By Ethan Ndachi (@EthanNdachi) – Content Editor | SJSU men’s soccer before its game vs Dominican University of California on Aug. 16 (Photo by Niles Hall (@n23hall)– Content Editor)
After San Jose State men’s soccer’s defeat to Grand Canyon University in the Western Athletic Conference championship final in November 2025, there were many questions about how the team would come back after what was widely believed to be one of the school’s best squads in recent history.
The team’s core has been uprooted since that gloomy afternoon in Riverside, with transfers, graduations and MLS drafts, leaving much speculation about what the actual expectations should be for this season.
Head coach Simon Tobin was supposed to call it quits at the end of the 2025 campaign but will resume duties alongside associate head coach Jesus Sanchez for the time being, looking to oversee another talented group of young Spartans.
“The individuals are different, which is the most important aspect of the team,” Sanchez said. “The roles that some of the guys that have been here will be different. But now it’s this group’s time to shine, time to stand out, time to achieve what their team objectives are.”
Returners to watch
One of the biggest questions of the season is who will step up and make an impact. It is up to the experienced Spartans to maintain or improve their levels from last season, and for the young players to fill the gaps left behind.
Senior midfielder Angel Fernandez, who played in midfield in 2025 alongside Angel Iniguez and Gilberto Riveria, will be one to watch this year. Having been promoted to team captain, the Hayward native always received praise from Tobin, who believes he will have a great final season.
“It’s a bigger role and greater responsibility,” Fernandez said. “I just have to bring the team along with me, a lot of new guys I got to buy in and making it feel at home for them and welcoming.”
Sophomore Fernando Duarte earned 14 appearances for the Spartans in 2025 and has long been earmarked to take over in defensive midfield. Duarte was named to the 2025 All-WAC Freshman Team and will be one to watch closely in the fall.
Junior Neo Ruiz will most likely be the player to fill the gap left behind at attacking midfield. Having taken his No. 10 jersey this season, Ruiz was trusted to start 8 of 17 games last season, playing out wide and up top in addition.
Juniors Jalen Scott and Jordi Tortell Daly could be forwards to watch this season from a returner’s perspective. They present the most classic winger profile in the squad, giving SJSU a different look against teams that are hard to break down.
How can SJSU replace Arnold Matshazi?
Spartan sophomore striker Arnold Matshazi transferred to the University of Virginia at the start of the year, having ended last season with 12 goals and 1 assist. SJSU will need to replicate the Englishman’s form if they want to maintain last season’s level.
Sophomore Amir Anwary only featured six times last season, all off the bench for SJSU, earning 1 goal and 1 assist for his efforts. Anwary could grow into the center forward they need if given a larger role for the Spartans this season.
Sophomore Ryan Corcoran, on the other hand, was transferred in from De Anza College ahead of the new season and impressed at the JUCO level and at the Spartans’ preseason.
His 6-foot-6 frame paired with his instincts and movement should excite Spartan fans this season and provide a new look up top for SJSU men’s soccer.
Returning Spartans senior forward Jason Buezo and junior Angel Gutierrez are also options at striker. Buezo will look to battle his way back into the SJSU men’s soccer starting 11, having only played two games last season, while Gutierrez is looking to make his first formal appearance for SJSU this season.
Changes at the back
With the departures of senior centerbacks Javier Lopez and Niklas Dossmann, there are big shoes to fill in defense. The natural replacements seem to be juniors Diego Nieves and Tiko Moodie.
Nieves is the more experienced option, with two seasons under his belt with the Spartans, but both were trusted to start several games last season.
Sophomore Emmanuel Garcia will also look to earn his name on the teamsheet this season. Being another player with lots of praise from Tobin, he can slot in at both center back and right back.
Although originally signed as a forward, redshirt freshman Miliano Suarez played as a defender in SJSU’s exhibition match versus Dominican University of California and could be another potential piece of the defense.
Sanchez also recruited multiple young defenders like freshmen Isac Enriquez and Lawson Mettee and sophomore Noah Moles Licata, who will all look to fight for any game time they can get.
Expectations
SJSU should look to maintain top-two status in conference play at minimum. While the squad might be lighter compared to last season, the competition has also diminished slightly compared to the WAC.
The nonconference schedule looks like a good test to get a glimpse at how the Spartans might fare in the Mountain West, with a key matchup against Stanford on Sept. 4. If the squad can show cohesion and sharpness before conference starts, doubts will fade.
SJSU’s opponents to watch in the Mountain West are Utah Tech away on Oct. 14th and home on Nov. 1, and the defending WAC champions, Grand Canyon University.
The Spartans will certainly want to seek redemption from the championship final in November. They travel to Arizona on Oct. 4 and host the Antelopes on Oct. 28.
The word around the group is that Spartan Soccer Complex is to be seen as a fortress this season, with the team wanting to never lose at their home ground.
Overall, this season SJSU needs to show they can maintain their level of play even with new faces, and take advantage of a good setting and conference.
SJSU starts its season against UC Santa Barbara 7 p.m. on Friday at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara, California.
