Marshalltown Community College will yet again have a highly competitive Men's Soccer team in 2017. Preseason polls have the Men's Soccer team ranked 10th in the nation. Iowa Western is currently ranked 3rd topping the list for the conference followed by Marshalltown Community College at 10th and Iowa Lakes Community College are receiving votes. With high expectations coming off the 2016 season, the Tigers plan to continue its winning ways in 2017. Last season the Tigers finished 15-4-1 and 12-3-1 in ICCAC competition. The Tigers finished second in the conference just behind the Reivers of Iowa Western.
Coach Rafael Martinez enters his 8th season as Head Coach for the Tigers. Chris Fuchsen and Creighton Jenness will continue to assist Martinez this season while the Tigers have added Alex Vajgrt to the staff, Vajgrt will serve as the team's strength and conditioning coach.
The Tigers come into 2017 missing two-time All American goalkeeper Rafael Pereira and a handful of quality defenders from last year. When asked about replacing the former stars coach Martinez stated, "I think it's all about the players and who is willing to step up to fill those spots that have been left available. We have lost key members from last year, but it is the same every year. We feel very good about the new players that have joined our program and have already seen a huge improvement in our returners, especially in attitude, so we are confident we have the pieces to be successful, as long as everyone works hard and works as a team."
A bright spot for the Tigers this year will be Forward Kino Ryosuke. Last season Ryosuke lead the Tigers with 18 goals while playing in 18 games. This past summer Ryosuke played for FC Boulder where he scored 10 goals and recorded over 1,000 minutes of playing time.
Although there is considerable talent on the roster this year, the coaching staff has a different vision of the team, "We hope that, instead of focusing on individual players, people look at MCC and see a cohesive team that stays strong together. We certainly have individual talent, Kino Ryosuke is expected by many to be a key contributor, but what we are seeing is a commitment to the team by everyone. This is what will make the difference in the end. Individual talent can win games, but teams win championships and that is our objective."
When asked about the starting lineup Martinez commented, "Each player on the roster has the opportunity to start. Everyone is working out well and our starting lineup will change from one game to the next. I truly believe this team will be a special one." With high expectations, this team will be fun to watch this season.
Conference play will begin at NIACC on September 9, followed by a September 16 contest at home verse Iowa Central. The team will travel to Scott on September 20th and will travel again to Iowa Lakes Community College on September 23rd. The team will finish off September at home verse Hawkeye Community College on September 30. In October, the Tigers will travel to Dakota County on the 7th and then host Indian Hills on the 11th. On October 14, the Tigers will host Northeast Community College and finish conference play at Iowa Western on October 21.
