The makeover scene in many classic coming-of-age movies follows a familiar script: An outcast falls under the wing of a more popular figure, emerging transformed with newfound confidence, popularity and an opportunity to redefine themselves.
Forty minutes from Hollywood, the Bruins are undergoing a makeover of their own.
UCLA men’s soccer has already generated 33 shots and scored three goals this season, compared to just 40 attempts and two goals across its first five contests a year ago. And, importantly for a team a year removed from a 0-3-2 start, UCLA has already captured a victory – against a ranked Virginia squad in Charlottesville, no less.
But, in classic coming-of-age movie style, a few finishing touches remain.
In Monday’s match against Cal State Bakersfield, the Bruins fired 19 shots and earned nine corner kicks yet found the net just once late to salvage a 1-1 draw.
No. 17 UCLA (1-0-1) will look for its glam to become glamorous on its offensive transformation when it faces Denver (0-1-1) on Friday night at Wallis Annenberg Stadium. The ranking marks the first time the Bruins will enter a regular-season match ranked since 2024.
Much of this makeover has come through a collection of new faces in Westwood. After losing two of his top three leading scorers from a season ago, coach Ryan Jorden turned to experience to reshape his offensive attack, bringing in 13 transfers – including six from international programs – while limiting himself to just four freshmen.
These newcomers wasted little time leaving their mark. UCLA’s first two goals of 2026 both arrived from transfers in their opening season victory against the Cavaliers on Aug. 20, with former UC Davis midfielder Zach Neuls opening up the scoring and former Jacksonville defender Logan Hall delivering the game-winner.
“Obviously, we trust each other, the quality of our players and the quality of our play style,” Neuls said following the win. “So I feel like the trust that our play style will work, and then our trust in our players themselves, really just gives us that certainty that our plan will work.”
Jorden’s reliance on an experienced back three of defenders – senior Tre Wright, fifth-year Victor Ciaurriz and University of Alabama, Birmingham transfer Mathis Richter – has given the team stout defense and opened up attacking opportunities in a variety of ways.
“Our defense is our rock,” Hall said following the Virginia victory. “We really emphasize our defense in training, and we know that defense wins championships.”
Along the wings, Hall, junior defender David de la Vibora and fifth-year forward Finot Pie – all three transfers – have had the opportunity to take one-on-ones and look for dangerous crossing opportunities. And against speedier wingbacks, Jorden has looked for players like senior striker Oliver Roche, fifth-year forwards Cameron Arnold and Sebastian Rincon and sophomore midfielder Ander Marticorena to use their physicality to force scoring opportunities through the center of the pitch.
Although the Bruins can stun in multiple ways, the final look remains a work in progress. Against the Roadrunners, 19 shots, nine corner kicks and countless opportunities left UCLA with just one goal despite spending much of the night knocking on Bakersfield’s door.
“We created a lot of chances,” Jorden said. “I thought our intensity was great, and our work rate was incredible, but we got to be sharper in the final moment.”
Friday may provide a different kind of opportunity for the Bruins to find their form.
Denver arrives in Westwood with an attacking emphasis of its own. The Pioneers netted 38 goals across 22 matches a season ago en route to a 12-win campaign and an NCAA tournament appearance, and much of that production has remained.
At the center of that Pioneer attack is returning forward Kyle McGowan. The striker erupted for 11 goals and three assists in 2025, converting more than 30% of his 36 shots into goals while leading his team with 25 points. Forward Keegan Kelly added five goals and four assists, while forward Bryce Willoughby and midfielder Luke Schultz combined for another seven goals and 10 assists.
With the Bruins already demonstrating an ability to create through crosses from their wingbacks, as well as showing no hesitation to get physical in the midfield, an opponent more willing to push numbers forward could leave UCLA with much more space for individual creativity – an aspect of the season not yet enjoyed against their previous defensively minded opposition so far.
However, pushing forward against Denver also means leaving Wright, Ciaurriz and Richter responsible for containing an offensively minded opposition that finished 20th in RPI last year and looking to continue to punish openings left in the Bruin backline.
“We keep identifying things that we got to continue to grow and get better at,” Jorden said. “For us, it’s just continuing to refine and cover topics so that you get the same team on the same page from a continuity point.”
Two matches into the season, UCLA may have already found its new look. However, Friday will test whether the Bruins can match style with substance against a Denver side willing to attack back in their own way.
For UCLA, if their chances can finally become goals, their makeover may be ready for its Hollywood debut as conference play comes near.
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