SAN DIEGO – Following a five-match homestand, San Diego men's soccer will face its first road test outside of the 619 area code when they travel to UC Irvine for a Friday evening contest at Anteater Stadium.
 
USD, holding its best six-match start in 13 years, is coming off a split weekend at home, beating UC Davis 1-0 last Friday but falling to Sacramento State two days later, 2-1. The Toreros, who are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25, are one of the top goal-scoring teams in the WCC so far and have held their opponents scoreless in four of the six games.
 
UC Irvine enters the weekend riding a 2-1 overtime victory on the road at Utah Valley. The Anteaters, despite their losing 2-3-1 record, have won their last two games, both on the road. All three of their losses are against teams ranked No. 11 or higher.
 
Here is this week's Starting XI preview:
 
I - GAME INFO
at UC Irvine (2-3-1)
Friday, September 20 | 7 p.m.
Anteater Stadium (2,500)
 
II - HOW TO WATCH
No livestream is available
 
III - HOW TO FOLLOW
Live stats are available at www.usdtoreros.com
 
IV - SERIES HISTORY
USD is 0-4-2 all-time against UC Irvine, but the two sides have tied in their last two meetings. Last season, the result was a 0-0 tie in San Diego (August 24). The last matchup in Irvine was on September 21, 2014 when the Anteaters won 1-0.
 
V – BERRY
Miguel Berry has scored a goal in each of the last three games, giving him four over that stretch. It is the first time the senior has had a goal in three straight games since October 7-14, 2018.
 
VI – MORE BERRY
Miguel Berry's six goals so far this season are the most on the team and second in the WCC. The Poway, California product has scored at least five goals in each season of his career and is now three away from tying his career-high of eight last set in 2018. He is currently tied for sixth all-time in USD history with 27 career goals.
 
CAREER GOALS – USD HISTORY
1. Guillermo Jara (1992-95) – 51
2. Ryan Coiner (1999-02) – 49
3. Patrick Wallen (2009-12) –30
4. Doug Barry (1991-94) – 29
5. Leighton O'Brien (1995-98) – 28
6. Miguel Berry (2016-Current) & Chugger Adair (1990-92) – 27
 
VII – CLEAN SHEETS
Goalkeeper Matt Wiher has recorded a shutout in four of the six matches this season, giving him eight in his career. The redshirt sophomore is currently 10th in USD history in career shutouts and is one away from tying Joe Panian (1994-97) for ninth. Meanwhile, his four shutouts are the most in the WCC and
 
VIII – HOT START
Despite Sunday's loss snapping USD's undefeated beginning to the season, the 5-1 start for the Toreros is still their best since 2006 when they started out 5-1 through the first six games (7-1 through the first 8 games). USD has opened a season 5-1 five times in the last 20 years.
 
IX – OUTSTANDING DOZEN
USD's 12 goals this season enter the week the second most in the WCC and 14th most in the country. Last season, the Toreros did not have 12 goals until their 17th game of the season and finished the year with 16.
 
X – AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Miguel Berry is among the nation's leaders in total points (5th, 15); total goals (5th, 6); points per game (7th, 2.5); goals per game (8th, 1.0); and game-winning goals (3rd, 3).
 
XI – UP NEXT
Staying on the road in southern California, the Toreros travel next to UC Riverside (5-1) for a 7 p.m. match on Friday, September 27.