pick in the MLS #SuperDraft!#ChargeOn ⚔ #UCFamily pic.twitter.com/dguqI84Zi1
The French defender scored a goal and tallied three assists en route to being selected Second Team All-AAC in 2021.
While Leerman was drafted by the Chicago Fire with the 85th overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft, he has since transferred to Pittsburgh, where he will play his final season of collegiate eligibility.
Fresh faces for the Fall
— Pitt Men's Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) August 10, 2022
1️⃣5️⃣: Ideal Shefqeti
3️⃣1️⃣: Killian Vallant
1️⃣9️⃣: Josh Luchini
5️⃣: Yanis Leerman#H2P pic.twitter.com/f0zngrdaDU
Who’s New That’s Good
#3 Raphaël Crivello - Defender
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/23954550/usa_today_16085434.jpg)
UCF and Pittsburgh essentially swapped French defenders this offseason, with the Panthers getting Yanis Leerman and the Knights getting Raphaël Crivello.
A starter in all 20 of Pittsburgh’s matches last season, Crivello tallied 1,812 minutes of playing time last season, scoring three goals and getting two assists.
Calabrese praised Crivello’s intelligence and decision-making during his interview on the Black and Gold Banneret podcast.
#23 AJ Seals - Midfielder
ICYMI: Our own AJ Seals got some airtime on TV27 this Saturday. #TheFutureIsPurple pic.twitter.com/fR3jUqKkfI
— Orlando City SC DA (@OCSC_Academy) July 17, 2018
Seals makes his grand hometown return after graduating Magna Cum Laude from NC State.
He played in 17 games with the Wolfpack last season, starting 13 of them, tallied 1,233 minutes, and notched two assists.
“Every day AJ plays within our team, I notice how much he’s taking in, with our system and how to play, and he’s just already become a very effective central midfield player for us,” Calabrese said.
Before joining NC State, Seals spent 2013-2017 in the Orlando City SC Pro Academy. He spent the 2017 season with UCF alum Hadji Berry on Orlando City B, where he made one five-minute appearance on June 14 north of the border against Toronto FC.
Who’s On the Roster
- 8 seniors and 5th-years
- 13 returners
- 4 transfers
- 10 incoming freshmen
- 9 Floridians — 3 from Central Florida
- 15 International players (Costa Rica, Brazil, New Zealand, Spain, Senegal, France, Ghana)
2022 UCF Men’s Soccer Roster
No. | Name | Pos | Year | Hometown | 2021 School | 2021 Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Name | Pos | Year | Hometown | 2021 School | 2021 Stats |
1 | Tyler Lavigne | GK | R-So | St. Cloud, FL | UCF | 10 games (7-3), 19 GA, 1.93 GAA, 32 saves, 0.627 save %, All-AAC Rookie Team |
2 | Zane Bubb | D | R-Sr | Jacksonville, FL | Virginia Tech | Injured in only game played, missed remainder of season |
3 | Raphaël Crivello | D | Sr | Bordeaux, France | Pittsburgh | 20 games played (started all 20), 1,812 minutes played, 3 goals, 2 assists, 8 points |
4 | Andres Hernandez Betancur | D | 5Y | San Jose, Costa Rica | UCF | Injured in first game, missed rest of season (50 career matches played) |
5 | Ousmane Ba | M | So | Senegal | Oregon State | Made one appearence for one minute |
6 | Anderson Rosa | D | Jr | Salvador, Brazil | UCF | 1,532 minutes played, 1 goal, 4 assists, 6 points, 2nd Team All-AAC |
