KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Bryant men's soccer team will open the 2026 season ranked No. 10 nationally according to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I preseason poll announced on Tuesday.
Bryant went 17-2-3 in 2025 and reached the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, finishing No. 10 nationally in the final poll of the year. This marks the first time in DI program history that the Black and Gold have been ranked in the preseason poll.
The Bulldogs return 12 players from last year's squad, led by America East Midfielder of the Year
Paco Fernandez. Bryant will also return
Fermin Rodriguez (4g, 5a),
Jorge Rodriguez (3g, 1a),
Fernando Delgado (2g, 1a),
Jorge Veintimilla (3a) and Christian Merritt (19 starts).
Through the last three seasons, head coach
Ruben Resendes has led the program to a record of 43-10-9. The Black and Gold are tied with Vermont for the second-most wins in the country over the last three seasons with both teams trailing Marshall's 45 wins. Bryant has made an appearance in three consecutive America East Championship games, winning the 2023 championship, and has appeared in two NCAA Tournaments.
