Last season, led by head coach Joey Worthen, the Owls men’s soccer team finished 12-4-2 and earned its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. The performance reflected a roster carefully built with purpose and direction, combining talent, adaptability, and a mix of international backgrounds that set the tone for the season.
Worthen, who has led the program since 2017, has been very intentional when recruiting players. “We have a very diverse team. Soccer is an international game with massive popularity.” He added that the staff looks worldwide “to find the best players that we can,” emphasizing that adaptability is just as important as talent.
“Whether they are from Boca, South Florida, the US, or abroad. We’ve got players that fit each of those,” Worthen said, showing how he looks to many places to find the right mix of personalities and playing styles.
That adaptability shows up long before game day. According to Worthen, success depends on how quickly players buy into something bigger than themselves. “The more that you are open, the quicker our team can get onto the same page…which then leads into the winning part,” said Worthen.
Forward Oliver Moller-Jensen, who recorded 1,181 minutes across 18 games with six goals, six assists, and 40 shots, described the cultural dynamic, “Having so many players from different cultures and countries, it is very unique because you get to learn so much more about the world and where people come from.” He also noted that “the goals that we all share are truly something that you don’t find many other places,” a reflection of the unity that drives the group.
Effective teamwork relies on clear communication, especially for players adjusting to English. Moller-Jensen said the staff works early to gauge each player’s comfort level. “We try to make it as easy on everyone as possible,” he said, adding, “It is something we are always working on and helping them develop so they can understand us better.”
Goalkeeper Alfred Mikkelsen believes that the team’s diversity has strengthened its maturity. “The locker room creates so much diversity, and we get to learn about different cultures, and I think that brings a lot of maturity to the team.”
That maturity translates into accountability. Players push one another in training, hold each other to high standards, and celebrate each other’s growth. Worthen explained, “The guys celebrate each other’s individual accomplishments, but ultimately we are not getting any of those if we don’t have a really good team.”
Being such an international team does come with its challenges. Mikkelsen noted, “On the field, it’s difficult when you have different upbringings within soccer, and you have different philosophies, but the coaches do a good job of getting everyone on the same page.”
Worthen agreed, emphasizing the bigger picture, “I want to win, but how we do that is by putting in really high expectations and really high standards in all areas of their lives, that helps to promote a winning culture and them being able to find success.”
For Worthen, building a team is about more than skill; he takes pride in watching players mature and grow into leaders.
“To see these guys mature and to see them take on larger leadership roles within the team–those are the things that are really rewarding and reassuring that we are having a good impact on them,” he said.
The team’s culture of collaboration and commitment shows up in everything the players do, from practice to hanging out off the field. They have learned from each other’s different perspectives, adapted to different lifestyles, and grown close as a team. That mix of discipline, competitiveness, openness, and respect for one another has been a key part of what made this season so successful.
Mikkelsen spoke about that competitive spirit: “I love winning, and we are going to keep that going.” That determination, paired with the Owls’ diversity, chemistry, and mutual respect, not only made this season one to remember but also set a strong foundation for the years ahead.
Ana Sofia Barahona is a Staff Writer for the University Press. Email her at [email protected] or DM her on Instagram @sofia_barahona_new for more information on this and other stories.
