Defending regular-season and tournament champion La Sierra opens the 2026 Great Southwest Athletic Conference men's soccer season as the preseason favorite after receiving six first-place votes and totaling 72 points in the GSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Embry-Riddle earned one first-place vote and finished second with 67 points, followed by Arizona Christian with two first-place votes and 63 points. Benedictine Mesa received the remaining first-place vote and placed fourth with 54 points.

Hope International was fifth with 51 points, followed closely by The Master's with 50. Park Gilbert totaled 35 points, OUAZ received 25, Soka finished with 20 and Life Pacific completed the 10-team poll with 13.

La Sierra finished 10-3 in conference play last season to capture the GSAC regular-season title before defeating Benedictine Mesa, 2-0, in the conference championship match. The Golden Eagles went on to represent the GSAC in the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Opening Round.

The 2026 conference race features 10 programs, with the regular season beginning August 20 and conference play opening September 8. Each of the 10 GSAC men's soccer programs selected two student-athletes as its 2026 Players to Watch. The group includes returning All-GSAC performers, established starters, experienced transfers and newcomers expected to play significant roles this fall.

Players to Watch are program nominations intended to spotlight student-athletes expected to make an impact during the upcoming season. They are not preseason All-GSAC selections. La Sierra enters the season as the defending GSAC regular-season and tournament champion after finishing 10-3 in conference play and defeating Benedictine Mesa, 2-0, in the 2025 GSAC Championship match. The Golden Eagles return more than 10 players, nine starters and their starting goalkeeper.

Returning All-GSAC selections Vinicius Goncalves, Carlos Leon and Elias Quintanar Macias headline the returning group, with Alvaro Romero also back. Christopher Aceves is among the notable departures.

Ricky Venegas joins the program from Patriot High School. Players to Watch Carlos Leon and Elias Quintanar Macias lead a team built on ambition, commitment and a desire to improve every day as La Sierra attempts to defend both conference championships.
  Embry-Riddle returns more than 10 players and six starters from a team that advanced to the 2025 GSAC semifinals. The Eagles will need to replace their starting goalkeeper but otherwise bring back a strong core from last season.

Returning All-GSAC selections Nitai Bental and Francesco Busini headline the roster, with Dario Ajdini also returning. Ravi Holladay is the most notable departure.

Hugo Gil and Sam Macdonald join the program as newcomers. With a strong returning group, Embry-Riddle expects to field a team similar in quality and experience to last season's GSAC semifinal squad. Players to Watch Nitai Bental and Francesco Busini will be central to that effort.
  Arizona Christian returns more than 10 players, eight starters and its starting goalkeeper from a team that reached the 2025 GSAC semifinals. Four of the Firestorm's five All-GSAC selections are back: Raul Aranda, Jose Garcia, Jake Underwood and Emiliano Vega.

Josh Flanagan returns after recording five goals and three assists, while Logan Johnson played 1,220 minutes and contributed one goal and two assists. Nik Williams and Alexander Menolascina also return. Esteban Ardon and Jake Dickinson are among the notable departures.

The newcomer class includes William Cortez, a junior defender from Pima Community College; Nathan Tchiakpe, a freshman forward from Paris, France; Caleb Anderson, a freshman forward from Liberty High School who scored 34 goals and earned 6A all-state honors; and Brian Franke, a redshirt freshman midfielder who previously attended San Diego Christian. Players to Watch Jose Garcia and Raul Aranda headline an experienced group expected to contend in the GSAC race.
  Benedictine Mesa enters 2026 after reaching the GSAC championship match last season. The Redhawks return more than 10 players and six starters, though they will need to replace several important pieces from the 2025 lineup.

Jack Jackson returns at center back, Wiktor Blachowicz is back in the defensive group, Ryder Skolka returns at forward and Abel Bello provides experience at multiple positions. Goalkeeper Rafael Machado played approximately half the season and did not allow a loss during his appearances. Team captain Jack Taylor, captain and starting goalkeeper Moritz Ae and starting midfielder Niels Derks are among the notable departures.

