News Summary
The USD men’s soccer team is set to kick off their season against SDSU at Snapdragon Stadium. After a strong previous season, the Toreros are prepared for a competitive start with a challenging schedule. With significant rivalry implications, both teams are eager to gain an edge early in the season. Tickets are affordable, drawing eager fans to witness this anticipated matchup.
San Diego, CA – The USD men’s soccer team is set to kick off their season with an intense rivalry match against San Diego State University (SDSU) on September 1, 2025, at Snapdragon Stadium. Coming off a successful 15-3-2 season in which they reached the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated in a penalty shootout against eventual champions Vermont, the Toreros are determined to make a statement this year. As they begin the season, they are ranked No. 10 nationally in the preseason poll for 2025.
The Toreros, led by coach Brian Quinn, have arranged one of the toughest early schedules in the nation. Their first four games are away, and the first three are against ranked opponents: No. 15 Duke, No. 20 Furman, and No. 21 Denver. Currently, USD holds a record of 1-1-1 after experiencing a tough start. They lost 2-1 to Duke, managed a hard-fought 0-0 tie against Furman while playing with nine men for the final 15 minutes, and suffered a rollercoaster 3-2 win at Denver after coming from behind twice.
This weekend’s match against SDSU is particularly significant for both teams. The Aztecs are looking to exact revenge after their 3-0 defeat to the Toreros last season, a loss that played a crucial role in SDSU’s failure to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Currently, SDSU has recorded a 2-1 season start, with a loss at No. 17 Virginia followed by wins against Howard and NAIA Life Pacific.
While the Toreros have a solid roster returning most of their key players, they face some challenges this season. Notably, star forwards Samy Kanaan and Cesar Bahena, who combined for 17 goals last season, have yet to find the back of the net this season. The team’s structure is also affected by the notable departures of goalkeeper Donovan Parisian, drafted by the New England Revolution, and central midfielder Jack Sandmeyer, who transferred to North Carolina. In addition, midfielder Vicente Ayala is recovering from a preseason knee injury, but Noah James has stepped up significantly in his absence.
In goal, USD has a new addition with Adam Salama, a transfer from Rider University in Israel, taking over the position. First team all-conference defender Ethan Warne returns after being granted an extra year of eligibility, providing valuable experience and leadership on the field.
On the other hand, SDSU boasts a strong roster featuring five returning starters, including WAC preseason defender of the year Cianole Nguepissi. The match between USD and SDSU is expected to draw significant attendance, building on last year’s record-setting game against UC Davis, which attracted 3,802 fans.
Leading up to the match, Coach Quinn expressed the potential for increasing the frequency of matches against SDSU, suggesting that having two contests each season could enhance the rivalry. He proposed an aggregate scoring and penalty shootout format for an annual championship between the two teams, which could further engage both fan bases.
Tickets for the highly anticipated USD vs. SDSU game start at just $10, making it accessible for soccer fans keen to witness what promises to be an exciting start to the 2025 season.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
USD Men’s Soccer Defeats SDSU in Close Match
USD Men’s Soccer Unveils Full Schedule for Upcoming Season
Additional Resources
- USD Toreros: Bahena and Ramirez Shine
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Tough Schedule for USD Men’s Soccer
- USD Toreros: Duus-Mueller Named Player of the Week
- Wikipedia: Men’s Soccer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Soccer
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
