2023 Schedule

Just 3 months until the men kick off the soccer season with a very favorable schedule that includes 13 home games.

August 11, 2023 (Friday) 7:00 PM  Seattle U
August 14, 2023 (Monday) TBA  Away Washington
August 18, 2023 (Friday) 7:00 PM Southern Oregon
August 25, 2023 (Friday) 7:00 PM Sacramento State
August 28, 2023 (Monday) 7:00 PM  TBA
September 1, 2023 (Friday) 7:00 PM UC Santa Barbara
September 4, 2023 (Monday) 7:00 PM  Utah Valley
September 9, 2023 (Saturday) TBA  Away West Virginia
September 15, 2023 (Friday) 7:00 PM  Denver
September 21, 2023 (Thursday) 7:00 PM  CSUN
September 24, 2023 (Sunday) 7:00 PM Away Washington
September 30, 2023 (Saturday) 7:00 PM  *Pacific
October 6, 2023 (Friday) 7:00 PM Away *Santa Clara
October 10, 2023 (Tuesday) 2:00 PM Away Cal
October 14, 2023 (Saturday) 7:00 PM  Oregon State
October 21, 2023 (Saturday) 7:00 PM  *San Diego
October 25, 2023 (Wednesday) 7:00 PM *Gonzaga
October 28, 2023 (Saturday) 7:00 PM Away *LMU
November 4, 2023 (Saturday) 1:00 PM Away *Saint Mary's
November 11, 2023 (Saturday) 7:00 PM *USF

We play UW away twice?

Geezaldinho wrote:We play UW away twice?

Yes, I questioned that also, but went with what was posted on the website instead of checking.

I believe the first three games on the schedule are exhibition games.

Nice win last night. 6-0 and it could have been a couple more. I was skeptical about this team after all the crucial players who finished their Pilot careers last year. The first couple of games were ragged: obvious talent on the pitch but not at all in synch.

Last night was different. Players are starting to understand "the system" better and anticipate (1) where teammates will be to receive passes and (2) what to expect from teammates with the ball (dribbles? passes? shots?).

This team has the tools to be really, really good. My only concern is the lack of height, especially at the back. I always felt like Pierre or Arteaga would win every header on corners and crosses. As I look at the current backline, I don't have that confidence (yet?). It will be fun to follow them through the season!

I thought it interesting the former Pilot Ben Ortiz had the only shot on frame for Utah Valley, which was easily dealt with by Miguel-Angel Hernandez.

Geezaldinho wrote:I thought it interesting the former Pilot Ben Ortiz had the only shot on frame for Utah Valley,  which was easily dealt with by Miguel-Angel Hernandez.

I wondered if that was "our" Ben Ortiz. He was very active and energetic, but seemed a little mouthy. I don't remember that from his time here.

He has role models in their coaching staff.

Great come from behind win last night against a ranked Denver team! Wasn't pretty at times, but the Pilots pulled it out and had some amazing goals.
Bonilla is pretty darn good out there sending great balls into the chaos in front of the goalie and Pilots capitalizing on them. Great effort after a tough loss at West Virginia

PNWPilot wrote:Great come from behind win last night against a ranked Denver team! Wasn't pretty at times, but the Pilots pulled it out and had some amazing goals.
Bonilla is pretty darn good out there sending great balls into the chaos in front of the goalie and Pilots capitalizing on them. Great effort after a tough loss at West Virginia

I agree. Good, and deserved, win. 21 shots should win you a match! It's too bad that they don't keep possession stats, because the Pilots would have been ~70% I would guess.

In the first half, they couldn't quite connect, but Nick's HT talk must have been very successful. In the second half, the movement off the ball seemed much better and they threatened every time they came down the pitch.

I have it on pretty good authority that Miguel-Angel Hernandez’ red card expulsion was reduced after the contest to a yellow Card caution.
The infraction, kicking the ball up the sideline, was for delay of game, which by rule Carrys the lesser penalty.

Coach Carlin-Voight didn’t get his yellow card for arguing the call expunged, however,  even though it appears he had a legit beef.

UW Villa Tailgate:
Just got word that Villa Maria Alums will be hosting a tailgate in the UW Parking lot. Per Post on their Alumni Page. They will start roughly around 1:30/2:00 PM
They have invited everyone. Come on out and enjoy some glizzies, buns and whatever toppings you want. It’s time to enjoy some fun ranked college fútbol. Rumor has it someone is bring carne asada too.

