BLACKSBURG – With the expectation of continuing its upward trajectory as national contenders, the Virginia Tech men's soccer opens its 50th season of varsity competition on Thursday against Kansas City at the Fairfield by Marriott Invitational.
MATCH DETAILS
Opponent: Kansas City
Date/Time: Thursday, August 26 | 4 p.m.
Location: Sentara Park (Harrisonburg, Va.)
Live Stats: HERE
UMKC
Thursday's fixture will be the Hokies' (0-0, 0-0 ACC) first contest against the Roos (0-0, 0-0 Summit) in program history. In its first season under Ryan Pore in 2021, Kansas City finished middle of the pack in the Summit League with 5-8-1 overall record.
Returning to JMU Invite
The 2021 season opener marks Tech's sixth trip to compete in the JMU Invite during the Mike Brizendine era. The Hokies are 8-2 in those previous five trips, including 4-1 in the first match, and 3-0 when the first contest opens the regular season.
Tough Task at Hand
Three of the Hokies' first four games (Marshall, UCF, and Seton Hall) fall against teams that played in last year's NCAA Tournament and find themselves in the preseason United Soccer Coaches poll. In addition to a grueling non-conference slate, Tech assumes its typical daunting ACC gauntlet. Three of the last four contests on the Hokies' schedule come against 'Elite Eight' teams from last year: Wake Forest, UNC, and Pitt.
Five Straight
With its selection to the 2020 NCAA DI Men's Soccer Championship, Virginia Tech qualified for its fifth-consecutive NCAA tournament. Only five other teams can boast that accomplishment: Indiana, Maryland, Stanford, Wake Forest, and Washington.
Up Next
On the horizon looms the first of many matches against teams ranked in the preseason Top-25 poll, as No. 1 Marshall awaits the Hokies on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in Harrisonburg.
