2025 Soccer Preseason Preview

With the boys soccer season quickly approaching, let’s take a look at some of 2024’s most successful teams. Of course, there is talent on every roster, but for the sake of time, we will highlight the Metro League’s five highest-performing teams from the 2024 season as we preview the 2025 campaign. Every team experienced pivotal moments that led to playoff qualifications for some while demonstrating high-level competitive capabilities for others. 

During the 2023-24 season Bishop Blanchet (14-3-1), Eastside Catholic (12-2-6), Lincoln (13-3-4), and Lakeside (8-5-3) displayed outstanding performances that demonstrated their talent and resilience. Despite finishing the regular season 6th in the Metro League with a 6-3-5 record (10-4-5 overall), the Seattle Prep Panthers won Metro after marching past Garfield, Lincoln, and in the championship, Ballard.

These five teams will compete once more for the league’s top position as returning star players team up with promising newcomers in Washington’s highly competitive high school soccer scene. 

Will Blanchet maintain their reign? Will Eastside Catholic be able to transform their regular-season achievements into playoff wins? Will Lincoln and Lakeside advance their position to become championship contenders? Can Prep start the 2025 season on the high note that ended the 2024 one?

New developments will appear throughout the season as it advances while preparing for another exciting Metro 3A soccer narrative.

1. Bishop Blanchet

• League Record: 12 Wins – 1 Loss – 1 Tie 
• Overall Record: 14 Wins – 3 Losses – 1 Tie
• Goals Scored (GS): 3.2 per game
• Goals Against (GA): 0.5 per game

Player to Watch:

• Forward: Max Ames (link)

Bishop Blanchet tallied an impressive 12-1-1 record in conference play last year, before falling to Lincoln 0-1 in the Metro League quarterfinals. Because of that, the Bears missed out on the 3A state tournament, despite their dominance in conference play last year. While the Metro Sound is much more “top heavy,” the Bears enjoyed a prolific offense, bagging 3.2 goals per game while only conceding 0.5 goals per game. The Bears will have to replace, among others, Makana Brouns-Prince, who was crucial in controlling the midfield for Blanchet last season.

2. Eastside Catholic

• League Record: 11 Wins – 1 Loss – 3 Ties (35 Points)
• Overall Record: 12 Wins – 2 Losses – 6 Ties
• Goals Scored (GS): 2.8 per game
• Goals Against (GA): 0.7 per game

Player to Watch:

• Defender: Eddie Davis (Class of 2025) – Honorable Mention, Defense, Sound Division

Eastside Catholic moved up significantly during the 2023-24 Metro 3A season by progressing from 5th place in 2022-23 to finish in 2nd place with a playoff berth. Eastside Catholic maintained an undefeated streak through eight games during their early-season dominance until Davis’s season-ending injury against Bishop Blanchet became their turning point. The team suffered greatly from Eddy’s absence because his leadership abilities and defensive skills were essential to EC’s victories. Eastside Catholic entered the postseason after finishing strong but their lack of experience became apparent when they experienced an early postseason defeat against Roosevelt who finished second to last in the Metro Mountain division with a 2-7-5 record. Eastside Catholic’s loss demonstrated that even with substantial progress during the regular season their playoff success still demands additional elements. The team enters the 2024-25 season with the goal of building from their previous progress to show they can succeed in critical moments.

3. Lincoln High School (Seattle)

• League Record: 9 Wins, 0 Losses, 4 Ties
• Overall Record: 13 Wins, 3 Losses, 4 Ties
• Goals Scored (GS): 1.9 per game
• Goals Against: 0.5 per game

Player to Watch:

• Forward: Finnian Luebbe (Class of 2025) – 1st Team, Forward, All Metro

Lincoln displayed exceptional resilience and demonstrated their competitive edge against top teams. The team’s midfield control was central to their success as it set the game tempo through accurate passing and smart tactical plays. The team demonstrated superior control through possession retention while effectively penetrating defensive formations to generate offensive chances for their attackers.

In the tougher Metro Mountain division, Lincoln sported the best +/- goal ratio out of all 2024 teams — averaging 1.9 goals per game, while only conceding 0.5 — good for a 1.4+/- goal ratio. The next best ratio in the Metro Mountain below Lincoln belongs to the Lakeside Lions with 0.9+/-.

4. Lakeside School (Seattle)

• League Record: 8 Wins, 3 Losses, 3 Ties
• Overall Record: 8 Wins, 5 Losses, 3 Ties
• Goals Scored: 1.9 per game
• Goals Against: 1.0 per game

Player to Watch:

• Forward: Adam Walker

The comprehensive approach of Lakeside kept them as a strong adversary during the 2023-24 Metro 3A season. The team’s balanced execution in offense and defense helped them remain competitive against leading teams while sustaining their league presence. Coach Mark Szabo will have the tough task of replacing All Metro First Teamers Joe Cooper ’24 and Thiago Ausland ’24 this season. The team achieved a solid goal-scoring rate averaging 1.9 goals per match and demonstrated defensive stability by allowing just 1.0 goals per game. The Lions closed out last season with four consecutive wins over Chief Sealth, Ballard, Seattle Prep, and O’Dea. Especially notable was the 4-0 win over eventual-Metro-champions Seattle Prep and the follow-up 2-1 win over perennial contenders O’Dea.

5. Seattle Prep

• League Record: 6 Wins, 3 Losses, 5 Ties
• Overall Record: 10 Wins, 4 Losses, 5 Ties

Player to Watch: Kimani Hopps

Seattle Prep finished the league with a 6-3-5 record which was not enough to surpass teams like Lincoln (Seattle) and Lakeside. The team finished their regular season as competitive but not dominant with only a +0.4 goal differential. The team demonstrated resilience by performing well in critical moments and ultimately won the Metro Championship. Teams that deliver exceptional performances during important games demonstrate their strong ability to handle pressure and secure victories which shows their playoff success is not always determined by their regular-season performance.