While Maryland men’s soccer may not be getting the respect it deserves throughout the country — the Terps have received six combined votes across four weeks of the United Soccer Coaches poll — there is not a person in the locker room that doesn’t believe this group is special.
In head coach Sasho Cirovski’s 33-year tenure, he’s had some stacked squads that have brought home a total of three national championships. This year’s team may be up towards the top of that list, and it’s shown early on.
It’s
not just the depth of this roster that has separated it from years past. The attacking variety has shined through five games. Maryland can score in a number of ways: breaking defenses down in possession, through its relentless defensive pressure, in transition, off set pieces or with wonder strikes from outside the box.
The Terps displayed that in their 3-1 victory over Wisconsin Friday night to open Big Ten play. Maryland netted goals on the counterattack and off a beautiful pass from Chris Steinleitner, as part of its second-half two-goal output.
The Terps take a quick break from conference play to host Pitt on Friday. The game begins at 7 p.m. and will be available on Big Ten Network.
Pitt Panthers (3-3-1, 0-2-0 ACC)
2024 record: 14-6, 6-2 ACC
Head coach Jay Vidovich is one of the most decorated coaches in college soccer after his lengthy stop at Wake Forest. The eight-time ACC Coach of the Year reached the NCAA Tournament in 13 of his final 14 seasons, including a national championship. While he has yet to deliver a national title at Pitt, they’ve been knocking at the door. The Panthers have had a pair of College Cup runs in his 10-year tenure, but fell short both times.
When Pitt brought home its first ACC regular season championship last season, expectations were sky high heading into the NCAA Tournament. The No. 2-seed failed to come through, crashing out in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Vermont. That performance overshadowed their regular season where the Panthers went 5-0 against ranked teams.
Following a nervy 1-0 victory over Quinnipiac to start the season, Pitt soared up to No. 3 in the country. Since then, it’s been all downhill. The Panthers lost three of their next five — barely beating Michigan State and slaughtering Butler — leading to them falling out of the poll. Pitt reached a new low on Monday with a scoreless draw against Incarnate Word.
Players to watch
Arnau Vilamitjana, graduate student midfielder, No. 14 — While Vilamitjana is listed as a graduate student, 2024 was his first year in college soccer. He didn’t disappoint. The FC Barcelona Academy product produced five goals and three assists, including a pair of tournament game-winners. He already has three goals and three assists this season.
Casper Svendby, senior defender, No. 21 — Svendby was one of the best defenders in the country last season, and he has the accolades to prove it. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year may be undersized in aerial clashes, but he shines in one-on-one battles. Svendby also registered three goals and four assists to add to his All-American first team campaign.
Jackson Gilman, senior defender, No. 2 — A four-year starter at Pitt, Gilman has been a staple in the heart of the team’s backline since arriving on campus. He has totalled 63 starts, including every game his freshman campaign. The 2024 All-ACC third-team honoree has logged the second-most minutes (615) on the team behind the starting goalkeeper.
Strength
Roster depth. The Panthers may be having a disappointing start to the season, but their depth has been noticeable. Sixteen players have made at least one start and 22 players have touched the field. That extensive rotation has allowed players’ legs to remain relatively fresh throughout the game, which will likely benefit Pitt late in the season when game minutes take its toll.
Weakness
Goal prevention. While the Panthers were one of the better defensive teams last year, they’ve struggled in that regard through seven games. Pitt has allowed nine goals and mustered just two shutouts: Quinnipiac and Incarnate Word. Outside of those contests, the Panthers have allowed just under two goals a game, including at least two against Michigan State, Notre Dame and then-No. 3 Clemson.
Three things to watch
1. Fortified defensive backline. Maryland’s defense has been one of the best in the country, allowing just three goals on the season. The Terps have yet to allow a goal from open play, conceding two penalty kicks and a set-piece score against Bucknell. Pitt’s offense has not exactly been overpowering this season, with 1.4 goals per game.
2. Second-half success. The depth of this year’s squad has allowed Maryland to thrive in the final 45 minutes of each game, overcoming some slow starts. Eleven of the Terps’ 16 goals this year have come in the second half, including two against Wisconsin to gain some separation. If Maryland can pair it with some strong starts, it’ll be a tough out.
3. Will the unbeaten run extend to six? While the Terps’ strength of schedule may not have panned out the way it was expecting when it originally picked opponents, being unbeaten through five games is impressive. The last time Maryland hasn’t lost in its first six contests is 2017, when it reached 13 unbeaten games.
