University of Denver
Portland
Denver Heads to [RV/-] Portland Saturday Night for Top of the Table Clash
10/15/2026 9:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The 2-0-1 Pioneers head to 3-0-0 Portland to start a stretch of three matches in eight days
DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer program will open a two-match road swing on Saturday night when the Pioneers take on [RV/-] Portland at Merlo Field. The trip to Portland is Denver's third in the last two seasons.
Portland has a perfect 3-0-0 record in WCC play, while the Pioneers enter Saturday night at 2-0-1, two points off the league leaders. Â
LAST TIME OUT:
Erik Collins opened the scoring from the spot and then later assisted Tyler Schommer's game-winner in Denver's 2-1 home win over San Francisco last Saturday at the University of Denver Soccer Stadium. FULL RECAPÂ
SERIES HISTORY:
Denver is 5-3-5 against Portland in the Pioneers modern DI era (since 1998). The Pioneers are 3-2-2 at Portland, including a 2-2 draw (Portland advanced on penalties) in the second round of last year's NCAA Tournament. Denver's last win at Portland was a 1-0 victory in August of 2021. Portland is unbeaten against Denver in the last five meetings (2-0-3). HISTORY
TOP-10 SINCE 2015
- Denver is 139-52-38 since the start of the 2015 season.
- That record is good for eighth in the country in wins during that span, behind Wake Forest (167), Indiana (164), Clemson (159), Georgetown (157), Stanford (148), Washington (143) and Vermont (142).
- Of the 23 teams that had at least 110 wins in that span entering the year, Denver has the eighth-fewest losses at 52.
- Four of Denver's opponents are among the 23 that began the year with 100 wins since the start of the 2015 season.
SCHOMMER'S SPARK
- Senior forward Tyler Schommer scored the game-winner in Denver's 2-1 win over San Francisco on October 10.
- Schommer enters Saturday with 58 appearances and six starts for Jamie Franks' side.
- This season, Schommer has made most of his appearances at the start of the second half of matches.
- Schommer has four career goals.
VERSATILE ERIK COLLINS
- Sophomore midfielder Erik Collins has made 24 career appearances and nine starts, including eight selections into the XI this season.
- Collins has started on all three lines this year, making starts at outside back, in a wide midfield position and on Denver's attacking line.
- On October 10 in Denver's 2-1 win over San Francisco, Collins had a goal from the penalty spot and an assist.
- Collins has five goal contributions, tying for the team lead with Bryce Willoughby this season.
RECORD BOOK WATCH
- Career Points: Fifth-year forward Bryce Willoughby is now in 10th in Denver's Division I history in career points with 45
- Career Goals: Bryce Willoughby became the 10th player in the program's DI history to reach 15 career goals when he scored the opener at Stanford on August 23. Willoughby's 17th career goal on October 10 moved him to eighth in Denver's DI era.
- Career Game-Winners: Bryce Willoughby has eight career game-winning goals, tied for the third most in the program's DI era.
DENVER AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
- Denver is 28-51-18 in its Division I history against the USC Top-25, going 14-14-3 at home, 13-31-12 on the road and 1-6-4 neutral.
- Under Jamie Franks, Denver is 19-25-11 against ranked opponents, including 10-6-2 at home, 9-17-7 on the road and 0-2-2 at a neutral site.
- The Pioneers are 12-8-4 against teams receiving votes, including 7-5-2 at home, 4-3-2 on the road and 1-0-0 at a neutral site.
- Denver is 4-13-0 against teams ranked in the top-5 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, including 2-8 in true road games.
- The Pioneers only road win against a top-5 team prior to last season's 1-0 win at No. 5 Stanford came on December 2, 2016 when the fourth-ranked Pioneers beat No. 3 Clemson 1-0 in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
- Denver's last win against a top-5 team prior to last season came in a 3-2 win against No. 3 Washington on August 30, 2018 at DU.
- Denver's first win over a ranked opponent in 2025 came at No. 14 Georgetown on October 7 (GT 1-2 DEN).
- Denver's first result against a ranked opponent this season came at No. 19 San Diego, a 0-0 draw against the four-time WCC defending champions.Â
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
- Despite just the three wins to its name in 2026, Denver is 68th in the RPI through matches played October 12, and the program's strength of schedule ranks eighth in the country.
- Denver's non-conference strength of schedule ranked third in the country through Denver's non-conference finale on September 22.
- Six of Denver's first nine games were quad one games, including five matches against top-30 teams in the country.
UP NEXT:
Denver will cap off a two-game road swing on Wednesday when the Pioneers travel to Saint Mary's. Opening kickoff in Moraga is set for 4 p.m. MT, and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.Â
TICKETS:
Tickets for the final two Denver home matches are on sale now and can be purchased here.Â
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