KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Portland Pilots midfielder Diego Rosas was named to the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Midfielders to Watch list on Friday, becoming the second Pilot to be named to a positional watch list for United Soccer Coaches this preseason.
The list highlights the top midfielders in the nation ahead of the 2026 season. Rosas is one of two Pilots to have made a positional list, with Miguel-Angel Hernandez making the goalkeepers list last week.
Rosas is coming off a season that saw him lead the nation in assists (15) and also break Portland's program record for assists in a season. Rosas had 15 assists along with two goals, with one of his goals coming in the NCAA Tournament second round to help send the match to overtime. Rosas was named the WCC Midfielder of the Year along with earning All-WCC First Team honors, United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team honors and TopDrawerSoccer Bext XI recognition.
Coming off a stellar 2025 campaign, the Pilots enter the 2026 season ranked sixth nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25, their highest preseason ranking in any preseason poll since 1996. Portland will play three exhibition matches and scrimmages, starting with the Purple-White Scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. here at Merlo Field. The scrimmage is free to the public, but no concessions will be provided. They will also play the Seattle U Redhawks and Oregon State Beavers in exhibitions on the road on Aug. 11 and Aug. 14 respectively.
The regular season opens on Friday, Aug. 21 against the California Golden Bears. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Merlo Field. Check PortlandPilots.com for tickets, live stats and video options.
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