For the first time in almost two years, Maryland men’s soccer will enter a game as a top-10 ranked soccer team in the nation.
The Terps will make the nearly 2,800-mile trip to Seattle to take on Washington Friday for their first battle with a new member of the conference.
The game will air on Big Ten Plus and kick-off at 10 p.m.
Washington Huskies (4-3-5, 1-2-3 Big Ten)
In their first taste of Big Ten soccer, the Huskies have fared mediocrely at best.
They entered conference play after a largely successful nonconference schedule, where they earned wins over then-No. 4 Oregon State and Seattle, and fought to a draw against current No. 3 Denver.
Big Ten soccer has proved difficult for them, though, as they have just a single victory in their first six opportunities. The Huskies are running into Maryland off the back of a 2-0 defeat to No. 2 Ohio State.
They are led by veteran head coach Jamie Clark in his 14th season.
Players to Watch
Chris Meyers, senior defender, No. 7 — Meyers, who has shown versatility as both a midfielder and defender, has slotted into the wingback position for Washington as of late. His midfield skills have made him a dangerous facilitator, totaling five assists on the season. Meyers won multiple Pac-12 conference honors in his first three years in Seattle.
Jadon Bowton, senior goalkeeper, No. 1 — Bowton has been extremely solid between the goalposts for the Huskies in 2024. He has made 30 saves and is allowing just over a single goal per game. This is his first year as a regular starter.
Charlie Kosakoff, sophomore forward, No. 9 — Kosakoff is Washington’s biggest threat up top. He has three goals and four assists this season and recorded one of each in a 2-2 draw against Indiana.
Strength
Resiliency. The Huskies have been a team that you can’t count out of any game in 2024. They have trailed at times in three of their five draws, including a 2-2 tie with Indiana where they went down twice before responding with a goal each time. Even if the Terps jump out to an early lead, they won’t be able to rest at any point on Friday night.
Weakness
Offense. The Huskies rank third to last in the Big Ten in total goals. They have scored just 14 times in their opening 12 games. In conference play, they have scored just five times in six games and been shutout three times.
Three things to watch
1. How will the Terps travel? As everyone adjusts to the new-look landscape of the Big Ten, teams are beginning to get their first taste of the extreme travel they will have to endure for conference games. This is Maryland’s first time playing one of the conference’s new members and dealing with some potential jet lag.
2. Conference standings implications. Maryland and Ohio State look poised for a two-horse race for the 2024 Big Ten regular season title. Both programs will be out on the West Coast on Friday night, with the Buckeyes taking on UCLA in a game that will take place at the same time as Maryland’s.
3. Maryland’s defense. The Terps’ defensive consistency has been a pillar of their success. They have allowed 11 goals all season and just three in their first five games of conference play. The only weakness has been set pieces, from which they have conceded goals in three straight games. If the Terps can avoid a set-piece goal, Washington will have a tall task in finding the back of the net.
