It’s nearly time for the collegiate season to start for the local university programs. Here is a preview of what to expect before the first whistle.
UCR
Schedule
Along with their calendar for the year, a significant fixture is the crosstown rivalry match with innercity college California Baptist University. This season, the Highlanders visit the Lancers for the 7th time. Last season, both programs split points with a 1-1 result at UCR. So far, the UCR squad has the better record over CBU in head-to-head play with a 3-1-2 record.
Last season
The Highlanders return to play after their 2023 season. Last year, they had an overall record of 3-9-5 and 3-3-3 in the Big West conference. They did clinch the playoffs for a third consecutive season, losing on the road to UCSB 3-2 in the first round.
Coach
Tim Cupello enters his 14th year as head coach of the Highlanders. As the program’s most successful coach, he helped the riverside program get two Big West titles in 2018 and 2022.
Notable Player(s)
USL 2: Redlands FC—Luka Lukic (9 goals in 9 games, club leader) and Noah Lopez (3 goals in 13 games). For those unaware of the USL 2 league, it is a pre-professional collegiate summer league designed for NCAA players to stay in condition without losing eligibility.
UPSL: Inland Empire FC—Alfonso Ramirez, with an opening goal for the Eagles in the UPSL national western finals, helped IEFC reach the UPSL semifinals. The UPSL is another non-professional league that operates a fall and spring season that’s open to any players with ambitions to become professional.
Opinion
If it’s anything like last season, Coach Cupello focuses on the conference games. He is not worried about the lead-up to the Big West play; Big West play is all the focus. He does have a good alum network, with former highlanders coming in for assistant coaching positions (Romario Lomeli). Those alumni connections help bring mentorship to the players.
Poll
I conducted an Instagram poll asking my followers if they think these programs will make it to the postseason; this is the result.
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 22 | 79% |
| No | 6 | 21% |
CBU
Schedule
Along with their calendar for the year, a significant fixture is the crosstown rivalry match with innercity college University of California Riverside. This season, the Lancers host the Highlanders for the 7th match. Last season, both programs split points with a 1-1 result at UCR. So far, the Lancers squad has a 2-1-3 record.
Coach
Coe Michaelson is in his 8th season as the head coach of the Lancers, winning back-to-back WAC titles in 2022 & 2023.
Last Season
The 2023 Lancer season was the most historic run in the program’s history. They recorded a 10-6-4 overall record and 5-1-2 in the WAC conference. They clinched the NCAA national playoffs but fell to Marshall 3-0 in the second round.
Opinion
German star Luis Mueller made the big move to LAFC, helping the Lancers last season. They have loads of local talent and are a possession-based team. We should expect them to repeat that run.
Poll
Postseason?
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 21 | 81% |
| No | 5 | 19% |
CSUSB
Last Season
The Yotes finished their 2023 season with a 7-7-4 record, 4-5-2 in the CCAA conference. They clinched the playoffs after missing out on the 2022 season but fell to CSUMB 1-0 in the first round.
Coach
This 2024 season will be the 3rd year for coach Josh Hill. Since taking over after COVID, he has had a successful 2021 season where the Coyotes lost to CPP 2-1 in the CCAA championship and is looking for another successful run.
Notable Players
Brian Castillo (among others like Micheal Maldonaldo and Alejandro Valdivia) had a successful run with IEFC of the UPSL. The Eagles are in the national playoffs, and Brian has 8 goals with them.
Opinion
The way how IEFC plays by keeping it on the ground, using the wings, and having high player IQ seems to come with chemistry in the players’ understanding of their style. This play style differs from the ping-and-chase style of the Yotes, who conform to the NCAA way of American physicality by not using the midfield. If Brian, Micheal, and Alejandro keep that momentum for the Yotes in September, Cal State could benefit and be successful.
Poll
Postseason?
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 20 | 77% |
| No | 6 | 23% |
U of R
Last season
In 2023, the Bulldogs finished with a 12-3-3 record, 8-2-2 in the SCIAC conference. That record get them to the playoffs where they fell in the conference finals to Occidental college 3-0 on the road.
Coach
This will be Ralph Perez’s 18th season with the Bulldogs, having a successful tenure with U of R to five SCIAC titles, with their most recent one in 2021. Arguably, he is one of the most successful coaches in the IE; he has had the honor of receiving the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) West Region Coach of the Year four times.
Opinion
Nothing; they are always in the top 4 in the SCIAC. That’s the expectation, and I don’t think anything less. Assistant coach Cody led Redlands FC to 4th place in USL 2 Southwest, with no playoffs.
Poll
Postseason?
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 14 | 61% |
| No | 9 | 39% |
LSU
Last season
The Eagles finished the 2023 season with a 7-8-2 record, 5-5-2 in conference. That performance did not land them in a playoff spot. La Sierra has been in a plateau with seven or nine overall wins since 2018.
Coach
This will be coach David Trevino’s 9th season as head coach of the eagles. He was also head coach of the women’s program around the same time and has been involved with the LSU soccer programs for nearly 15 years since he was assistant coach prior to being the head coach.
Opinion
Honestly, I don’t have one. Coach Trevino has been in charge for a while, and the Eagles have yet to have a title-running season. Is there another season where they fall short? Possibly.
Poll
Postseason?
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 12 | 57% |
| No | 9 | 43% |