The 2020 Conference USA men's soccer season is the 26th season of men's varsity soccer in the conference. The season was slated to begin on August 29, 2020 and conclude on November 14, 2020. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the season was postponed to begin on February 3, 2021, and conclude on April 17, 2021.
Despite the delay, Kentucky, South Carolina, and UAB will be playing competitive fixtures during the fall season.
Due to the pandemic, the regular season champion earned the league's automatic bid.
Marshall, who won the conference, won the national title game 1–0 in overtime over Indiana. This was not only Marshall's first men's soccer title, but was also the first national title in a team sport won by a Conference USA member while affiliated with the league.
Background Previous season
The 2019 season saw Marshall win both the Conference USA regular season and tournament, the first time in program history. Marshall, Charlotte, and Kentucky earned berths into the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Tournament. Charlotte and Kentucky were eliminated in the Second Round, while Marshall beat in-state rival, West Virginia to reach the Sweet Sixteen where they fell to the University of Washington.
Charlotte goalkeeper, Elliot Panicco earned the Senior CLASS Award.
Head coaches
Team Head coach Previous job Years at school Overall record Record at school C-USA record NCAATournaments NCAACollege Cups NCAATitlesCharlotte Charlotte (asst.) 9 7 0 0 FIU Orlando City SC (scout) 4 1 0 0Florida Atlantic South Carolina (asst.) 4 0 0 0Kentucky Dartmouth 9 11 0 0Marshall Charleston (WV) 4 1 0 0Old Dominion North Carolina (asst.) 24 14 0 0South Carolina The Citadel 42 22 3 0UAB Virginia Tech (asst.) 2 0 0 0
Preseason Preseason poll
The preseason poll was released on January 27, 2021.
Team ranking 1 Marshall 2 Kentucky 3 Charlotte 4 FIU 5 Florida Atlantic 6 South Carolina 7 UAB 8 Old Dominion
Preseason national rankings The preseason national rankings were to be announced in August 2020, but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only CollegeSoccerNews.com released a fall preseason poll.
UnitedSoccer CSNSoccerAmericaTopDrawerSoccerCharlotte — — — —FIU — — — —Florida Atlantic — — — —Kentucky — — — —Marshall — — — —Old Dominion — — — —South Carolina — — — —UAB — — — —
Preseason All-Conference teams
Honor Recipient Preseason Offensive Player of the YearMilo Yosef, Marshall Preseason Defensive Player of the YearPatrick Hogan, Charlotte
Preseason All-AAC Team
2020 C-USA Men's Soccer Preseason Team First Team Joe Brito – Charlotte Patrick Hogan – Charlotte Luke Johnson – Charlotte Alessandro Campoy – FIU Alonso Coello Camarero – Florida Atlantic Ivan Mykhailenko – Florida Atlantic Enrique Facusse – Kentucky Marcel Meinzer – Kentucky Pedro Dolabella – Marshall Jan-Erik Leinhos – Marshall Milo Yosef – Marshall
Fall 2020 season
Matches Kentucky, South Carolina, and UAB played competitive matches during the fall.
Index to colors and formattingCUSA member wonCUSA member lostCUSA member tiedCUSA teams in bold All times Eastern time.
Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result Attendance September 17 7:00 p.m. Kentucky Notre Dame Alumni Stadium • Notre Dame, IN L 0–1 1September 192:00 p.m.UABCentral ArkansasBill Stephens Stadium • Conway, ARW 3–2105September 197:00 p.m.Georgia SouthernSouth CarolinaEugene Stone Stadium • Columbia, SCW 2–0100September 217:00 p.m.DukeKentuckyBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYW 4–2 95September 247:00 p.m.Georgia StateSouth CarolinaEugene Stone Stadium • Columbia, SCL 1–3320September 266:00 p.m.UABGeorgia SouthernEagle Field • Statesboro, GAL 2–3 266September 287:30 p.m.KentuckyLouisvilleBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYW 3–1115September 304:00 p.m.UABGeorgia StateGSU Soccer Field • Atlanta, GAL 0–4214October 17:00 p.m.ClemsonSouth CarolinaEugene Stone Stadium • Columbia, SCL 0–3 460October 23:00 p.m.No. 4 KentuckyCentral ArkansasBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYW 2–1 (OT)83October 55:00 p.m.UABNo. 3 ClemsonRiggs Field • Clemson, SCL 0–2748October 106:00 p.m.South CarolinaMercerBetts Stadium • Macon, GAW 1–0116October 106:00 p.m.UABNo. 1 Wake ForestSpry Stadium • Winston-Salem, NCL 0–30October 137:00 p.m.Georgia StateUABBBVA Field • Birmingham, ALL 1–4 195October 147:00 p.m.MercerNo. 4 KentuckyBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYW 3–197October 177:00 p.m.UABKentuckyBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYUK 2–0144October 207:00 p.m.Georgia SouthernUABBBVA Field • Birmingham, ALCancelledOctober 247:00 p.m.UABSouth CarolinaEugene Stone Stadium • Columbia, SCCancelledOctober 283:00 p.m.Central ArkansasUABBBVA Field • Birmingham, ALCancelledOctober 307:00 p.m.KentuckyDukeBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYCancelled
Rankings United Soccer Coaches During the fall 2020 season, United Soccer Coaches ran a Top 5 poll for the programs playing in fall.
