EAST LANSING – Michigan State men’s soccer returns home tomorrow night to take on UCLA after completing a two-game road trip. The Spartans look to get back on track after falling to Wisconsin 2-0 on Friday. 

In 2024, these squads played in Westwood and MSU was able to hold off the Bruins, with a 1-0 win. This was the first ever meeting between the two schools. 

UCLA is coming off of a 3-0 loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor. In their last five outings, the Bruins are 1-3-1 with their lone win against Penn State. 

With only four more games left in the regular season, Michigan State currently stands at No. 7 in the Big Ten. They’ll need junior midfielder Miles Merritt to have a big game to rise in the standings. 

Merritt is currently tied for a team high in points with eight, and goals with three. Merritt is going to need to be aggressive and hunt for goals against a vulnerable UCLA defense that allowed three goals in their last match. 

Standout freshman midfielder Peter Soudan is another key for the Spartans in this match, as he is tied with Merritt for goals, assists, and points. Soudan has played his best in the big moments, including a game-winning goal against then, No. 3 Indiana. Soudan is due for a big performance, after creating multiple scoring chances in the last few games for Michigan State. 

If the Bruins want to get their first win over the Spartans, they will need help from redshirt sophomore forward Sergi Solans Ormo. According to UCLA head coach Ryan Jorden, Ormo has a relentless desire to score goals and plays a key role in the Bruins’ attack. Ormo currently leads UCLA in scoring, with four goals this season. 

MSU hopes to get their first home win since Sept. 23rd, and the Bruins look for their first road win of the season. 

The Spartans stand at 5-6-1 and would tie UCLA in the Big Ten standings with a win. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 20th at DeMartin Stadium, and will air on the Big Ten Network.