The Michigan State Spartans men’s soccer team’s 2021 spring season schedule was released late yesterday afternoon. The usual fall season was postponed due to COVID-19, though the fall numbers of infections across the Big Ten footprint may be raising eyebrows at the wisdom of a now February season start date in hindsight, particularly when combined with the idea of outdoor soccer being played in the middle of February in East Lansing, Michigan. Then combine that with the fact the DeMartin Soccer Stadium on Michigan State’s campus has been completely underwater multiple times over the past few years during spring flooding caused by the Red Cedar River and perhaps an October start date might have been the better goal for the NCAA and Big Ten.
Regardless, the season starts in just under a month now! For a good review of how last season went, be sure to take a look at our recap here. And now let’s take a look at the 2021 schedule.
Get your out! Spartan Soccer is BACK!
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) January 19, 2021
One month from today we will open the 2021 campaign! Details on venues and times to come!#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/06d54B1Kde
You read that right, the Spartans open the conference-only season at home against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. What could possibly go wrong?
Rutgers opening a conference only season at MSU... What could possibly go wrong... pic.twitter.com/QCaQ49xm2n
— Kevin Knight (@SpartyOnHuskers) January 19, 2021
The full schedule for the team includes:
- Rutgers, Feb. 19
- at Michigan, Feb. 23
- at Penn State, Feb. 27
- Ohio State, March 3
- Northwestern, March 11
- at Indiana, March 15
- at Maryland, March 19
- Michigan, March 23
- Wisconsin, March 31
- at Ohio State, April 4
As a reminder, there are nine men’s soccer teams across the Big Ten, and the schedule this year aims to squeeze in 10 games. As a result, MSU is able to schedule a home-and-home with rival Michigan, and will also face Ohio State in a home-and-home while playing the other six teams just once. The final standings last year were:
- Indiana
- Penn State
- Michigan
- Maryland
Northwestern - Michigan State
- Wisconsin
- Rutgers
Ohio State
During the fall semester, eight Spartans from the men’s soccer team achieved Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Congratulations to our 8️⃣ Academic All-Big Ten honorees!! #SmartSpartans https://t.co/Zl7ycliFGh pic.twitter.com/4UeJmXEOai
— MSU Men's Soccer (@MSUmsoccer) December 10, 2020