So, the dust has finally settled on the 2025 season, and honestly, if you looked at the men's soccer ncaa rankings back in August, you probably wouldn't recognize the top ten list sitting on our desks today. It was a wild ride. We saw the "invincible" programs stumble in November and several dark horses basically kick the door down during the College Cup in Cary.
The University of Washington ended up sitting on the throne. They did it by beating a relentless NC State team 3-2 in an overtime thriller that had everyone at WakeMed Soccer Park holding their breath. But here’s the thing: rankings aren't just about who won the last game. They're a weird, mathematical, and sometimes controversial reflection of a grueling four-month sprint.
The Chaos of the Final Men's Soccer NCAA Rankings
If you're a fan of traditional powerhouses like Indiana or Clemson, the final United Soccer Coaches poll might be a bit of a tough pill to swallow. Washington finished at No. 1, which makes sense because they took home the trophy. But look at the jump they made. Earlier in the season, they were barely scraping the top 20.
Then you have NC State. They finished at No. 2. Most people didn't have the Wolfpack even sniffing a national final at the start of the year. They were a No. 15 seed in the tournament bracket, proving that the RPI and the human polls often live in two completely different universes.
The Final Top Ten (Post-Championship)
- Washington (16-6-2) - The national champs.
- NC State (16-3-4) - The runner-up that shocked the ACC.
- Furman (16-2-5) - A massive year for the Paladins.
- Saint Louis (13-3-8) - The kings of the draw who finally found their scoring touch late.
- Georgetown (14-4-4) - Steady, tactical, and always in the mix.
- Portland (14-2-4) - A West Coast powerhouse that probably deserved a deeper run.
- Maryland (13-2-4) - They dominated the Big Ten regular season but fell early in the dance.
- Princeton (15-2-2) - Representing the Ivy League with serious class.
- Stanford (14-4-2) - Transitioned to the ACC and proved they still belong at the top.
- Bryant (17-2-3) - Statistically one of the best records in the country.
Why the Polls Don't Always Tell the Whole Story
People get worked up about these numbers. I get it. But you have to remember that the men's soccer ncaa rankings are a blend of the United Soccer Coaches Poll, Top Drawer Soccer’s Top 25, and the RPI (Rating Percentage Index).
🔗 Read more: Who Won the Golf Tournament This Weekend: Richard T. Lee and the 2026 Season Kickoff
The RPI is purely a math equation. It looks at your wins, your losses, and—most importantly—how good the teams you played are. That’s why a team like Maryland can be ranked No. 1 or No. 2 for most of the season based on their "strength of schedule" even if they lose a random game in October.
On the other hand, the Coaches Poll is subjective. It’s based on "vibes" and what coaches see on the pitch. Sometimes, they value a team's history a bit too much. You've seen it: a famous program loses three games but stays in the top 25 while a school like High Point wins ten straight and stays unranked. It’s kind of annoying, right?
The Standout Performers of 2025
You can't talk about rankings without talking about the guys who actually put the ball in the net. Donavan Phillip from NC State was an absolute machine this year. He led the nation with 19 goals. When a guy is scoring at that clip, he forces the poll voters to pay attention to his team.
Then there's Harrison Bertos from Washington. He’s the guy who scored the golden goal in the final. He actually delayed his professional career just to come back for one more season. Talk about a "fairytale ending" that actually happened.
💡 You might also like: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
Mid-Major Disruptors
It wasn't just the big boys. The Southern Conference (SoCon) and the America East were a nightmare for power-five schools this year.
- Furman climbed as high as No. 3 in the final rankings.
- Vermont stayed in the top ten for almost the entire season.
- Hofstra proved that the CAA is no joke by knocking out Syracuse in the first round.
These teams don't get the same TV time, but the men's soccer ncaa rankings reflected their quality by the end of the year. It's refreshing to see the "little guys" actually get their flowers.
A Quick Look at Division II and III
We usually focus on Division I, but DII and DIII had some crazy shifts too. In DII, Midwestern State ended up on top with a 19-3-3 record. They jumped from No. 8 to No. 1 in the final poll.
In Division III, Tufts University finished as the No. 1 team after a massive 20-1-3 season. Trinity (Texas) and St. Olaf were right on their heels. The parity in DIII is actually insane; on any given Saturday, the No. 20 team can easily handle the No. 2 team if they aren't careful.
📖 Related: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
What’s Next for the 2026 Season?
The 2026 rankings will look totally different. Why? Because the MLS SuperDraft just took a huge bite out of these rosters. 25 players from the ACC alone were selected. Washington is losing their core. NC State is losing Phillip.
When the preseason men's soccer ncaa rankings drop later this year, expect to see the usual suspects like Indiana, Clemson, and Georgetown back near the top. They recruit so well that they just "reload" rather than rebuild.
If you're looking to track these teams, keep an eye on the RPI early in the season. It usually comes out in late September. It’s the best way to see which teams are actually legit and which ones are just beating up on weak opponents.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Players
- Track the RPI: Don't just trust the Top 25. Check the NCAA’s official RPI site to see who has the hardest path.
- Watch the SuperDraft: See where your favorite college stars land in the pros; it often dictates how much a team will drop in the next year's rankings.
- Look at the Freshmen: Programs like Stanford and Maryland often have "Best XI" freshmen who can turn a No. 40 team into a No. 5 team in a single month.
- Attend a Game: Nothing beats the atmosphere of a top-ten matchup, especially in the ACC or Big Ten where the quality is basically professional-grade.