Green Bay, WI – The Horizon League announced its 2026 Under Armour preseason poll on Monday, placing the Green Bay Phoenix men’s soccer team in the No. 2 spot. Coaches from across the league awarded the Phoenix 95 points, trailing only Cleveland State, which earned 111 points.
Poll details and league standings
The full poll ranking is as follows:
- 1. Cleveland State – 111 points
- 2. Green Bay – 95 points
- 3. NIU – 92 points
- 4. Purdue Fort Wayne – 89 points
- 5. Oakland – 71 points
- 6. Milwaukee – 69 points
- 7. RMU – 64 points
- 8. IU Indianapolis – 38 points
- 9. Detroit Mercy – 37 points
- 10. Northern Kentucky – 33 points
- 11. Wright State – 27 points
Green Bay finished third in the 2025 Horizon League standings, just two points behind league champion Cleveland State. The Phoenix fell in the 2025 semifinals to Purdue Fort Wayne, losing in a penalty‑kick shootout, 4‑3.
Coach John O’Reilly’s tenure
Entering his third season, head coach John O’Reilly has guided the Phoenix to consistent top‑four finishes since taking the helm before the 2024 campaign. Under his leadership, the program has not slipped outside the league’s upper tier, signaling stability and growth for the team and its supporters.
Season kickoff
The Phoenix open their 2026 schedule at home on Thursday, August 20, when they host Loyola Chicago at 6 p.m. The match will be the first test of the squad’s preparation and a chance for the team to translate preseason expectations into on‑field results.
Local fans and alumni are encouraged to attend the opening game at the Phoenix Soccer Complex, supporting the team as they aim to improve on last season’s finish and challenge for the league title.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
