*Varsity Blues men's soccer season preview, presented by Lebanese Garden*

After topping the OUA East and advancing to the quarter-finals in 2024, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer team has its sights set on going even further this season.

The Blues finished last season with a 9-2-1 (W-L-T) record led by CPL first-round draft picks Niklas Hallam and Mehdi Essoussi, giving themselves home field advantage in the OUA quarter-final against Ontario Tech and the No. 8 ranking in the country. The Blues came up short, finding themselves on the wrong end of a 5-2 score. The loss left Toronto motivated and ready for a strong 2025 season as they position themselves for another successful OUA campaign in anticipation of hosting the 2025 U SPORTS National Championship at Varsity Stadium in November.

FROM THE COACH'S DESK
"We're excited for the upcoming season and look forward to building on last year's success. Winning the OUA East was a significant achievement, but our disappointment with the playoff performance has motivated us to work harder and return stronger. Having the privilege to host the U SPORTS national championship brings additional excitement and responsibility – we want to be prepared to compete at the highest level on our home field. To achieve our goals, we'll need a complete team effort with every player contributing their part to the collective aims."

• Ilya Orlov, University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's soccer head coach

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Key Returners: Mehdi Essoussi (MF), Anthony White (D), Niklas Hallam (MF)
Key Additions: Filip Zendelek (GK), Jordan Grey (ST), Micah Joseph (MF)

LAST SEASON'S LEADERS
Goals: Niklas Hallam, Andrea Schifano | 12 GP, 10 G
Assists: Ife Adenuga | 11 GP, 3 A
Saves: Maxwell Campeau | 6 GP, 12 SV

FROM THE FIELD
"[We are] feeling confident and motivated to work hard during training camp. The team knows that this year we have a lot to play for so everyone is going to be pushing each other. The goals and expectations are to improve the results of last season. We want to win the season, but also perform significantly better in the playoffs. Lastly, since we're hosting Nationals the goal would be to get national recognition and put on a performance that represents our program with pride. I'm excited that we've retained some of our more experienced players and added new talent to the roster. I'm looking forward to working hard and seeing what this team can accomplish together."

• Alex Ivanov, 2nd year, Defender

MARQUEE GAMES
August 31 vs. Carleton
Toronto opens their Varsity Stadium schedule with a matchup against the Carleton Ravens. The Ravens were ranked No. 4 in the country at the end of the 2024 regular season, but the Blues got the better of them last season, drawing 1-1 in Ottawa, and winning 2-1 at home. This game will prove to be an early test for the Blues as they look to impress their home crowd and prove to themselves that they can compete among the best teams in the province and country once again.

September 19 vs. TMU
Facing off against their cross-town rivals and last year's No. 3 ranked TMU Bold, the Blues will have to bring their best game in order to prove they can compete with another top team in the country. The Blues and Bold split their season series in 2024, with each team winning by one goal on home field, featuring an 83rd-minute goal by rookie sensation Niklas Hallam to give the Blues a 3-2 lead and eventual victory. The Blues will look to maintain their strong play at home, as they went 6-1 in the friendly confines of Varsity Stadium last season.

September 21 vs. Ontario Tech
Taking on the team that eliminated them in the OUA quarter-final playoffs last season, the Blues will be hungry for revenge as they look to put last year's defeat behind them. In six regular season games dating back to 2019, the Blues and Ridgebacks have tied four times and Ridgebacks have won the remaining two. This is the final of two games against Ontario Tech during the 2025 campaign, as the Blues open their season on the road in Oshawa on Friday, Aug. 29.

October 5 vs. Laurentian
In their final game at Varsity Stadium before the OUA playoffs, the Blues take on the Laurentian Voyaguers, a team that they currently hold a nine-game winning streak against dating back to the 2018 season. Most recently, the Blues trounced the Voyageurs 11-1 at home late in the 2024 regular season, and they will hope to use this game to give themselves momentum before embarking on a northern road trip that will conclude the regular season.

GET YOUR TICKETS
Game tickets can be purchased at varsityblues.ca/tickets.

All Varsity Blues home soccer games will also be streamed live and on-demand via oua.tv.