Feb. 25, 2011
="" alt="Knight Head" border="0" class="imported"> Read John Denton's Knights Insider | ="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported">Follow us on Twitter | ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported">Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Coming off arguably the best season in program history, the UCF men's soccer team is set to begin another challenging slate of opponents during the spring season. The Knights spent much of the 2010 season ranked in the nation's top 25, advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament against eventual College Cup semifinalist Michigan.
"Playing one of the best spring schedules in the nation last spring translated to great success in the fall of 2010," head coach Bryan Cunningham said. "We are using that same formula in the spring schedule this year."
UCF began the spring season with three games against Major League Soccer (MLS) opponents. The Knights took on Philadelphia Union on Feb. 13 and the New England Revolution on Feb. 18 in games played at the UCF Soccer Complex.
Most recently, the Knights took on the Seattle Sounders in Bradenton, Fla., at the IMG Soccer Academy Thursday afternoon.
Looking ahead, UCF will host three more matches against outside competition this spring. The Knights will next take on Orlando City FC on March 20 at 2 p.m. and FC Tampa Bay on March 27.
The Black and Gold will also host its annual Alumni Game on March 26 on the practice field at 10 a.m.
The final contest of the 2011 spring season pits the Knights against the Under-17 US National Team at home on April 9 at 7 p.m.
"Having already played three MLS teams, it is a great opportunity for our players to play under constant pressure both in the attack and defense," Cunningham added. "We learn a lot about the team both individually and collectively and are looking forward to the second half of the spring playing Orlando City FC, FC Tampa Bay and the Under-17 US National Team."
Admission is free to the public to all games this spring.