Bryan Ncube and Charlie Sheppard arrive from Mineral Area College after helping the program win Region 16 championships in 2024 and 2025. John Cappuccitti takes over as head coach after serving as an assistant last season. Players to Watch Rafael Machado and Ryder Skolka will help lead a roster featuring more than 20 returners.
  Hope International returns more than 10 players and six starters entering 2026, although the Royals will need to replace their starting goalkeeper. Center back Christopher Ferrufino and winger Matthias Alcaraz are among the notable returners.

Vincent Lopez, Christian Hernandez, Brandon Galindo and goalkeeper Berlin Torres are among the notable players lost. The incoming class includes Francisco Torres, a Fullerton College transfer and First Team All-Orange Empire Conference selection; Allan Gonzalez, a Cerritos College transfer and member of the 2025 3C2A state championship team; Jorge Orozco, a Golden West College transfer and 2024 First Team All-Orange Empire Conference selection; and Yasir Duque, a Golden West College transfer and 2024 Second Team All-Orange Empire Conference selection.

Hope International features a strong mix of players with GSAC experience and a talented group of newcomers. Players to Watch Allan Gonzalez and Jovanni Molina will be among those expected to make an impact as the Royals look to establish themselves in the conference race.
  The Master's returns more than 10 players but just four starters from last season and will need to replace its starting goalkeeper. Returning All-GSAC selections Clinton Mawusi and Trent Rickard headline the group, with Peyton Gorans, Michael Masimango and Zach Bates also back.

The Mustangs must replace Zach Rodriguez, Benja Mugabi and Thomas Corcione. The incoming class includes Franco Barba from Eastern Illinois University, Umberto Tucceri from Parkland College and Andrew Sorto from College of the Canyons.

Players to Watch Trent Rickard and Franco Barba will be among the central pieces as The Master's prepares for another challenging GSAC race and looks to blend its returning core with an experienced group of newcomers.
  Park Gilbert returns nine players and two starters from last season, giving the Buccaneers a young and largely new roster entering 2026. Starting goalkeeper experience does return, while Caden Dossman is among the notable returning field players.

Jake Fitzpatrick, Havard Bryne and Ryan Lee are among the notable departures. Florian Hibbert joins the program from Pima Community College.

Players to Watch Adam Rydberg and Anton Aaltonen will be among the players expected to help Park Gilbert develop its next group of contributors as the Buccaneers build a new identity throughout the season.
  OUAZ returns more than 10 players and six starters from last season, although the Spirit will need to replace their starting goalkeeper. Jesus Castillo, Jonathan Rodriguez and Zen Courtois headline a mature returning group.

Victor Chakwakwama is the most notable departure. Mathew Mossman, Nelson Zerhoch and Jasper Jackman join the roster as newcomers.

Players to Watch Zen Courtois and Jonathan Rodriguez will be central to a team that expects several new transfers to contribute immediately as OUAZ looks to compete in the GSAC race.
  Soka returns more than 10 players and seven starters entering the 2026 season, though the Lions will need to replace their starting goalkeeper. The roster includes 13 seniors, the largest senior class in program history.

Adalid Oregon is the most notable player lost. No additional notable returners or newcomers were submitted by the program.

Players to Watch Rudy Garcia and David Olivas will help lead an experienced group as Soka looks to capitalize on the continuity created by its large senior class.
  Life Pacific returns more than 10 players but just two starters from last season and will need to replace its starting goalkeeper. David Haley is the most notable returning player, while Sage Belanger is among the key departures.

Angel Norlasco joins the program as a notable newcomer. With a new-look roster, the Warriors will work to develop a new identity and mindset throughout the 2026 season.

Players to Watch Jose Alvarez and David Haley will be among the players expected to lead that transition as Life Pacific builds its next group of contributors.