Springfield Standard

Missouri State University soccer player Alex Matthews has been named to the 2025 Hermann Trophy Watch List, an annual list recognizing the top players in collegiate soccer. Matthews is one of 29 athletes selected for this honor.

Matthews, a junior from Derbyshire, England, is also a team captain and was previously recognized as a United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team member. Earlier this month, he was named a Defender to Watch by United Soccer Coaches and was selected for the 2025 American Preseason All-Conference Team.

The Bears began their 2025 season with a home victory over Seattle, winning 4-1 on August 21. They are scheduled to play against No. 18 Kansas City on August 25 at 7:30 p.m., revisiting last season's NCAA Second Round matchup.

The Hermann Trophy is awarded each year by the Missouri Athletic Club and is considered the highest individual honor in college soccer. The award recognizes the National Player of the Year as chosen by Division I head coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches. It is named after Robert Hermann, founder of the first professional soccer league in the United States and inductee into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.

This year's watch list was created by members of the Division I Men's All-America Council using returning All-Americans and First Team All-Region players from last season. On December 9, fifteen semifinalists will be announced following NCAA Division I All-American voting. From these semifinalists, three finalists will be chosen before naming the winner at a ceremony on January 9, 2026 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.