Cal Announces 2021 Men’s Soccer Spring Schedule

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BERKELEY – The Pac-12 Conference announced the California men's soccer team's regular-season schedule for this spring, with the Golden Bears playing a 10-match, double round-robin slate against conference opponents.
 
"This is the most exciting spring semester that we've ever had at Cal," said Cal head coach Kevin Grimes. "For the first time in NCAA history, there will be a conference and national champion awarded during this time of year. To have those opportunities right in front of you is just incredible. Obviously, the players and staff are on the edge of our seat to get this thing rolling."
 
Cal will host five Pac-12 games at Witter Rugby Field – the Bears' home for this season – including the season opener against Stanford. The first installment of the Big Clasico, the annual two-game series with the rival Cardinal, is scheduled for Feb. 20, with the Bears' second overall game set for Feb. 27 against Washington in Berkeley. Cal also hosts UCLA on March 20, Oregon State on March 28 and San Diego State on April 10.
 
The Bears' first Pac-12 road game is at Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon, on March 7, followed by a clash at San Diego State on March 13. They play their second game of the Big Clasico on March 24 at Stanford, and Cal plays Washington on April 3 in Seattle. Cal closes its regular season against the Bruins at 5 p.m. on April 17 in Los Angeles.
 
The remainder of the kickoff times and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.
 
All men's soccer competitions will be conducted in accordance with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee health and safety recommendations and guidelines, available at Pac-12.com/health.
 
Additionally, under current health protocols in Berkeley, fans are not allowed to attend Cal Athletics home events.
 
The Bears are coming off of a postseason appearance in 2019, when Cal posted an 8-7-3 record that included a pair of wins over two top-10 opponents (No. 1 Washington and No. 4 Stanford) in the last week of the regular season.
 
Several Bears return from that 2019 squad, including five of the eight who earned All-Pac-12 honors. Those five include forward Tommy Williamson, who was chosen by the San Jose Earthquakes in the recent MLS SuperDraft. Williamson had a breakout year as a junior in 2019, leading Cal with nine goals, three gamewinning goals and 18 points en route to earning All-Pac-12 second-team selection.
 
The 2019 Bears had a typically stingy backline, with three of the four defenders returning in All-Pac-12 second-team choice JJ Foe Nuphaus and All-Pac-12 honorable mentions Christopher Grey and Ian Lonergan. Together with former defender Simon Lekressner and former goalkeeper Drake Callender, Cal allowed just 21 goals in 18 games.
 
Midfielder maestro Francisco Perez, who garnered 2019 All-Pac-12 honorable mention, posted career bests in points (10), assists (6), games played (18) and game started (18) as a sophomore.
 
Forward Alonzo Del Mundo had a strong 2019, tying for first in the Pac-12 with a career-high nine assists, tying for ninth nationally in assists per game (0.50) and tying for 10th nationally in total assists. He also scored a career-best 13 points.
 
Both of Del Mundo's goals were gamewinners that had extra meaning for Grimes. Del Mundo's first gamewinner came in a 2-0 win over San Francisco that gave Grimes his 200th coaching win. His second goal – that capped a 3-2 upset of No. 1 Washington – made Grimes Cal's winningest head coach in men's soccer. Grimes brings 204 career wins into his 21st season as the Bears' boss.
 
The spring season will conclude with the College Cup slated for May 13-17 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
 
2020-21 Cal Men's Soccer Schedule
Saturday, Feb 20: Stanford, Time TBA
Saturday, Feb. 27: Washington, Time TBA
Sunday, March 7: at Oregon State, Time TBA
Saturday, March 13: at San Diego State, Time TBA
Saturday, March 20: UCLA, Time TBA
Wednesday, March 24: at Stanford, Time TBA
Sunday, March 28: Oregon State, Time TBA
Saturday, April 3: at Washington, Time TBA
Saturday, April 10: San Diego State, Time TBA
Saturday, April 17: at UCLA, 5 p.m.
 
*Home games in bold at Witter Rugby Field; home games are closed to the public.