Built To Compete: 2025 Men's Soccer Preview

The Maryland men’s soccer team is getting ready to start the season, and there’s one common theme that head coach Sasho Cirovski and players alike can agree on: depth.

The 2025 Terrapins might be one of the most well-rounded squads Cirovski’s coached in his long tenure at the helm of Maryland soccer. Through two exhibitions, it’s already becoming clear. 

“I’ve learned that we have more depth than we’ve had in the past,” head coach Sasho Cirovski said. “We have more competition at every position on the field than we’ve had over the past few years. That was one of our big goals coming into this year: we wanted to create more internal competition, but also have the ability to rotate players and not have our starting guys grind themselves out as we get late in the year.”

From a talented group of returning players to fresh new faces in the lineup, the Terps are ready to bring a success-filled season to Ludwig Field. 

Both the second and third-highest scorers from last season’s squad that went 9-6-5 and made the NCAA Tournament are returning in junior Leon Koehl (16 points in 2024 on seven goals) and senior Colin Griffith (13 points on six goals). 

“One of the focal points and strengths of its team is its player-led base,” senior Albi Ndrenika said. “We’ve got a very good leadership group. We’ve got a very good core of older guys that have been around a little while and know how it works.”

An experienced group of returnees has built the foundation for success, but they recognize the new talent around them. 

“There’s a big excitement,” Ndrenika said of his role. “But anyone can be a leader. It doesn’t have to be only me or some of the older guys. It can be some of the younger guys who have come in and take initiative. We’ve had transfers that come in and really set the tone as well.”

It’s a combination of leadership, ideas, and skills that Cirovski is excited to see gelling as the dawn of the season approaches. 

“We have a very good leadership group,” Cirovski said. “But we have players outside the leadership group that I think have taken ownership and have the skillset to influence in a positive way and are willing to do that.”

There are new faces left and right, both in the form of transfers and freshmen. But even the newcomers can see the excellence of the program they’re joining. 

“We’ve got probably some of the best talent in the country,” freshman Luke Burdett said. “And also some of the best depth. So if we can put all the pieces together, we can easily win a national championship.”

Throughout camp and the preseason, the Terps have grinded to get ready for a bounce-back season. Now, not many would consider the year after an NCAA Tournament appearance to require a bounce-back; Cirovski has a high bar for his program. 

“I feel this group is ready to uphold those standards and do whatever it takes to leave a legacy here, as many teams in the past have,” Sasho Cirovski said. 

The team isn’t just playing like one in practice; it’s felt like one throughout camp. 

“Our team chemistry is great right now,” Burdett said. “We’ve had really good team bonding activities. I’d say it’s been pretty good so far.”

Burdett is one of the many weapons that Cirovski will both benefit from and have to figure out a way to include in his 2025 scheme. 

“It’s a good problem to have as coaches, but it’s also a challenge to keep everyone happy,” Cirovski said. “It takes pressure off the players and keeps them from feeling like they have to play 90 minutes per game.”

Even though there’s more competition at positions that Cirovski’s used to seeing, it’s not causing a divide between his players. If anything, it’s making them more of a unit ready to compete at the highest level. 

“It’s fun to see everyone kind of step into their own role,” Ndrenika said. “We really feed off each other.”

The key to that bond? Honesty. 

“Holding each other accountable,” Ndrenika said. “I think coach does a great job of that, but pushing the guy next to you to go a little bit harder and push each other. I think the accountability that we have on the field can push us far.”

The first tests take place over the next week with the Terps taking to the road for two tough tasks against Wake Forest (Aug. 21) and Georgetown (Aug. 25). 

“I’m excited to take this team on the road to a kind of hostile environment,” Sasho Cirovski said. “I think we’re going to get better in those games, win, lose or draw. It’s a very good measuring stick so we can figure out very quickly what areas we have to sharpen up.”

After that, it’s home sweet home for a season that will see 10 of its 17 total matches played out in College Park.

“I think it’s critically important that we pack Ludwig,” Cirovski said. “I know the students love coming out for all of our games, but the Friday night light games are going to be particularly sensational.”

Five Friday night games will take place at Ludwig over the course of the season, each as important as the last or the next. Maryland was picked second in the 2025 Big Ten Preseason Media Poll and will have a target on its back all season. 

But this team is ready, each and every piece of the talented roster Cirovski is excited to debut.