UNC Men's Soccer 2026-2027
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This team has been uninspiring for a lot of years now. It sucks because we are an attractive destination and have a strong history, augmented by the women’s legacy. We really should be better than mediocre.
Both men's soccer and lacrosse programs have been under-achieving for years. Inexplicable to me that the coaches haven't been replaced.
Tennis too. Sadly.
Lacrosse has been better the last few years but still.
Don’t think this is a talent issue with men’s soccer either. #1 ranked transfer class.
Yes, it is a shame that the AD will not get rid of these three coaches in our men's sports. It makes you wonder if the brass just do not care about these three men's programs winning.
They’ve all won enough in the past to not get fired.
I think it’s pretty rare for Olympic coaches to get fired unless it’s just a disaster. They’re still making the post season.
Men’s Soccer Receives $250,000 Gift From Tar Heel Alum Laycock
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Athletics and The Rams Club are proud to announce that former men’s soccer student-athlete and team captain Matt Laycock ’01 and Leila Khoury have made a $250,000 gift to the Carolina men's soccer operating endowment. With this gift, Laycock hopes to inspire fellow alumni, friends, and men’s soccer supporters to join him in his philanthropy.
“We are incredibly grateful for Matt’s generous investment in Carolina men’s soccer and, most importantly, in the student-athletes who represent this program,” said Head Coach Carlos Somoano. “We have a proud tradition at Carolina, and gifts like this allow us to build on that tradition and create an even stronger future. Matt’s leadership and commitment mean so much to our current roster and to future Tar Heels. We are deeply appreciative of his support and for his willingness to inspire others to join him in investing in our program.”
Each of Carolina's 28 sports has its own operating endowment and “friends” account. The annual yield from an operating endowment is made available to each head coach to help meet specific needs that are not covered in the regular operating budget. Donations to “friends” accounts provide an immediate increase to coaches’ operating budgets with present-day funds to use at their discretion. Laycock is encouraging fans and supporters to support the program through one of these avenues.
“I’m incredibly excited and honored to make a gift to a program that has meant so much to me,” Laycock said. “Carolina men’s soccer gave me opportunities that shaped my life, and I want to give today’s student-athletes the chance to experience those same opportunities. I hope this gift not only helps strengthen the program but also inspires others to recognize how important it is to invest in and support men’s soccer. We have a special opportunity to build on the program’s momentum, give our student-athletes the resources they need to succeed, and create an experience they will carry with them long after their time on the field.”
Carolina men’s soccer has seen more than 50 All-American selections, two NCAA championships, three ACC championships, and dozens of players drafted to the professional ranks (three in 2026).
The Tar Heels have qualified for the NCAA Championship in 14 of Carlos Somoano’s 15 seasons as head coach. In the 2025-26 season, Carolina advanced to the second round of NCAA tournament competition.
For more information or to make a gift, please contact Connor Weishaar at The Rams Club at 919-455-1488or [email protected]. You can also make a gift to the men’s soccer operating endowment by clicking here, or give to the “friends” account here.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Athletics and The Rams Club are proud to announce that former men’s soccer student-athlete and team captain Matt Laycock ’01 and Leila Khoury have made a $250,000 gift to the Carolina men's soccer operating endowment. With this gift, Laycock hopes to inspire fellow alumni, friends, and men’s soccer supporters to join him in his philanthropy.
“We are incredibly grateful for Matt’s generous investment in Carolina men’s soccer and, most importantly, in the student-athletes who represent this program,” said Head Coach Carlos Somoano. “We have a proud tradition at Carolina, and gifts like this allow us to build on that tradition and create an even stronger future. Matt’s leadership and commitment mean so much to our current roster and to future Tar Heels. We are deeply appreciative of his support and for his willingness to inspire others to join him in investing in our program.”
Each of Carolina's 28 sports has its own operating endowment and “friends” account. The annual yield from an operating endowment is made available to each head coach to help meet specific needs that are not covered in the regular operating budget. Donations to “friends” accounts provide an immediate increase to coaches’ operating budgets with present-day funds to use at their discretion. Laycock is encouraging fans and supporters to support the program through one of these avenues.
“I’m incredibly excited and honored to make a gift to a program that has meant so much to me,” Laycock said. “Carolina men’s soccer gave me opportunities that shaped my life, and I want to give today’s student-athletes the chance to experience those same opportunities. I hope this gift not only helps strengthen the program but also inspires others to recognize how important it is to invest in and support men’s soccer. We have a special opportunity to build on the program’s momentum, give our student-athletes the resources they need to succeed, and create an experience they will carry with them long after their time on the field.”
Carolina men’s soccer has seen more than 50 All-American selections, two NCAA championships, three ACC championships, and dozens of players drafted to the professional ranks (three in 2026).
The Tar Heels have qualified for the NCAA Championship in 14 of Carlos Somoano’s 15 seasons as head coach. In the 2025-26 season, Carolina advanced to the second round of NCAA tournament competition.
For more information or to make a gift, please contact Connor Weishaar at The Rams Club at 919-455-1488or [email protected]. You can also make a gift to the men’s soccer operating endowment by clicking here, or give to the “friends” account here.