From You’re Friendly Neighborhood Mascot,
WallyThePirate

WallyThePirate wrote:UW Villa Tailgate:
Just got word that Villa Maria Alums will be hosting a tailgate in the UW Parking lot. Per Post on their Alumni Page. They will start roughly around 1:30/2:00 PM
They have invited everyone. Come on out and enjoy some glizzies, buns and whatever toppings you want. It’s time to enjoy some fun ranked college fútbol. Rumor has it someone is bring carne asada too.

From You’re Friendly Neighborhood Mascot,
WallyThePirate

The game at #20 UW is this coming Sunday, September 24, at 4:30.

But first, #5 UP takes on CSUN tonight at 7pm at the Clive Charles Complex.

Solid home win last night, but I didn't feel like the Pilots really got out of second gear. Defense was solid against another tall opponent. Bringing on taller Hatcher for Olmos may have helped that, but CSUN rarely had enough of the ball to put a high ball into the box.

Babalai has caught fire this year! Pace and finishing seem a cut above what we've seen before. Buba can do it all when he gets the ball up top. And the "little guys" in the midfield are so quick and talented. They will be a handful for any opponent.

WallyThePirate wrote:UW Villa Tailgate:
Just got word that Villa Maria Alums will be hosting a tailgate in the UW Parking lot. Per Post on their Alumni Page. They will start roughly around 1:30/2:00 PM

I simply thought this post could use a picture...

After beating UOP and losing at SCU, the men won at Cal 5 days ago and beat OSU last night at Merlo. The game was on the CW, and I stumbled across it with 30 minutes to go. They trailed 1-0 at half, but scored 2 goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half, and hung on for the 2-1 victory.

Currently 8-3 overall, with all losses on the road and two against top 20 teams. Only the SCU loss is a bad one.

Since the OSU game, the Pilot have had two home conference games, beating San Diego 5-1 and Gonzaga 5-0. (Insert snark about when will the Bulldogs invest in their program.)

Last night's game was a wash in the RPI, despite the 5-0 drubbing. We were #9 in the RPI going into the game and didn’t move as a result of it.
And the result put us in second place, one point behind the Broncos who despite their overall losing record, still are on top the conference.
So it’s win out, hope the broncos stumble, and keep them from any chance of a tournament slot.

The #13 Pilots kept their home unbeaten streak alive with a 2-0 win over the San Francisco Dons in their regular season finale last night, but now await their fate for the NCAA Tournament after finishing 3rd in the WCC...the automatic bid going to USD.



The selection show will be tomorrow, Monday, at 10 am PST.

https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/soccer-men/d1/live-updates-2023-di-mens-soccer-championship

BTW, last night's win was the 28th straight result without a loss for Portland at home...a program record.

UPDATE:

Those who predict/guess these things, are predicting that UP will get a first round bye and play at home next weekend.

Predicted to make the 48-team tournament from the WCC:

#32 USD (automatic qualifier)
#10 UP
#24 LMU

#64 SMC, #73 USF, and #79 Santa Clara are expected to be on the outside looking in...

DoubleDipper wrote:UPDATE:

Those who predict/guess these things, are predicting that UP will get a first round bye and play at home next weekend.

Predicted to make the 48-team tournament from the WCC:

#32 USD (automatic qualifier)
#10 UP
#24 LMU

#64 SMC, #73 USF, and #79 Santa Clara are expected to be on the outside looking in...

This is exactly correct.

https://portlandpilots.com/news/2023/11/13/mens-soccer-dancing-once-again-pilots-earn-first-round-bye-in-ncaa-tournament.aspx

https://www.ncaa.com/news/soccer-men/article/2023-11-13/2023-ncaa-di-mens-soccer-championship-selections-announced

By my quick calculation, the Pilots played against seven tournament teams, winning five at home (San Diego, Denver, OSU, Seattle (exh), and UC-Irvine, and losing two on the road (#5 West Virginia and LMU).

Every tournament game will be difficult, but our seeding suggests that we would be expected to make it to the final 16, and I could easily see us making the final 8 again, winning at SMU or at home against Denver again if they upset SMU. After that? Hard to know whom we would play and how it might go.

The Beavs beat Seattle 2-1. It took the 120 minutes to do it.

So beaver Nation will be at Merlo on Sunday.

LMU beat Cal Irvine 4-2
It was closer than it seems. Two scores were in the last 2 minutes.
They line up against #13 seed UCLA on Sunday.

Future WCC candidate Cal Baptist took USD to PK’s and sent the toreros out of the tournament. They get #1 overall seed Marshall in the next round for their effort.

https://www.koin.com/sports/happy-valleys-oladapo-brothers-making-names-for-themselves-on-respective-fields/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&utm_campaign=socialflow

Go Pilots! Show up and support the team in beating the Beavers today!