Creighton University Athletics
Photo by: Glen Sisk
Bluejay Matthew Reed Named Defender to Watch by United Soccer Coaches
8/3/2026 9:53:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Omaha, Neb. -- Creighton senior defender Matthew Reed was one of 20 defenders named as a Player to Watch by United Soccer Coaches on Monday, Aug. 3.Â
An All-East Region First Team selection by United Soccer Coaches, Reed closed the 2025 season with three goals and four assists. His leadership along the backline helped the Bluejays deliver seven shutouts and limit opponents to one goal or less in 12 contests last year. An All-BIG EAST Second Team pick, Reed appeared in 15 matches, logging a combined 1,048 minutes on the pitch in 2025.
"Entering the 2026 season, these previous honorees represent some of the best at their positions," said Chris Przemieniecki, Senior College All-America Administrator. "As pre-season training opens, we are pleased to recognize these outstanding student-athletes from our member schools. I would like to thank Jennifer Rockwood, DI Women's All-America Chair, Ryan Hopkins, DI Men's All-America Chair, and their respective committees for their efforts in compiling these lists."
The lists are compiled and released by the Division I All-America Committees to promote college soccer leading up to the official start date for the regular season later this month. The lists include United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and All-Region players from 2025 who are scheduled to return for the 2026 season.
The schedule for all position announcements:
July 31--Goalkeepers
August 3 – Defenders
August 7 – Midfielders
August 10 – Forwards
These positional announcements also lead up to the 2026 watch lists for the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy on the official start date for regular season games on August 13 (women) and August 20 (men). The MAC Hermann Trophy is presented annually to the Division I National Players of the Year as voted by Division I College Coaches at the end of the regular season. The 2026 recipients will be announced on January 8, 2027, in St. Louis, Mo.
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An All-East Region First Team selection by United Soccer Coaches, Reed closed the 2025 season with three goals and four assists. His leadership along the backline helped the Bluejays deliver seven shutouts and limit opponents to one goal or less in 12 contests last year. An All-BIG EAST Second Team pick, Reed appeared in 15 matches, logging a combined 1,048 minutes on the pitch in 2025.
"Entering the 2026 season, these previous honorees represent some of the best at their positions," said Chris Przemieniecki, Senior College All-America Administrator. "As pre-season training opens, we are pleased to recognize these outstanding student-athletes from our member schools. I would like to thank Jennifer Rockwood, DI Women's All-America Chair, Ryan Hopkins, DI Men's All-America Chair, and their respective committees for their efforts in compiling these lists."
The lists are compiled and released by the Division I All-America Committees to promote college soccer leading up to the official start date for the regular season later this month. The lists include United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and All-Region players from 2025 who are scheduled to return for the 2026 season.
The schedule for all position announcements:
July 31--Goalkeepers
August 3 – Defenders
August 7 – Midfielders
August 10 – Forwards
These positional announcements also lead up to the 2026 watch lists for the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy on the official start date for regular season games on August 13 (women) and August 20 (men). The MAC Hermann Trophy is presented annually to the Division I National Players of the Year as voted by Division I College Coaches at the end of the regular season. The 2026 recipients will be announced on January 8, 2027, in St. Louis, Mo.
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2026 NCAA Division I Men's Players to Watch – Defenders
| Name | Class | School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Adams | Jr. | Saint Louis | McKinney, Texas |
| Harrison Bertos | Sr. | Washington | Bedford, Mass. |
| Nick Collins | Sr. | Rutgers | Mount Olive, N.J. |
| Kelly Cooper | Sr. | Army | Atlanta, Ga. |
| Connor Dawson | Jr. | Penn | O'Fallon, Ill. |
| Braden Dunham | So. | Furman | Peachtree City, Ga. |
| Matthew Fisher | Sr. | Michigan | Rochester, Mich. |
| Takahiro Fujita | Sr. | Central Florida | Kawai, Japan |
| Noah Holmstron | Jr. | SMU | Aalborg, Denmark |
| Ellis Jone | Sr. | Wisconsin | Wednesbury, England |
| Charlie Kitch | Sr. | Rutgers | Medford, N.J. |
| William Lawson | Jr. | Cal Baptist | Paris, France |
| Nick Lockerman | Jr. | North Carolina | Nuremburg, Germany |
| Josh Maher | Sr. | Indiana | Caseyville, Ill. |
| Calle Mollerberg | Sr. | UC Santa Barbara | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Parker Owens | Sr. | Cal Poly | Southlake, Texas |
| Matthew Reed | Sr. | Creighton | Felton, Del. |
| Brady Treinen | Sr. | UC Irvine | Tustin, Calif. |
| Roka Tsunehara | Jr. | Princeton | Burlingame, Calif. |
| Martin Wurschmidt | Jr. | Ohio State | Stavern, Norway |
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerWednesday, November 05
Sunday, November 02
Wednesday, October 29
Saturday, October 25