Improvement in ranking Drop in rankingRVReceived votes but were not ranked in Top 5NVNo votes received Wk 1 Wk2 Wk3 Wk4 Wk5 Wk6 Wk7 Wk8 Wk9 Wk10 KentuckyNV 444444444South CarolinaNVNVNVNVNVNVNVNVNVNVUABNVNVNVNVNVNVNVNVNVNV
Awards and honors
Date Player Position School Honor Ref. FW South Carolina TopDrawer Soccer Team of the Week MF UAB DF South Carolina
Spring 2021 season Positions by round
Matches Preseason exhibitions
Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result Attendance January 23 5:00 p.m. FIU UCF UCF Soccer and Track StadiumOrlando, FL W 2–0 0January 302:00 p.m.LibertyCharlotteTransamerica FieldCharlotte, NCT 1–10 January 30 5:00 p.m. FIU South Florida Corbett Soccer StadiumTampa, FL W 2–0 0January 305:00 p.m.UABLipscombLipscomb Soccer ComplexNashville, TNT 1-187February 26:00 p.m.CharlotteDavidsonAlumni Soccer StadiumDavidson, NCCancelledFebruary 37:00 p.m.LanderSouth CarolinaStone StadiumColumbia, SCL 0–1 0February 53:00 p.m.BellarmineKentuckyBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYCancelledFebruary 67:00 p.m.MontevalloUABBBVA Field • Birmingham, ALW 1-5196
Week 1 (Feb. 3 – Feb. 7)
Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceFebruary 35:00 p.m.VCUMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVPostponed February 3 6:00 p.m. North Florida Florida Atlantic FAU Soccer StadiumBoca Raton, FL W 1–0120February 62:00 p.m.Old DominionVCUSports Backers Stadium • Richmond, VAPostponed February 7 2:00 p.m. FIU Jacksonville Southern Oak StadiumJacksonville, FL PostponedFebruary 75:00 p.m.North FloridaSouth CarolinaStone StadiumColumbia, SCFebruary 93:00 p.m.XavierKentuckyBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYW 1-2 56
Week 2 (Feb. 8 – Feb. 14)
Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceFebruary 126:00 p.m.CharlotteDukeKoskinen StadiumDurham, NCFebruary 131:00 p.m.Ohio ValleyMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVFebruary 133:00 p.m.Bowling GreenKentuckyBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYFebruary 142:00 p.m.CampbellOld DominionODU Soccer ComplexNorfolk, VAFebruary 142:00 p.m.WinthropSouth CarolinaStone StadiumColumbia, SC
Week 3 (Feb. 15 – Feb. 21) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceFebruary 162:00 p.m.LipscombMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVFebruary 167:00 p.m.Central ArkansasUABBBVA FieldBirmingham, ALFebruary 177:00 p.m.Florida Gulf CoastFIUFIU Soccer StadiumMiami, FL February 17 7:00 p.m. USC Upstate South Carolina Stone StadiumColumbia, SC February 192:00 p.m.KentuckyDukeKoskinen StadiumDurham, NC February 19 3:00 p.m. Florida Atlantic Jacksonville Southern Oak StadiumJacksonville, FL February 194:00 p.m.West Virginia TechMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVFebruary 202:00 p.m.West VirginiaCharlotteTransamerica FieldCharlotte, NCFebruary 202:00 p.m.George MasonOld DominionODU Soccer ComplexNorfolk, VAFebruary 206:00 p.m.UABNC StateDail Soccer FieldRaleigh, NCFebruary 207:00 p.m.FIUNorth FloridaHodges StadiumJacksonville, FLFebruary 216:00 p.m.South CarolinaFurmanStone StadiumGreenville, SC
Week 4 (Feb. 22 – Feb. 28) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceFebruary 232:00 p.m.ETSUMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WV February 24 7:00 p.m. Florida Atlantic Florida Gulf Coast FGCU Soccer ComplexFort Myers, FL February 254:00 p.m.AkronKentuckyBell Soccer Complex • Lexington, KYFebruary 272:00 p.m.WoffordSouth CarolinaStone StadiumColumbia, SCFebruary 273:00 p.m.Bowling GreenMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVFebruary 281:00 p.m.Old DominionWilliam & MaryAlbert–Daly FieldWilliamsburg, VA
