When asked to describe the 2016 Concordia University Chicago men's soccer team, the first word from ninth-year head coach Micah Middendorf is "experienced." While that word is not usually associated with a team that features just four seniors, Middendorf believes in a strong incoming group of players that will help the Cougars improve on last year's 6-11-1 record. In particular, Middendorf carries a lot of confidence in his freshmen players about whom he says, "I'm not afraid of putting them in among our top eleven. I believe that they can handle the rigors of college soccer, having shown strong results for their previous high school and club programs."
 
Among the best assets of this year's team, Middendorf lists the Cougars' defense as number one. "We have a big class of goalkeepers this year, and whoever emerges from that will have earned the right to play. Our defenders are a good mix of talents this year, and they have shown themselves to communicate well as a unit."
 
Middendorf is excited to work with two assistant coaches, both of whom paid their dues as key players in the program. Brendan Mullane begins his second year with the program, and Middendorf says that "Brendan has really grown into the position. He's only two years removed from his playing days, and our guys that played with him still have a connection with him; they know that his advice carries some weight because he's been there before."
 
New to the staff is former four-year midfielder and defender Diego Diaz. "I'm really happy that Diego is on board with us," says Middendorf. "I feel this will be a good experience for him, and I hope that he has a smooth transition from player to coach."

GOALKEEPERS                                                                  
Never before have the Cougars seen such a large class of goalkeepers as the half-dozen that have competed for the position at the start of the preseason. "Some years, you see an over-abundance of players at one position that you can't explain, but this is the first I've ever seen a group this large competing for keeper."

Middendorf states that sophomore Zach Adamec (Louisville, KY/Butler Traditional) and Roberto Aragon (Cicero, IL/Morton East) have emerged as the top two candidates, both having previous experience for the Cougars (Adamec in 2015, Aragon in 2013). However, Ariel Manjarrez (Berwyn, IL/Morton West) has also shown enough quality in his play, with Middendorf admitting that "Ariel certainly has put himself in the mix with Zach and Roberto."

While it is still a mystery who will emerge as the number one, Middendorf says of the sextet, "It is important that all of them, especially the three freshmen, be patient and focus on improving every day."

DEFENDERS
Youth will patrol the sidelines while the experience will man the middle in front of the goalkeeper. Senior Edwin Regalado (Addison, IL/Addison Trail) and junior Diego Ramirez (Chicago, IL/Lincoln Park) are the starting center backs, with Middendorf noting that, "Edwin has earned the chance to build upon his success from last season, and his leadership will be key for our team, along with Diego's athleticism."

The outside backs will consist of a pair of freshmen, Hayden Boyd (Danville, KY/H.S.) and David Sanford (Safety Harbor, FL/Countryside). "Both of them have impressed with their abilities in the early going. We feel they will play well in their own zone but not be afraid to come forward when the situation shows itself."

MIDFIELDERS  
Less than a week before the Cougars' first match, the good news came in the return of senior midfielder Roberto Avila (Cicero, IL/Morton East). "Beto is a special player," says Middendorf of the man that scored two goals (one game-winner) and assisted on six. He has solid composure and sees the game probably better than anyone on the field."

Joining Avila in the midfield will be veterans Peter Kass (Western Springs, IL/Lyons Township) and Dan Krajewski (Addison, IL/Addison Trail). "Peter has come back from injury and has really emerged early on as an important player in our mix," states Middendorf. "He is more disciplined and working hard, and it shows in the way he has been practicing." Middendorf says of Krajewski, "Dan loves to push forward, and we expect him to be involved in much of our scoring as he was last year (five goals, 12 points)." Also likely to join the midfield mix is freshman Arkadiusz Szlachta (Villa Park, IL/Willowbrook).

FORWARDS
With the graduation of top scorer Joey Malme, the target player in the CUC attack will be Chris Arevalo (Chicago, IL/St. Patrick). "Chris has been a part of our program for a few years and has worked his way up in order to be in this position, and we think he's ready for the challenge," said Middendorf. Other key players in the attack figure to be junior Gibril Jobe (Berwyn, IL/Morton West) who scored four goals and 12 points in 2015, and freshman Dillen Mayfield (Warrenton, MO/H.S.) who, according to Middendorf, "has the ability to be a big scorer for us as he adjusts to the college game."

SCHEDULE
The Cougar men will commence the new season with two matches in Indiana on Labor Day Weekend against Bluffton College and host Manchester University. A third road match follows Sept. 8 at Maranatha Baptist University before the Cougars return to Concordia Stadium for the home opener Sunday, Sept. 11 against Illinois College.

Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play begins the following Sunday, Sept. 18 when CUC welcomes Marian University to River Forest. This begins a three-game home stand that culminates Sept. 28 with a match against Dominican University – a match that is part of the newly instituted River Forest Rivalry Cup.

The Cougars then hit the road for three straight NACC matches before returning home for a second three-game home stand which features conference opponents Benedictine University (Oct. 12), Rockford University (Oct. 16) and Aurora University (Oct. 19). Concordia-Chicago then plays its final two regular-season matches on the road before conference tournament play begins on Oct. 29.