7 | Gino Vivi | F | Sr | San Jose, Costa Rica | UCF | 1,376 minutes played, 7 goals, 6 assists, 20 points, 2nd Team All-AAC |
8 | Beto Ydrach | M | R-Jr | Orlando, FL | UCF | 14 games played (started 8), 792 minutes played, 1 goal, 2 points |
9 | Lucca Dourado | F | Jr | Sao Paulo, Brazil | UCF | 1,029 minutes played, 13 goals, 2 assists, 28 points, unanimous 1st Team All-AAC |
10 | Mauricio Villalobos Vega | M | 5Y | San Jose, Costa Rica | UCF | 1,383 minutes played, 2 goals, 5 assists, 9 points, 2nd Team All-AAC |
11 | Lucas Mauro | F | Jr | Sao Paulo, Brazil | UCF | 16 games played (started 3), 459 minutes played, 1 goal, 2 points, All-AAC Rookie Team |
12 | Robbie Soronellas | M | Sr | Lutz, FL | UCF | 17 games played (started 13), 1,329 minutes played |
13 | Josiah Ramirez | M | R-Jr | Harrisburg, PA | UCF | 3 games played, 36 minutes played, 1 goal, 2 points |
16 | Timothy Arias | D | Fr | Alajuela, Costa Rica | Bri-Bri College | Youngest player to make his professional debut in the second division of Costa Rica. |
17 | Oscar Hough | M | Fr | Wellington, New Zealand | Wellington College | Was a part of the U-20 New Zealand Men's Training Squad |
18 | Owen Guske | D | R-So | Jacksonville, FL | UCF | 4 games played (started 2), 178 minutes played |
19 | Kevin Andrews | F | So | Minneapolis, MN | UCF | 16 games played (started 1), 450 minutes played, 3 assists, 3 points, All-AAC Rookie Team |
20 | Brandon Calderon | D | Fr | Alajuela, Costa Rica | Santa Teresa | Was a captain of the Costa Rica National team at the U-15, U-17 and U-20 levels. |
21 | Emmanuel Bam | F | Fr | Accra, Ghana | Right to Dream | 36 goals, 18 assists, first UCF Men's Soccer player from Right to Dream |
22 | Federico Tafur | F | Fr | San Jose, Costa Rica | Club Sports Cartagines | Did a gap year to play at the highest level of Costa Rican soccer and had the opportunity to make his professional debut |
23 | AJ Seals | M | R-Sr | Orlando, FL | NC State | 17 games played (started 13), 1,233 minutes played, 2 assists, 2 points |
24 | Maël Haise | D | Fr | Laval, France | Harry d'Arras | Related to Franck Haise, who played 350 games in Ligue 2 in France |
25 | Matt Douglas | GK | R-Sr | Clearwater, FL | UCF | 5 games (1-3), 10 GA, 2.38 GAA, 11 saves, 0.524 save % |
27 | Luciano Natoli | GK | Fr | Miami Beach, FL | Cypress Bay HS | Played on Inter Miami ll prior to committing |
28 | Junior Trucillo | F | Fr | Tega Cay, SC | Fort Mill HS | 21 goals, listed as one of TopDrawer Soccer's ECNL National Showcase Best XI |
29 | Joey Mueller | F | Fr | St. John's Co., FL | Creekside HS | 29 goals, 13 assists, team MVP, named to All-Conference Team, and was team captain |
31 | Juanvi Muñoz | GK | Fr | Valencia, Spain | Escuelas Pías Valencia | Former club was Getafe B in the Spanish soccer system |
The Schedule
With the expanded conference lineup, UCF plays only five games out of the conference, including two each against Big West and ASUN teams. Of the first five opponents, only Wake Forest finished in the RPI Top 140 last season.
The conference did UCF zero favors in the Knights’ final season, with five of their nine league matches on the road, including trips to the two best teams in the conference (Tulsa and FIU). At least UCF will face SMU and FAU at home.