Week 5 (Mar. 1 – Mar. 7) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceMarch 23:00 p.m.MarshallAkronFirstEnergy Stadium Akron, OHMarch 6TBACharlotteKentuckyBell Soccer ComplexLexington, KYMarch 62:00 p.m.Florida AtlanticFIUFIU Soccer StadiumMiami, FLMarch 62:00 p.m.MarshallSouth CarolinaStone StadiumColumbia, SCMarch 63:00 p.m.Old DominionUABBBVA FieldBirmingham, AL
Week 6 (Mar. 8 – Mar. 14) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceMarch 1312:00 p.m.FIUMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVMarch 132:00 p.m.UABCharlotteTransamerica FieldCharlotte, NCMarch 132:00 p.m.KentuckyFlorida AtlanticFAU Soccer StadiumBoca Raton, FLMarch 142:00 p.m.South CarolinaOld DominionODU Soccer ComplexNorfolk, VA
Week 7 (Mar. 15 – Mar. 21) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceMarch 187:00 p.m.MarshallKentuckyBell Soccer ComplexLexington, KYMarch 201:00 p.m.UABFIUFIU Soccer StadiumMiami, FLMarch 202:00 p.m.CharlotteSouth CarolinaStone StadiumColumbia, SCMarch 2110:00 a.m.Florida AtlanticOld DominionODU Soccer ComplexNorfolk, VA
Week 8 (Mar. 22 – Mar. 28) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceMarch 243:00 p.m.MarshallWest VirginiaDick Dlesk StadiumMorgantown, WVMarch 272:00 p.m.FIUCharlotteTransamerica FieldCharlotte, NCMarch 272:00 p.m.South CarolinaFlorida AtlanticFAU Soccer StadiumBoca Raton, FLMarch 272:00 p.m.Old DominionMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVMarch 273:00 p.m.KentuckyUABBBVA FieldBirmingham, AL
Week 9 (Mar. 29 – Apr. 4) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceMarch 30TBACharlotteCoastal CarolinaCCU Soccer Stadium Conway, SCApril 32:00 p.m.Florida AtlanticMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVApril 32:00 p.m.UABSouth CarolinaStone StadiumColumbia, SCApril 36:00 p.m.KentuckyFIUFIU Soccer StadiumMiami, FLApril 42:00 p.m.CharlotteOld DominionODU Soccer ComplexNorfolk, VA
Week 10 (Apr. 5 – Apr. 11) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceApril 1011:00 a.m.Old DominionKentuckyBell Soccer ComplexLexington, KYApril 1012:00 p.m.South CarolinaFIUFIU Soccer StadiumMiami, FLApril 102:00 p.m.Florida AtlanticCharlotteTransamerica FieldCharlotte, NCApril 102:00 p.m.MarshallUABBBVA FieldBirmingham, AL
Week 11 (Apr. 12 – Apr. 18) Date Time (ET) Visiting team Home team Site Result AttendanceApril 172:00 p.m.UABFlorida AtlanticFAU Soccer Stadium Boca Raton, FLApril 172:00 p.m.CharlotteMarshallHoops Family Field Huntington, WVApril 172:00 p.m.FIUOld DominionODU Soccer ComplexNorfolk, VAApril 172:00 p.m.KentuckySouth CarolinaStone StadiumColumbia, SC
Postseason NCAA Tournament
Seed School 1st Round 2nd Round 3rd Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Championship Marshall W 2–1 (OT) vs. Fordham – (Wilson, NC) T 1–1 (7–6 PKs) vs. #1 Clemson – (Cary, NC) W 1–0 vs. #8 Georgetown – (Cary, NC) W 1–0 vs. North Carolina – (Cary, NC) W 1–0 (OT) vs. #3 Indiana – (Cary, NC) Kentucky W 2–0 vs. New Hampshire – (Browns Summit NC) L 1–2 vs. #5 Wake Forest – (Cary, NC) Charlotte T 1–1 (1–4 PKs) vs. North Carolina – (Cary, NC) W–L (%): Total:
MLS SuperDraft The MLS SuperDraft was held on January 21, 2021 and was held virtually through its website.
Total picks by school
TeamRound 1Round 2Round 3Comp.TotalCharlotte 0 0 0 0 0FIU 0 0 0 0 0Florida Atlantic 0 0 0 0 0Kentucky 1 0 0 0 1Marshall 0 0 1 0 1Old Dominion 0 0 0 0 0South Carolina 0 0 0 0 0UAB 0 0 0 0 0 Total 1 0 1 0 2
List of selections