Syracuse men’s soccer 2018 season preview: Schedule

As we enter the end of August, we’re looking at the Syracuse Orange soccer season kicking off. The season preview started yesterday with our look into the squad’s roster. Today we’ll tackle the schedule for the coming campaign.

Since the Orange have joined the ACC, it’s always a matter of how ridiculous of a team that SU is playing, rather than a question if they’re playing anyone good. This year, we’re looking at seven ranked teams in the preseason and three of those are on the road. To have the No. 4, No. 6, and No. 11 teams as road conference games leads to a very tough schedule.

The Orange started 2-0-1 on the preseason, with victories against Canisius College and Villanova. They drew the Connecticut Huskies 0-0 to finish the preseason out, gaining some solid experience and getting some game run out.

As it stands, Syracuse starts the season on a road trip to the West Coast, hitting Oregon State and Portland. Portland, and their combination of Rey Ortiz and Benji Michel, is receiving votes in the preseason polls, and Oregon State is the season opener.

They then return home for the opener to be greeted by a Hofstra and a No. 17 Notre Dame squad who always gives a damn solid match.

If you need to slot a a handful of matches on the calendar, and not just attend all of them, look to a few key opponents. The aforementioned Notre Dame tilt should be solid. Over the last four years, these teams have played three times, with the Orange 2-1-0 and all games decided by a single goal.

Later into September, Virignia comes to town. They’re starting the year ranked No. 15 in the country. The Monday after, you’re seeing No. 25 Colgate. That seems to be a can’t-miss weekend.

The last can’t-miss home match, prior to the ACC Tournament, would be against Wake Forest on October 5. Another classic ACC match that will no doubt be a knock down - drag out fight.

Any of the road games, we will try to find you a stream if they are broadcast and let you know, (it gets easier with the ACC Network getting toward launch next year), but worst-case scenario, you can check out the match against Akron on October 1, on ESPN+ — should you be a subscriber already, that is.

Which matches are you most looking forward to?