Walnut, Calif. – The Mt. SAC Men's Soccer Team enters the 2025 season with a maturity and depth that few programs in the state can match. Led by Head Coach Juan Sanchez in his 23rd season, the Mounties return a staggering 17 sophomores, including several key players who anchored last year's South Coast Conference championship team.
With a mix of returning talent and bounce-backs from four-year schools, Sanchez sees this group as one that's built not just for skill, but for resilience. "We have a very mature team," he said. "And I think that helps us, especially when things get difficult. The sophomores typically know how to figure things out — and they already showed a little bit of that at the Cal Baptist scrimmage."
The team's preseason trip to Mammoth also played a role in building early chemistry and trust. According to Sanchez, that bonding experience off the field has made a noticeable difference in how the team connects on it.
On the field, the Mounties are loaded with technical players who can possess the ball and create attacking chances — a style that Sanchez believes will translate into more goal-scoring opportunities. "We've got a handful of guys up top that are just sharks — they're always looking to put the ball in the net," he said. Among those players are UCR transfer Alfonso Ramirez, returning All-American Moises Prado, along with Jon Jay Joseph and Christopher Chavez — all of whom have been consistent threats in training and throughout last season.
While the Mounties posted a dominant 14-4-4 record last year and went 6-2-1 in conference play, their season ended in postseason disappointment. For Sanchez, the missing piece wasn't physical — it was mental. "The big thing is the mindset," he said. "We got to that point last year where we couldn't get over that mental block. When you're down in the score, how do you respond? That's what we're focusing on now."
This year's training sessions are built to simulate those pressure moments, aiming to strengthen the group's competitive edge and ability to rally when trailing. "You can see the letdown sometimes in practice — they're down 2-0 in an 8v8, and they think it's game over. Well, no, it's not. You can still tie it up. You can still get back into it."
Leadership will also be key to Mt. SAC's aspirations. Returning captain Nathan Nunez and the steady presence of Edson Mendez — who missed last season due to injury — are expected to set the tone for a focused and driven locker room. "Those two guys know the Mt. SAC way," Sanchez said. "They understand the expectations, and I think the team respects them. They're the link between the coaching staff and the team — and I trust them."
The road ahead is anything but easy. The Mounties open their season on Saturday, August 23 against Phoenix College, a national powerhouse currently ranked in the top two. From there, they'll face Arizona Western, another top-ten program, and welcome elite opponents like West Valley (a 2024 Elite Eight team) and Lake Tahoe to their own tournament. "We're playing some tough opponents," Sanchez acknowledged. "But that's how we get ready for our league. I think we have the toughest conference in the country. In the last twenty years, an SCC team has been in the final four every single year."
With conference powerhouses such as El Camino, Long Beach, and Cerritos in the mix, Sanchez knows every moment will count this season. But for him and his staff, it's exactly the kind of challenge they thrive on. "We're always trying to figure out that puzzle — how to prepare, how to break teams down," he said. "Sometimes you're facing a top-level team. Other times you're trying to strategize against a team that parks 11 players behind the ball. Either way, we love it. That's what keeps us motivated. We just can't wait to get started on Saturday."
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