Very interesting article from May, 2026. Worth the read, talking about how irrelevant D1 soccer has become and uses stats. https://www.samford.edu/sports-analytics/fans/2026/The-2026-USMNT-Is-the-Best-American-Soccer-Team-in-History-It-Still-Isnt-Good-Enough

May have missed this on the boards, but looks like the 2 semesters is not a done deal - As of June 24 - DI Cabinet remands two-semester men's soccer proposal to oversight committee for further review https://www.ncaa.org/di-cabinet-remands-two-semester-mens-soccer-proposal-to-oversight-committee-for-further-review/

The Division I Cabinet on Wednesday remanded a proposal from the Division I Men's Soccer Oversight Committee that would have shifted men's soccer to a two-semester playing season, with the Division I Men's College Cup occurring during the spring semester.

The Cabinet noted the Men's Soccer Oversight Committee's efforts to modernize the calendar to grow the sport and noted men's soccer student-athletes broadly support the change.

However, the Cabinet also noted that the proposed change to the playing season was opposed by 20 Division I conferences that raised concerns about the duration of the season and the lack of clarity about related rules and the impact on championship selections, including eligibility for midseason enrollees.

The Cabinet asked the committee to revisit the proposal to provide additional clarity. The Cabinet also raised concerns about what the change to a two-semester season would mean for the student-athlete academic experience. The Cabinet also remanded the proposed accompanying change to the men's soccer notification-of-transfer window, which was expected to be adjusted to align with a change to the playing season.

All great stuff SimpleCoach!!  On top of this, many are predicting collapse of non-rev D1 sports in the near future.

Apparently, only 22 D1 sports programs are breaking even and all the other 300 plus are in the red. That is not great going forward esp. with NIL. What programs will be cut? I am pretty sure that airplane league D1 programs will look to shed a lot of sports and it will probably be on the men's side (Title IX pressure espec. since many more women go to college than men which is only going to get worse). Sending teams of 25 (18-20 rostered people plus staff) 4 or 5 times a season adds up.

Until recently there were 215 D1 mens (351 womens) teams and 4 are dropping down so 211. With budget constraints and Title IX continued pressure along with int'l player/shortened rosters will only increase better talent to play D3.

What kid would even think of wanting to not play over his 4 (5) yrs? So maybe D3 will improve??

FYI, if only 22 D1 sports are sustaining themselves, I guessing the remaining 90% of D1 schools will be sheading non-revenue sports, specifically mens sports. https://thecollegeinvestor.com/85967/94-of-college-sports-programs-lose-money-and-students-help-cover-the-gap/

I know, I know, very few like F&M which is all good. Not at the Amhate level, but still something.

My personal prediction is that F&M might get a few more wins, but will most likely end up like last season. Just is what it is.

What is not discussed is that F&M just added its 16th freshman to its roster https://www.instagram.com/p/DbrcR6bNoGl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Really, really, really interesting. IMO, probably Dan Wagner's biggest coaching challenge in long time. With low expectations this year, he appears to be looking to make a difference. We will see from the roster, how many are left from last year's team.

FYI, Dan is doing what many colleges love, enrolling men into the college, esp. in one that has been shrinking. So he's doing his part concerning the administration.

My opinion on Poch is that, while not super, who is the alternative?  US did fine and got as far as they were ever going to go recently, but also the team was never really tested running up to the WC. Solid coach who appears to want to be here which is great. 

Assuming that Poch will be able to have the best players available in the next several years, I believe that the US can be maybe more successful. Not holding much hope though. At least we won't have to worry about soccer mom battles.

Sure!

Quote from: Falconer on July 30, 2026, 02:24:08 PM

Quote from: SierraFD3soccer on July 30, 2026, 10:49:43 AMYes, very sad that Valley Forge is folding. Wes Moore, Maryland gov., went to VFMA in high school.

Not the same schools. UVF was a former Bible college and more recently a Christian college. Wes Moore went to VFMA, a military school that also recently closed, although the separate Valley Forge Military College, a 2-year post-secondary school, remains open.

Ahhhh, thanks. VFMA and Junior College also folded.

Quote from: Kuiper on July 29, 2026, 08:14:34 PMRowan

Not the schedule I've come to expect from Rowan, although they play at Dickinson and host Scranton.  Sort of surprised to see them open with Stockton as a non-conference opponent and also playing them again in non-conference play.

Shades of W&L v. Roanoke twice non-conf and conf. in 2025 and W&L v. Lynchburg in 2021

In other news, big, big storm cloud over FIFA and UEFA breaking up. Guessing UEFA isn't getting a huge cut. https://nypost.com/2026/07/30/business/uefa-to-boycott-world-cup-over-20b-kushner-linked-fifa-deal-sources/

Very troubling since the women's WC is next summer. UEFA is obv. throwing its big weight around.

Quote from: Kuiper on July 29, 2026, 10:50:43 PMUniversity of Valley Forge announces that it is suspending operations

Quote"After much prayer, careful consideration, and consultation, the Board of Trustees of the University of Valley Forge has made the difficult and painful decision to suspend academic operations at the conclusion of the Summer 2026 semester."

Yes, very sad that Valley Forge is folding. Wes Moore, Maryland gov., went to VFMA in high school.

Quote from: BaboNation on July 30, 2026, 08:54:50 AM"7 figure revenues".  Nothing to sneeze at.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/49470625/2026-world-cup-college-teams-embraced-international-teams

Don't overlook Episcopal High (private boarding school but with a lot of day school students in Alexandria) outside of DC which hosted Croatia which really odd that ESPN overlooked. Now that is a real story - https://www.alexandriabrief.com/as-croatia-prepares-to-leave-episcopal-reflects-on-the-month-it-hosted-a-world-cup-team/

So England had 2 shots on goal of which one scored. Not great. Parking the bus was a shaky decision imo and just asking for it. Pickford did his best saving balls that he should have. Would have liked to see England with more possession and looking for the 2nd goal.

Great video explaining some of the issues concerning how the 5 year may push talented kids down.

He also talks about youth tournaments and cost.

https://youtu.be/k2o938oxKTc?is=s0fLojVW_ewRwPmw

Quote from: Kuiper on July 12, 2026, 02:26:18 PMEngland v. Argentina should be a nice friendly semifinal match

From the Hand of God