The San Diego State men's soccer team kicks off its season against Liberty on Thursday at 7 p.m., with free admission and a live stream available on Pac-12's YouTube channel. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams as SDSU returns to the Pac-12 after two years in the WAC. The Aztecs boast a young roster with 20 newcomers and a preseason ranking of third in the Pac-12, following a strong previous season. Head Coach Ryan Hopkins emphasizes the importance of establishing their identity against a transitioning Liberty squad led by a new coach.

By the Numbers
  • SDSU was 10-2-3 and won the WAC regular season championship over the past two years.
  • The Aztecs return just 17.8% of their minutes played from last season, among the lowest in the nation.
  • SDSU has a home record of 27-17-6 since 2021 and has won their last three home openers.
State of Play
  • SDSU is integrating 20 newcomers, including 12 transfers and 8 freshmen.
  • The Aztecs are aiming to establish their identity early in the season against Liberty's new head coach.
  • The team has a winning record in non-conference play in 10 of the last 12 seasons.
What's Next

Following the opener against Liberty, SDSU will seek to build momentum as they face other teams in the Pac-12, aiming to leverage their combination of new talent and experienced leadership to challenge for the conference title.

Bottom Line

The Aztecs' season opener is crucial not just for establishing confidence but also for setting the tone for a new era in the Pac-12, emphasizing the need for cohesion among a largely revamped roster.