2025 MCAC men's soccer preview
Yahia Chihab is moving from assistant coach to head coach with plans of keeping the Université de Saint-Boniface Les Rouges atop the MCAC men's soccer table.
Les Rouges open the regular season on the road against the Providence University College Pilots on Saturday as the defending champions, who went the entire 2024-25 season without a loss in Manitoba.
Chihab said his goal is simple.
"Win again and go to nationals," he said. "Being the current champions, we believe teams are going to be extra motivated to win against us and make a statement."
USB has a strong midfield back as captain Randy Gborie and all-Canadian Reginald Jean-Paul will line up alongside Saidi Madaraka again.
Behind them, Emmanuel Kwilu-Kama and Yatma Dio will secure the defensive line with Hamed Njoya returning at striker.
Goalkeeper Bireme Gadiaga joins the team as a key rookie in the lineup.
"Really looking forward to getting the season started and seeing some familiar and new faces on the field. The competition is going to be great, and this feels like it's going to be one of the best MCAC soccer seasons in recent years," Chihab said.
"As someone who played in this league before, I haven't seen so many talents join the league all at the same time. Some quality signings so I look forward to fierce competition this year."
BRANDON UNIVERSITY BOBCATS
Les Rouges beat the Bobcats in a hard-fought final last year. Under new coach Diego Rodriguez Jr., a former MCAC player of the year and final four MVP, BU will push for a fourth league championship.
"I think the season will be great, first day of preseason/camp has demonstrated an improved version of the team when compared to last year," said captain Bryson Haywood.
"The group looks committed and taking care of all the details, like showing up 30 minutes early to every session. I am excited for this season and believe that if we continue to put in the work, the team will be a strong contender to achieve the title and perform a good role at nationals."
The Bobcats move on without senior midfielder Zach Wood but added plenty of speed in locals Kevin Garcia and Declan Hoad, brother of last year's women's soccer scoring leader Jorja.
Perhaps the biggest addition is the return of multi-time MCAC player of the year Camilo Rodriguez, who missed the 2024 season.
PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE PILOTS
The Pilots are anticipating one of the most competitive seasons in league history. They prepared for it with a four-game pre-season in Alberta against some strong CCAA and U Sports programs.
"Looking forward to the start of this season. I'm expecting this season to be a very exciting one," said coach Giovanni Benitez Friesen. "Happy with the tough preseason and with the growth of the team game to game.
"This should be a very competitive league this year. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a lot of shuffling in the standings week to week."
Of course, the biggest loss is player of the year Joel Umeh, but PUC hopes to lean on a solid defensive structure including goalkeeper Santiago Vasquez and captain Karan Bhangu on the back line.
"Last year taught us a lot. This season, we come back tougher, more focused and ready," Bhangu said. "With new faces and players returning, every player is ready to give their all, for each other, and for the team."
CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY BLAZERS
The talk around the league is that this new-look Blazers team could make a big jump from a fourth-place finish last year.
"We've got a special group of players this year – young, talented, and motivated. My focus is on building discipline, teamwork, and resilience. If we trust the process, I believe we can surprise a lot of people this season," said coach Gode Katembo.
CMU has key players back at every level of the pitch, from Ismail Karium on defence to Tristen Holfeld in the midfield and Romaine Frances on the wing.
Newcomer Jean Paul Murhabazi has been named a captain of the team to lead the strong rookie group.
"Our team is hungry this season. We've added some strong players, but more importantly, we're building a culture of accountability and belief. We want to prove that CMU belongs at the top again," he said.
ASSINIBOINE COLLEGE COUGARS
While the Cougars missed last year's soccer playoffs, they reached the futsal final and pushed Les Rouges into extra time.
Coach Chris McLachlan has some big shoes to fill as key performers including Theo Manias, Paul Pinto, Danylo Denysevych and Gerardo Alas are gone.
He is confident that a returning core of Andres Rubio, Benny Torres and Nelson Flores will step up, along with a strong incoming group led by goalkeeper Dylan Cruz and former MCAC all-conference midfielder Jafet Sandoval.
"Jafet returns after being named to the MCAC all-conference team in 2021. He is a complete player who will help to organize the team on the pitch with his leadership skills," McLachlan said. "Jafet is always dangerous with the ball at his feet and defends tenaciously."