Syracuse Men’s Soccer Poised for a Postseason Push
By: Adam Hipsky | @adamhipsky
As the regular season winds down, Syracuse men’s soccer finds itself right in the middle of the ACC race with a lot still to prove. The Orange are currently projected as the fifth seed in the ACC Tournament, which means they would host a first-round match at the SU Soccer Stadium. From there, the road becomes much tougher, but this is a program that knows how to handle pressure. The question now is whether this version of ‘Cuse has the right balance and momentum to make another deep postseason run.
At 6–4–2 overall and 3–2 in conference play, Syracuse sits comfortably in the upper half of the ACC standings. The Orange have been solid away from home, posting a 3–1 record on the road, but have struggled to find consistency at SU Soccer Stadium, where they are 3–3–2. The ACC is loaded from top to bottom, and finishing fifth means Syracuse will likely run into one of the league’s heavyweights early on. Historically, it’s rare for a team seeded fifth or lower to reach the final, but SU has made a habit of outperforming expectations. Its 2022 national championship run proved how dangerous they can be when things start to click.
Syracuse’s postseason hopes start with its defense. Goalkeeper Tomas Hut has been outstanding, recording a 0.67 goals-against average and seven shutouts through 12 matches. His .789 save percentage ranks among the best in the ACC, and the Orange have allowed only eight goals all season. That kind of defensive consistency gives them a real foundation to build from.
The back line has limited opponents to just nine shots per game and less than one goal per match. It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable. The group communicates well and rarely gives up easy chances. When the pressure builds, they stay organized and force opponents into low-percentage attempts. In postseason soccer, those kind of traits are exactly what you need to survive tight matches.
Offensively, SU has been less convincing. The Orange have scored just 13 goals in 12 matches, averaging a little over one per game. Despite outshooting opponents 174 to 111 and earning 72 corner kicks, their conversion rate sits at just 7.5 percent. The opportunities are there, but the finishing hasn’t followed.
Forward Carlos Zambrano has carried the attack, leading the team with four goals and one assist. His finishing ability and calm presence in the box have kept Syracuse competitive in tight games. Landon Darko and Chimere Omeze have each added two goals, while midfielders like Kelvin Da Costa and Tim Brdaric have chipped in when needed. Still, the Orange lack a consistent second scorer who can take some of the pressure off Zambrano.
The good news is that the offense seems to be finding its rhythm. Recent wins over Boston College and SMU showed better movement and more creativity in the final third. If Syracuse can start finishing a few more of the chances they create, they could be a tough out in the tournament.
The ACC Tournament always tests a team’s ability to adapt. As the fifth seed, Syracuse would host a first-round game before facing a top-four opponent on the road in the quarterfinals. That could mean a matchup with Duke, Wake Forest, or Clemson, all of which have the firepower to punish mistakes. But those teams have also tended to struggle against organized, defensive opponents, which fits Syracuse’s style well.
The tournament has a history of upsets, and teams that stay patient and capitalize on set pieces often go further than expected. Syracuse’s advantage on corner kicks could play a major role. A single goal from a well-placed delivery can flip a playoff game in an instant. Experience will also be key, and several of Syracuse’s upperclassmen, including Hut and Zambrano, have been in big postseason moments before.
For the ‘Cuse to make a serious run, two areas have to get better: finishing and ball control in the midfield. Too often for SU, promising attacks have broken down because of rushed passes or poor spacing. The Orange also need to stay composed in transition to prevent turnovers that leave the back line exposed. Cleaning up those details could be the difference between an early exit and a deep run.
At 6–4–2, the Orange look like a classic dark horse. They defend well, have one of the league’s strongest coaching staff, and rarely beat themselves. Their home-field advantage in the first round should help build confidence, and their track record of performing under pressure can’t be ignored. If Zambrano keeps scoring and Hut continues his strong form in goal, the Orange have a real chance to reach the semifinals and possibly more.
The odds might not favor a fifth seed to win it all, but Syracuse has the right pieces to make things interesting. With its experience, this team is built to hang around longer than people expect once the postseason begins.
