The men’s College Cup final offers both NC State and Washington a chance to win their first national championship, possibly in front of a record crowd. The Huskies return for their second appearance after a 2021 loss, while the Wolfpack are making their debut at this stage. Each team’s distinct playing style sets the stage for a memorable match.

MORE: Washington Path to College Cup | NC State Path to College Cup

Although this is NC State’s first national final, head coach Marc Hubbard brings significant championship experience, having won the NCAA DII title with Southern New Hampshire in 2013. He then spent nine record-setting seasons with NCAA DI New Hampshire before joining the ACC program in 2024. The Wolfpack have quickly turned their fortunes around, ending a 30-year Sweet Sixteen drought last year and a 35-year College Cup absence this season.

Washington head coach Jamie Clark is also highly experienced with the championship stage, having lost three finals in varying roles. He captained Stanford to a final in 1998, served as an assistant for New Mexico’s 2005 finalist team, and led the Huskies to a runner-up finish in 2021. This year’s roster is largely homegrown, with 20 of 29 players from Washington, creating a level of chemistry that might prove crucial when all is said and done.

NC State Strengths 

NC State, playing just 15 minutes from campus, will bring a massive crowd to the final. That was evident in the semi final as the 10,495 fans in attendance was the most for a College Cup game since 2012. This is a significant advantage for a team that has lost only 4 of 27 home games since Hubbard’s arrival. Their physical presence, especially in 50/50 situations and set pieces, further strengthens their position. And having conceded only ten goals all season, the team is confident that a single goal could secure victory. Donavan Phillip, tied for the national lead with 18 goals, is a key player to watch for that decisive moment.

Washington Strengths

Washington’s strength lies in its diverse attacking options. Six players have scored at least four goals, led by striker Charlie Kosakoff, who has scored in three straight games. Much of their threat comes from the wings, where Richard Aman and Alex Hall excel as dribblers and creators, enabling Zach Ramsey to exploit the central zones as an attacking midfielder. Their dynamic attack is supported by the veteran defensive trio of Jadon Bowton, Harrison Bertos, and Egor Akulov, making for the perfect College Cup recipe.

Summary

One tactical clash to watch for is how NC State manages its formation. The Wolfpack prefer a 4-4-2 diamond that concedes space on the wings in exchange for clogging up the center of the field, but that is problematic against a Washington team that generates a ton of its chances out wide in a 4-2-3-1. An over-rotation then allows Ramsey to find pockets in between the lines as a talent who excels in the half spaces. Depending on how the game unfolds, it would not be shocking to see the ACC side embrace a different shape.

While NC State may concede some tactical advantages in open play, they make up for it with their size and effectiveness on set pieces. The Wolfpack have excelled in long throws, corners, and free kicks, while Washington has struggled in these situations, including conceding penalties and second balls. It is vital that the Big Ten program limits set-piece opportunities.

The edge has to go to NC State, which offers the most tactical versatility of the two. If the Wolfpack needs to bunker down defensively and play for set pieces, they can do that just as well as create opportunities from passing combinations. But while that narrows the path to a Washington victory, the Huskies field several quality individual attackers who can create magic at any moment. 

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Commitments: Looking at Loyola Marymount

IMG Academy Player Rankings: Boys 2027

NC State Advances to First College Cup