According to Cyclones men's soccer Head Coach Chris Koloffon, this is the year they've been working toward with the right combination of players on the team. He's hoping that will translate to greater gains this season.

In his fifth season leading the program, Koloffon has been working to strengthen the roster and develop players to compete in one of the toughest regions in the country. Last year, the team went 9-6-1 overall, defeating the runner-up from the 2022 national tournament and nearly defeating the national champs. They were in every game, even while starting up to nine freshmen, including the goalkeeper. With most of those players back, the depth of returners and strength of incoming recruits will make a difference.

"Last year we were up there with the top teams. We're confident we can do that again. The goal is to take it to the next step. If we're at our potential, we'll be one of the teams to beat," he said.

The biggest difference is more players who can put the ball in the net up top. Last year, the Cyclones didn't have a true goal scorer, but now they do with freshmen Ahmed Dhalai (Reavis) and Emmanuel Calixto (Eisenhower).

Koloffon is excited to have the whole back line and center midfield return, including Yael Diaz (Hubbard), who scored big goals in key moments last year, while Niko Kunz (Sandburg) and Jose Aceves (Oak Lawn) were the top defenders. Mark-Vitaily Hul (Ukraine) was another key center back and Abdallah Omar (Stagg) was a strong midfielder as well. Goalkeeper Rylan Decker (Lincoln-Way West) unexpectedly became a starter and played every game as a freshman, making some huge saves.

Decker will have some help this season from talented freshman keeper Jose Flores (Stagg). Another player who should make an impact is incoming holding midfielder Diego Zarate (Hubbard), whose club team competed at the youth nationals.

"We have a lot of experience in the back, and it's great to have two goalkeepers fighting for the spot," Koloffon noted. "Several guys played high-level soccer this summer to be ready, so we have a very good idea of their fitness and preparedness."

The goal this fall is to win a conference title and finish in the top four within Region 4. With at least seven returning starters and the skilled newcomers, optimism is high.

"I think we're more confident, and we have more control making it happen. It's more in our hands with the makeup of players we have. We retained a lot of sophomores, and I'm very proud of them for working hard to come back. We're going in the right direction," Koloffon said.

In preseason, Koloffon added three scrimmage games against four-year colleges and universities, one more than usual, to prepare the team for the level of competition they will face this season. That, along with two new assistant coaches – Cyclone alumni Andruw Martinez and Marco Calixto – and returning assistant Javier Roman (who coaches the women's team), should make for an entertaining season and a team to watch this fall.

The Cyclones' season and home opener is Saturday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m., against Kankakee Community College.