The UCLA men鈥檚 soccer team begins its 2026 season against #11 Virginia on Thursday at 4 pm PT. Historically, UCLA leads the all-time series 7-3-1, having last faced Virginia in the 2014 NCAA Championship, which Virginia won. After a successful 2025 season, in which they went 8-6-5 and won the Big Ten Tournament, the Bruins aim to build on their progress with the addition of 16 newcomers. Key players include Jaime Amaro and Tre Wright, recognized as top prospects in the nation. This season marks UCLA's third in the Big Ten Conference.

By the Numbers
  • UCLA finished 2025 with an overall record of 8-6-5 and won the Big Ten Tournament.
  • The Bruins are 43-10-6 in season openers throughout their history.
State of Play
  • UCLA is currently ranked fourth in the Big Ten preseason coaches poll.
  • Amaro made the Mac Hermann Midfielders to Watch list after scoring 10 goals and 7 assists last season.
What's Next

Looking forward, UCLA aims to secure a winning start against Virginia, leveraging their historical advantage as they navigate the competitive Big Ten season. They are scheduled to play their first conference match against Rutgers on September 11.

Bottom Line

UCLA鈥檚 combination of seasoned players and new talent, along with a strong recent performance, positions them favorably as they kick off the season, setting the stage for an exciting 2026 campaign.