DENVER – The [RV/RV] University of Denver men's soccer team will continue its three-match road swing to start the 2021 campaign when the Pioneers travel to Portland. Kickoff on Monday night is set for 8 p.m. MT.
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Join Denver FC Today:
For the 2021 season, the University of Denver announced the creation of a new DU soccer fan club called "Denver FC". Fans that purchase the Denver FC package will get season tickets to all Denver men's and women's soccer home games, a Denver FC scarf and a season parking pass for all Denver Soccer home events. PURCHASE DENVER FC PACKAGE HERE
Jack and Sheila Weinberg Head Men's Soccer Coach Jamie Franks:
Jamie Franks is in his seventh season as the bench boss for the Pioneers and his 10th on the Denver campus overall. The head coach of the 2016 National Coaching Staff of the Year has put together a 73-27-13 record and has led Denver to all but two of the league trophies available (2019 regular season and 2017 postseason) since Denver joined the Summit League in 2013.
Series History: Denver vs. Portland:
Denver is 4-1-2 all-time against Portland and are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two programs (3-0-2). All seven matches have been decided by a goal or less, including the extra time win for the Pioneers at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium in the teams' last meeting in 2016. Denver and Portland met four seasons in a row between 2013 and 2016, but have not encountered each other since.
Last Time Out:
Denver conceded three goals on the opening night in a loss at No. 16 Oregon State at Lorenz Field Friday night. FULL RECAP
Summit League Preseason Poll:
Denver was picked second in the 2021 Summit League Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, the first time the Pioneers haven't been voted the preseason favorite since joining the league in 2013. Outside of a fourth place finish in 2019, Denver has won at least a share of the Summit League regular season title in the other seven seasons. In addition to the coaches' poll, Stefan DeLeone and Liam Johnson were named to the Summit League Men's Soccer Players to Watch List.
Look Back at Denver's Preseason:
In Denver's 1-1 draw with Air Force, Griffin Meyer scored from the penalty spot to level the match in the 42nd minute. Denver controlled the play in the second half, but couldn't find the go-ahead goal an settled for a 1-1 draw.
Several days later, Ronan Wynne capped off a corner kick service with a header from 12-yards out to open the scoring in the 34th minute against Colorado Mines. DeLeone added two goals in the second half in the 75th (penalty) and the 77th to lead Denver to a 3-2 victory.
Last Saturday, Denver overcame a slow opening 10 minutes against Colorado Mesa but controlled the last 35 minutes to take a 2-0 lead into the locker room. Freshman Oje Ofunrein scored his first goal of the preseason off a cross from the right flank to double Denver's lead in the 38th. DeLeone capped a five-goal preseason with a hat trick for the Pioneers, scoring twice in a 7:21 span late in the second half. Kengo Ohira also got his first goal of the preseason in the win.
Notes:
- Two-time captain Liam Johnson was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List earlier this week.
- Denver's freshman class was ranked the seventh-best recruiting class in the country according to Top Drawer Soccer.
Up Next:
Denver will cap off a three-game road swing a week from Monday when the Pioneers head to Dallas to take on SMU. The Labor Day kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT.
Tickets:
Season tickets and single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online by clicking here.
Coronavirus Updates
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