EDISON, NJ The Metro Conference announced its 2026 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll and Preseason All-Metro Team on Thursday morning. Senior
Jaime Roman Jr. and sophomore
Andres Becerra of the Iona University men's soccer program garnered preseason All-Metro selections, while the team was tabbed to finish third by the league's coaches.
Roman Jr. enters his second season as captain for the Maroon & Gold in 2026. He is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he started 15 games at wing back for Iona and earned second-team All-Conference honors. Roman Jr. registered a career-high four assists in 2025, ranking third on the team. He helped the Iona defense secure six shutouts as a member of the back line.
Becerra put together a strong rookie campaign for the Gaels a season ago, garnering second-team All-Conference honors. He made 15 starts at wing back for Iona, helping the defensive unit to six shutouts on the season.
The two preseason All-Metro honorees are joined by pair of returning All-Conference third team performers in senior midfielder
Calle Sjoberg and sophomore forward
Enbiya Bolur to headline the 13 returnees for the Gaels. Iona welcomes 18 newcomers to New Rochelle for the 2026 campaign.
The 2025 conference regular-season champion, Sacred Heart (156 points), claimed the top spot in the preseason poll with seven first-place votes. Defending league champion Siena (151 points) was picked second with four first-place votes. Iona (143 points) was selected third, followed by Fairfield (135 points). Marist and Quinnipiac tied for fifth with 109 points apiece.
2026 METRO CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER Preseason Coaches' Poll
| PLACE |
TEAM |
VOTES (First Place) |
| 1. |
Sacred Heart |
156 (7) |
| 2. |
Siena |
151 (4) |
| 3. |
Iona |
143 (1) |
| 4. |
Fairfield |
135 (1) |
| T5. |
Marist |
109 |
| T5. |
Quinnipiac |
109 |
| 7. |
Niagara |
84 |
| 8. |
Manhattan |
63 |
| 9. |
Mount St. Mary's |
58 |
| 10. |
Saint Peter's |
54 |
| 11. |
Merrimack |
47 |
| 12. |
Canisius |
37 |
| 13. |
Rider |
36 |
2026 Preseason All-METRO Team
| PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
SCHOOL |
| Ivan Morcillo |
Forward |
Jr. |
Sacred Heart |
| Sean Albritton |
Forward |
So. |
Fairfield |
| Adriano Iannello |
Forward |
So. |
Marist |
| Alex Vaz |
Midfield |
So. |
Fairfield |
| Lucas Almeida |
Midfield |
Sr. |
Siena |
| Danny Istambouli |
Midfield |
Sr. |
Sacred Heart |
| Gijs Verheul |
Midfield |
Jr. |
Marist |
| Daniel Losfablos |
Defense |
Gr. |
Sacred Heart |
| Jaime Roman Jr. |
Defense |
Sr. |
Iona |
| Andres Becerra |
Defense |
So. |
Iona |
| Bennet Glinder |
Goalkeeper |
Jr. |
Siena |
UP NEXT
The Gaels kick off the 2026 season on Thursday, August 20 on the road with a 7 p.m. matchup at Monmouth.
