Mauricio A. Cruz

I hate to say I told you so, but I will anyway. Earlier this year (September 17 to be exact), I predicted a slew of accolades for the Harvard men’s soccer team.

For 27 years, the Honduran national soccer team played under the shadows of past glory, suffering heartbreaking defeats that have weighed on the nation’s psyche.

Over the last few weeks, teams across the Ivy League have been served hearty portions of humble pie. Not enough, mind you, for regurgitation of the preseason accolades rained down upon the League and its players, but sufficient to make you feel queasy about their postseason prospects. With roughly a month left until the postseason and the Ivy campaign half finished, now is a good time to assess the fortunes (and misfortunes) of the Ancient Eight.

Part 1: Where does college soccer fit in the landscape of American player development? You don’t need me to tell you that soccer is a growing sport in the United States. Its rosy future has been prognosticated ad infinitum for years by sports journalists. You could argue that the sport reached its apex this past summer with the stunning performance of the U.S. Men’s National Team in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Nearly four million viewers tuned in to watch the English-language broadcast of the USA-Brazil final, with countless more watching on Spanish-language TV network Univision.

College soccer is a tricky sport to follow. It defies the laws of the game mandated by FIFA, with its

The beautiful game often cruelly flatters to deceive. In a sport in which even the slightest error becomes terrifically magnified,

All was seemingly lost. After dropping seven straight in league play, the Harvard men’s basketball team was well on its

It was the most difficult schedule the Harvard men’s water polo team had ever encountered. Eight games against nationally ranked

There’s no rest for the weary and no comfort on the road for frequent travelers. The Harvard women’s water polo