UCR's roster reflects strong Southern California recruiting. Of the team's 29 players, 24 come from Bakersfield south through Southern California, with one additional player from Tijuana, Baja California. The regional concentration includes players from established club programs like San Diego Surf, Orange County SC, LA Galaxy and LAFC. Many competed against each other in youth leagues before joining UCR. Freshman defender Mika Sebastian Kosch, from Frankfurt, Germany, adds international experience to the primarily local roster.
The Big Ten road trip serves multiple purposes. Early-season victories against high-profile opponents would boost UCR's NCAA Tournament profile, particularly important given the Big West Conference's single automatic bid. UCR benefits from lower profile against Midwest opponents.
UCR's home schedule offers local, affordable Division I soccer:
Sept. 1 vs. Air Force – Home opener
Sept. 8 vs. San Diego State – Mountain West Conference opponent
Sept. 15 vs. Northwestern – Big Ten opponent visits Riverside
Sept. 22 vs. Loyola Marymount – WCC opponent
Sept. 26 vs. California Baptist – Crosstown rivalry
Oct. 1 vs. CSUN – Big West Conference opener
Oct. 8 vs. UC San Diego – Conference matchup
The Sept. 26 matchup against California Baptist has become Riverside's premier sporting event, and this year's game is expected to sell out. This represents the final nonconference meeting between the crosstown rivals. CBU joins the Big West Conference in 2026, meaning future matchups will carry conference championship implications.
The rivalry has captured the local soccer community's imagination. Both programs recruit from the same Southern California talent pool, creating familiarity and intensity between rosters. The atmosphere has grown to rival any collegiate soccer match in California. Get your tickets early. This game will sell out, and with CBU joining the Big West next season, the crosstown rivalry is about to get even bigger. Don't miss what promises to be the most electric soccer atmosphere in the Inland Empire.
UCR soccer matches provide families affordable access to Division I athletics while supporting regional student-athletes. Tickets offer good value compared to professional sporting events. Games bring visitors to Riverside, supporting local restaurants and businesses. Season tickets and individual game tickets are available through the UC Riverside Athletics website, with group discounts for families and youth soccer organizations.
UCR competes in the Big West Conference, which typically earns one automatic NCAA Tournament bid through its conference tournament. The Highlanders face conference opponents CSUN, UC San Diego, Sacramento State, Cal State Fullerton, UC Davis, Cal Poly and Cal State Bakersfield. The season begins with the Michigan road trip before settling into home games that will determine UCR's conference tournament seeding and potential NCAA Tournament hopes.
A group of 16- and 17-year-old soccer players from Riverside won four straight games at a major youth tournament last week, beating teams from across the country.