Gifts to individual operating endowments like this are what could keep various Olympics sports teams from ever going away. Men's soccer currently pulls in $53K annually from it's sports specific endowment and this will probably raise that another $5K annually; approaching $60K. (1/4 of what the women's soccer team and men's lax pull in, for comparison)
Most scholarships are covered by the scholarship endowment, though that too needs to be bolstered with the new giant increase in allowable scholarships. But fans feel good about paying for scholarships, so that money will be accumulated over time.
That leaves the operating budget: Coaches salaries, travel, recruiting, facilities, gameday operations, etc.. All told, men's soccer earned $1.15 Million last year, roughly half from sources that are not going away such as ticket sales, media rights, advertising, etc... and the other half from donor contributions earmarked for soccer, plus the endowment payout discussed above.
UNC Men's soccer spent $1.94 Million last year, meaning the revenue sports did chip in about $800K to balance the budget. This is the gap that football and basketball only fans complain about as taking away from those sports. If, over time, there are a ton more of these men's soccer endowment gifts, this sport moves closer and closer to forever safe. Assuming 5% payout from the endowment annually, that would be an additional $16 million roughly in Men's Soccer endowment donations.
Of course the other two solutions are to keep it as is, as we have for decades, and not worry all that much about Olympic sports losing money. Or you could reduce expenses below our peers, limiting the team's likelihood of being competitive.
Most scholarships are covered by the scholarship endowment, though that too needs to be bolstered with the new giant increase in allowable scholarships. But fans feel good about paying for scholarships, so that money will be accumulated over time.
That leaves the operating budget: Coaches salaries, travel, recruiting, facilities, gameday operations, etc.. All told, men's soccer earned $1.15 Million last year, roughly half from sources that are not going away such as ticket sales, media rights, advertising, etc... and the other half from donor contributions earmarked for soccer, plus the endowment payout discussed above.
UNC Men's soccer spent $1.94 Million last year, meaning the revenue sports did chip in about $800K to balance the budget. This is the gap that football and basketball only fans complain about as taking away from those sports. If, over time, there are a ton more of these men's soccer endowment gifts, this sport moves closer and closer to forever safe. Assuming 5% payout from the endowment annually, that would be an additional $16 million roughly in Men's Soccer endowment donations.
Of course the other two solutions are to keep it as is, as we have for decades, and not worry all that much about Olympic sports losing money. Or you could reduce expenses below our peers, limiting the team's likelihood of being competitive.
I agree that was an outstanding gift. Now the question is, what will they do with it. Will they use the money to bring in better players. Will they use the money to bring in a better coach? A very tough decision to make. We shall see.
I know this a fantasy. But wouldn't it be nice if all the competitive schools would figure out away to cut or at laest freeze operational expenses.
I honestly "blame" SEC schools-seems like 10-15 years ago they started selecting Non rev sports to just pour football $ into . Jacked up salaries to steal promising coaches
PS I do think Carolina is trying really hard to get endowements built to suport Non REV. I imagine we are a leader in this regard?
Hard to say who’s a leader, but I know the Ram’s Club has been very proactive in at least guaranteeing scholarships.
A lot of this stuff doesn’t come out to the public, but I know UVA wasn’t able to guarantee as many baseball scholarships as UNC a few years ago.
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Of note, I believe UNC was one of the first schools, if not the first, to come out and say they would be fully funding all scholarships up to the updated limits across all sports. My understanding is this is primarily due to RC being proactive years ago creating endowments per sport which have risen greatly in value along with the market. Not sure if that same pot can fund coaches salaries though.
I remember hearing that as well.
As much crap people give Bubba and the admin for not adjusting to NIL (which I think is wildly exaggerated) they don’t give them credit for helping the Ram’s Club be proactive in this regard.
Much easier for many to just complain nonstop unfortunately. The fact UVa couldn’t fund all baseball scholarships and we could is a huge testament to well planned financing.
Right and a key reason to why they lost their baseball coach to the SEC while we were able to retain Forbes when the SEC came calling.
first half we played like storm troopers shoot, second half we played like John Wick shoots.
Joschi is now sitting tied for 8th nationally in goals scored this season.
I think it is correct to say UNC does a great job in figuring this out , planning , getting great donors to step up.We just are not going to give up a bunch of Olympics sports-football first folks need to get over it.
Correct - Olympic sports are the backbone of this university
I would be a little more receptive to complaints about football money going to Olympic Sports if Football expenditures were not so stupid. We could give up Field Hockey and both Soccer programs and Football could use the $ for Home game Hotels, and $1,000 Speciality Helmets all painted pretty for one game.... Get off my lawn etc
I think our top brass needs to reevaluate the programs that have been producing and they should get some of the pie. It does not have to be in the millions. I think $100,000 to those Olympic Sports that are producing would suffice like, women's tennis, cross country and track field, women's Field Hockey, and Women's soccer. These are only five teams. I do not care if you dropped it down to $50, 000 a piece. That is a grand total of $250,000 from the football teams budget. That is much. If the football team is getting around $50 million than taking $250,000 is relatively not that much. The football team is mediocre right now so IMO that should have some money taken away to support those five teams because those five teams are producing every year.
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