UCF Knights men's soccer

The Knights soccer program began in 1975 under Jim Rudy. The Knights went 10–4–1 that year, defeating St. Leo in their first match 8–0.[5] In 1984, the team made the move to Division I. The Knights were nationally ranked for the first time during the 2010 season, and rose to a program high of No. 8 during the 2011 season.[5][6][7]

After UCF announced its move to the Big 12, it was forced to find a new home for men's soccer because the Big 12 only sponsors soccer for women. School officials expected to join the SBC, which reinstated men's soccer for the 2022 season with a lineup that significantly included the only then-current Big 12 member with a men's soccer program (West Virginia) and both Southeastern Conference schools that sponsor varsity men's soccer (Kentucky and South Carolina).[8] This was confirmed on June 21, 2022, when the SBC officially announced UCF's 2023 arrival as a men's soccer member.

The Knights have an all-time record of 422–330–76.[9]

The Knights play their home games at the UCF Soccer and Track Stadium which is a part of Knights Plaza, located on the north end of UCF's main campus in Orlando, Florida. The soccer field is made of natural grass and measures 347 feet (106 m) x 200 feet (61 m).[10]

In 2011, the stadium was heavily renovated, boasting a 2,000 seat capacity with a new 1,475-seat stand, press box, 7,500 square feet (700 m²) clubhouse, restrooms and new entrance on the west side of the facility. The original 500-seat stand was retained as a visitors' stand.[11]

As of August, 2023 [12]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  USA Luciano Natoli 2 D  USA Zane Bubb 3 DF  FRA Raphael Crivello 4 MF  GER Jonas Fritschi 5 MF  SEN Ousmane Ba 6 DF  BRA Anderson Rosa 7 FW  SEN Mouhamed Pouye 8 MF  USA Beto Ydrach 9 FW  BRA Lucca Dourado 10 FW  FRA Clarence Awoudor 11 FW  SEN Malang Mandiang 12 MF  USA Robbie Soronellas 13 DF  ISR Ron Ben Dakon

No. Pos. Nation Player 14 FW  POR Fabio Guerreiro 15 MF  FIN Saku Heiskanen 16 DF  CRC Timothy Arias 17 MF  NZL Oscar Hough 18 MF  FRA Yanis Belatrache 20 DF  CRC Brandon Calderon 21 FW  GHA Emmanuel Bam 22 MF  USA Drew Hansen 23 DF  GER Arne Michaelis 24 MF  USA AJ Seals 26 GK  USA Shane Wright 27 GK  COL Pablo Ossabal 28 FW  USA Junior Trucillo 29 FW  USA Joey Mueller 30 MF  ISR Itai Levisman 31 GK  ESP Juanvi Muñoz

UCF has produced a number of notable soccer stars. Most notably, Eric Vasquez, Sean Johnson and Ryan McIntosh.[13] Vasquez, who made his professional soccer debut with the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, later played for Miami FC in the United Soccer Leagues' First Division and the Orlando Sharks of the Major Indoor Soccer League before retiring due to injury.[14] Former Knights Goalkeeper Ryan McIntosh initially played with D.C. United, and after a year with the D.C. United Reserve team, McIntosh signed with the Atlanta Silverbacks of USL Division One, where he led the team to the league final.[15][16][17] Both players were a part of the 2004 Central Florida Kraze amateur soccer team that won the Premier Development League's championship by defeating the Boulder Rapids Reserves, 1–0 at the UCF soccer stadium.[18] In 2019, two of players got selected in the MLS SuperDraft that took place in Chicago.Striker Cal Jennings was picked number 15th in the first round by the FC Dallas and Defender Jonathan Dean got selected 32nd in the second round of the draft by Orlando City Soccer Club.

Sean Johnson, another former UCF goalkeeper, joined the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer in 2010.[19] He was a member of the United States U-20 men's national soccer team which qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.[13]

• UCF Knights women's soccer
• List of University of Central Florida alumni

• Official website