Michigan Wolverines
Overall Rank: #15
Conference Rank: #2 Big Ten
Michigan Team Page
For a program that had trouble catching fire early in the season, Michigan rose to the top at just the right time. The Wolverines were 4-7-1 as late as October 19 before winning seven of their final 10 games, including a performance in the Big Ten tournament that was impressive enough to earn an NCAA berth. The Wolverines have to mesh that strong finish with an even stronger start to prevent slippage in the fall 2013 campaign.
2012 Record: 11-10-1, 3-2-1
2012 Postseason: NCAA (lost to Akron, 2-1, in second round)
Coach: Chaka Daley
Strengths:
Brazilian sensation Fabio Villas Boas Pereira, who has garnered plenty of preseason accolades and attention, anchors the midfield and brings with him a strong scoring presence. His 20 points, off six goals and eight assists, ignited a Michigan offense that managed just five goals in its 10 losses and was shut out five times. Even better news centers around the returns of Tyler Arnone, T.J. Roehn and James Murphy. This means all four top scorers for the Wolverines are back in 2013, and that accounts for 18 of the team’s 30 goals scored last year. Junior kicker Adam Grinwis is also back, having played in 21 of the team’s 22 games with a 1.11 goals against average. It’s hard to beat teams that have a steady offense and solid goalkeeping.
Weaknesses:
The biggest problem Michigan has, and perhaps its only problem the way things are looking, is the team’s performance on the road. The Wolverines went 2-6 away from Ann Arbor, including losses to ranked opponents like South Florida, Marquette, Northwestern and Akron. Maybe the Wolverines can be excused because most of the top 25 matchups occurred on the road, but one fact is clear. The team needs to win these games if it hopes for a Big Ten title and a long trip through the NCAA tournament.
Final Projection:
The Wolverines are in much better shape than 2012, with four top scorers, solid goalkeeping and a strong Big Ten that should help them get traction. Games against South Florida and Marquette are at home this year, where the Wolverines were much better. Most of the road trips take place early in the season, but the final six regular-season games are in Michigan, five at Ann Arbor and one in East Lansing against Michigan State. If the Wolverines do not win at least 14 or 15 games this year, it will be a surprise.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Fabio Villas Boas Pereira, Senior, MF, 6
Assists: Fabio Villas Boas Pereira, Senior, MF, 8
Shots: Tyler Arnone, Junior, MF, 46
Saves: Adam Grinwis, Senior, GK, 92
Madness 2014 MLS Draft Rankings:
#54 Fabio Pereira
Madness 2013 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#103 Brett Nason
#115 Rylee Woods
#119 Lars Eckenrode
See All Men's Soccer Top 44 Team Previews
