Who’s the perfect school soccer group in California? A query that appears to be repetitive every season.
With simply below one month away, there won’t be a greater time than now to resolve which college reigns supreme heading into the 2026 season.
Jul 28, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; USC Soccer head coach Lincoln Riley speaks throughout Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Necessary Credit score: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Pictures
Are they from the ACC or the Large 10?
Possibly to some followers, it won’t even be any of the groups listed, however for the sake of time, we’ve determined to rank solely the Energy 4 conferences: the ACC, Large Ten, SEC, and Large 12.
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4. UCLA Bruins (BIG 10)
2025 File: 3-9
Coming into the 2026 marketing campaign, the Bruins look to show the web page on final 12 months’s three-win season, bringing in new management as former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney takes the reins at UCLA.
Prone to deploy Nico Iamaleava because the starter as soon as once more, UCLA noticed vital roster turnover in a number of different place teams, bringing in 40+ transfers this offseason.
UCLA additionally has a sleek schedule for 2026, with the Bruins enjoying 9 video games on the West Coast, eight of them in-state.
3. Stanford Cardinals (ACC)
2025 File: 4-8
It’s an alumni get together in Stanford as Tavita Pritchard might be within the head teaching position for his alma mater.
Alongside group basic supervisor Andrew Luck, the 2 former Cardinals will look to revive their college’s glory and out of the underside of their convention
Bringing on a brand new arm for Stanford, Davis Warren transferred from Michigan blue to Cardinal pink after lacking your complete 2025 season as a consequence of a torn ACL.
Now recovered, Warren hopes to search out the identical spark he displayed in 2024, and with work alongside Coach Pritchard and Andrew Luck, maybe he might be the driving drive that shifts the tide in Stanford.
2. California Golden Bears (ACC)
2025 File: 7-6
Outdoors of our No. 1 group for this record, there won’t be a group on the West Coast with extra hype to have a breakout season than the California Golden Bears.
Ending in the midst of the ACC final 12 months, Cal confirmed the faculty soccer world that it was not going to take a seat and watch however was again to being aggressive.
With Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele getting into his second 12 months below heart, plus Cal alum Tosh Lupoi taking up the pinnacle teaching duties, the Golden Bears could also be on the cusp of being one of many high groups within the ACC for 2026.
1. USC Trojans (BIG 10)
2025 File: 9-4
Can this be the season Lincoln Riley lastly delivers within the school soccer playoffs?
The Trojans are definitely constructed for it behind potential first-rounder Jayden Maiava, who led USC to a nine-win season final 12 months.
Dropping a number of key stars to the NFL Draft might doubtlessly influence USC. Nevertheless, with 10 transfers becoming a member of the group and anticipated to make an influence, corresponding to vast receiver Terrell Anderson and defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren, the Trojans’ roster remains to be very a lot prepared to interrupt the glass ceiling as a contender.
