WASHINGTON - The American University men's soccer team announced its 2026 schedule, unveiling a competitive slate of 17 matches. The Eagles will take on four of last year's top 25 teams in non-conference contests and open up their campaign against Rutgers of the Big Ten on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Reeves Field, where they played undefeated soccer in the 2025 regular season. Patriot League play begins on Friday, Sept. 11 at Colgate, as AU looks to claim a second straight regular season title under seventh-year head coach Zach Samol. 

Non-Conference Notes

• The Eagles will be strengthened by their non-conference contests throughout the season. After first hosting Rutgers, they'll travel to Hofstra on Aug. 23. 
• The Pride finished the 2025 season ranked #13 in the country after advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, defeating Syracuse and upsetting top-seeded Vermont before falling to Furman. American has a 14-3-1 overall record against the Pride.
• AU will also face two of the ACC's best in UVA and UNC. The Cavaliers made the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season in 2025 and finished the year ranked #5 in the country. It will be AU's 26th meeting with the regional rival on Aug. 28, last defeating Virginia in 2015. 
• American last played North Carolina in 2023 in Chapel Hill, but the game was stopped and canceled in the 36th minute due to inclement weather. The storied program has not missed the NCAA Tournament since 2019, and the Eagles will get a crack at the Tar Heels on Sept. 15.
• The Mountaineers of West Virginia make the short trip down to D.C. on Monday, Oct. 12. They were ranked as high as #3 last year, advancing to the NCAA second round. It will be a rematch of last year's tilt in Morgantown that saw the Eagles fall 2-0. 
• Rounding out the non-conference calendar are matchups with Delaware (Sept. 1), Liberty (Sept. 6), and William and Mary (Sept. 29) all at home. 

Home, Sweet Home

• Nine of AU's games will be played at Reeves Field, two more than the 2025 season offered.  
• The Eagles went 6-1-1 on their home pitch last year, including a draw to #1 Vermont in front of a packed crowd in just the third match of the season. 
• They outscored opponents 14-5 with two clean sheets, scoring two or more goals in four of those contests.  
• With Reeves Field now in its second season since a full renovation, the completed Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance serves as the backdrop to its north end, offering an improved experience for fans with concessions and restroom facilities.

Patriot League

• American opens up Patriot League play for the second straight season against Colgate, this time in Hamilton. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 1-0 behind a screaming second half strike from Sebastian Garces, sparkplugging a four-match winning streak. 
• AU will get both Lafayette and Bucknell at home this year, the only two teams to give the Eagles any trouble in Patriot League play in 2025. They played to a 0-0 draw in Lewisburg, fell to the Leopards 1-0 in Easton, then lost an overtime battle to the Leopards in the Patriot League semifinal at home. 
• Head coach Zach Samol and the reigning Patriot League Coaching Staff of the Year have led the Eagles to six straight postseason berths, last winning the conference tournament in 2021. 

Keep up With Us

• For the latest on American University men's soccer and to receive in-game updates, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (@AU_MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).