UCF Men’s Soccer 2022 Schedule
Date | Day | H/A | Time | Opponent | Conf - Preseason Rank | Coaches Poll | 2021 | RPI | UCF's Results LY | Last Season |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date | Day | H/A | Time | Opponent | Conf - Preseason Rank | Coaches Poll | 2021 | RPI | UCF's Results LY | Last Season |
Aug 25 | Thu | Away | 8:00 PM | Wake Forest | ACC - 2nd | 15 | 13-7-1 | 28 | - | 3rd ACC Atlantic (6th Overall), Lost ACC QF (Duke), Lost NCAA 3rd Round (4 Notre Dame) |
Aug 29 | Mon | Home | 7:00 PM | North Florida | ASUN - 6th | - | 4-8-1 | 141 | Won 5-0 | Last in ASUN |
Sep 2 | Fri | Away | 7:00 PM | FGCU | ASUN - 3rd | - | 4-8-1 | 139 | Won 6-2 | 3rd ASUN, Lost ASUN 1st Round (Bellarmine) |
Sep 5 | Mon | Home | 3:00 PM | UC Riverside | Big West - 4th | - | 9-7-3 | 145 | - | T-6th Big West, Lost BWC Semifinal in PKs (UC-Irvine) |
Sep 9 | Fri | Away | 9:00 PM | UC Irvine | Big West - T1st | - | 8-8-4 | 129 | - | T-1st Big West, Lost BWC Final (UC-Santa Barbara) |
Sep 17 | Sat | Away | 7:00 PM | Temple | American - 9th | - | 2-12-2 | 157 | W 4-1, W @ 3-0 | Finished Last in AAC |
Sep 24 | Sat | Away | 8:00 PM | Memphis | American - 7th | - | 6-9-2 | 93 | W @ 3-1, L 3-0, W 6-0* | Finished T-2nd in AAC, Lost AAC Semifinal (UCF) |
Sep 30 | Fri | Home | 7:00 PM | FAU | American - 8th | - | 9-7-3 | 89 | - | Finished 6th in C-USA, Lost C-USA Final in OT (Kentucky) |
Oct 5 | Wed | Home | 7:00 PM | SMU | American - 5th | - | 8-5-3 | 53 | W @ 2-1, L 5-0 | Finished T-2nd in AAC, Lost AAC Semifinal (Tulsa) |
Oct 9 | Sun | Away | 6:00 PM | FIU | American - T3rd | 18 | 12-4-2 | 22 | Lost 4-0 | Finished 1st in C-USA, Lost C-USA semis (Kentucky), NCAA 13-seed, L 2nd Round (Wake Forest) |
Oct 14 | Fri | Away | 8:00 PM | UAB | American - Last | - | 2-12-1 | 171 | - | Finished last in C-USA |
Oct 22 | Sat | Home | 7:00 PM | Charlotte | American - T3rd | - | 10-6-1 | 47 | - | Finished 3rd in C-USA, Lost C-USA QF (FAU) in PKs, Lost NCAA 1st Round (Georgia St.) |
Oct 28 | Fri | Away | 7:00 PM | Tulsa | American - 1st | 11 | 16-2-1 | 9 | W 3-2, L @ 2-1, L @ 2-1** | Finished 1st in AAC, Won AAC Tournament, NCAA 6-seed, L 3rd Round (11 West Virginia) |
Nov 2 | Wed | Home | 7:00 PM | South Florida | American - 6th | - | 6-7-2 | 92 | W @ 3-2, L 4-3 (OT) | Finished 5th in AAC |
American Athletic Conference Tournament
- The top two teams receive a bye to the semifinals
- First Round (at 3-seed and 4-seed’s campus): Nov. 6
- Semifinals (at regular-season champion): Nov. 10
- Final (at regular-season champion): Nov. 13
The Last Time...
UCF hosted an NCAA Tournament Game: 2019.
#1 - NCAA Tournament Victory
— UCF Men's Soccer (@UCF_MSoccer) March 27, 2020
An absolute from Yannik at the other end sets up Gino to assist Cal on the golden goal.
The win advanced us to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history ⚔️ #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/S8lH66ZEkL
UCF has hosted four times since 2010, going 3-1:
2010 — Won 1st Round vs. South Florida, 3-0
2011 — Won 1st Round vs. FGCU, 1-0 (OT)
2018 — #14 National Seed with a Bye, Lost 2nd Round vs. Lipscomb, 1-0 (OT)
2019 — #9 National Seed with a Bye, Won 2nd Round vs. Missouri State, 2-1 (OT)
Follow the Knights
Follow our UCF Men’s Soccer Twitter list below for all the latest from the Knights, including the coaches, players, and news from around NCAA Men’s Soccer.
Loading comments...