KANSAS CITY, MO (August 10, 2026) – United Soccer Coaches has announced the Forwards on its NCAA Division I Men’s Players to Watch lists for the 2026 intercollegiate season.
The lists are compiled and released by the Division I All-America Committees to promote college soccer leading up to the official start date for the regular season later this month. The lists include United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and All-Region players from 2025 who are scheduled to return for the 2026 season.
“Entering the 2026 season, these previous honorees represent some of the best at their positions,” said Chris Przemieniecki, Senior College All-America Administrator. “As pre-season training opens, we are pleased to recognize these outstanding student-athletes from our member schools. I would like to thank Ryan Hopkins, DI Men’s All-America Chair and his committees for their efforts in compiling these lists.”
Here is the schedule for all position announcements:
July 31–Goalkeepers
August 3 – Defenders
August 7 – Midfielders
August 10 – Forwards
2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Players to Watch – Forwards
| Name | Class | School | Hometown |
| David Ajagbe | Jr. | University of Portland | Surrey, B.C. |
| Jaime Amaro | Jr. | UCLA | Madrid, Spain |
| Mitchell Baker | Jr. | Georgetown University | Melbourne, Australia |
| Jubril Bamgbala | Sr. | United States Military Academy | North Providence, R.I. |
| Leo Conneh | So. | Michigan State University | Anoka, Minn. |
| Blake D’Agostino | Jr. | California Baptist University | Greenwood Village, Colo. |
| Andrea Di Blasio | Sr. | Boston University | Brooklyn, N.Y. |
| Isaac Emojong | So. | University of Portland | Davis, Calif. |
| Jeremy Francou | Sr. | UMKC | Chartres, France |
| Ivar Gissurarson | Sr. | University at Albany | Reykjavik, Iceland |
| Joe Highfield | Sr. | University of Portland | Plymouth, Minn. |
| David Ismail | GR-5 | University of Vermont | Bayreuth, Germany |
| Samson Kpardeh | Jr. | Liberty University | Worcester, Mass. |
| Mikkel Lejbowicz | Jr. | Seton Hall University | Farum, Denmark |
| Matt Lenert | Sr. | College of Charleston | Falls Church, Va. |
| Daniel Lugo | Sr. | High Point University | St. Petersburg, Fla. |
| Andres Escudero Martin | So. | University of Louisville | San Sebastian de los Reyes, Spain |
| Arnold Matshazi | Jr. | University of Virginia | Milton Keynes, England |
| Johan Nissen-Lie | Jr. | Bellarmine University | Asker, Norway |
| Stephane Njike | Jr. | Indiana University | Paris, France |
| Ryan Okerayi | Sr. | Houston Christian University | Houston, Texas |
| Finlay Oliver | Sr. | Stony Brook University | Oneonta, N.Y. |
| Pablo Pozos | Sr. | West Virginia University | Madrid, Spain |
| Thomas Robertson | Sr. | Lehigh University | Chapel Hill, N.C. |
| Drew Roskos | Jr. | Bucknell University | Delran, N.J. |
| Donovan Sessoms | Sr. | University of California Santa Barbara | Antelope, Calif. |
| Stephan Soghomonian | Jr. | Southern Methodist University | Santa Clarita, Calif. |
| Marius Stenner | Jr. | University of Delaware | Svendborg, Denmark |
| Chris Verheul | Jr. | Marist University | Steenderen, Netherlands |
These positional announcements also lead up to the 2026 watch lists for the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy on the official start date for regular season games on August 19 (men). The MAC Hermann Trophy is presented annually to the Division I National Players of the Year as voted by Division I College Coaches at the end of the regular season. The 2026 recipients will be announced on January 8, 2027, in St. Louis, Mo.
United Soccer Coaches is the world’s largest association of soccer coaches, serving members at every level with education, community, and recognition. Through courses, events, and awards, United Soccer Coaches helps coaches learn, connect. and lead.
