For Brevyn Cole, an Olathe South alum who’s now a senior starting defender for the nationally ranked UMKC men’s soccer team, the lone remaining regular-season home game on Oct. 25 will be meaningful.

But considering the roll the No. 4 Roos (8-1-2) have been on this season, Cole has a shot at being back on the Durwood Stadium pitch for an NCAA tournament match.

Cole started every match two years ago when the Roos put together their best campaign in program history. They captured a Summit League championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament’s Round of 16.

However, in 2025, Cole missed the entire season while recovering from knee surgery. That experience taught him to soak in his senior season.

“During the national anthem, every time you warm up, you look at the stands, the field, you look at the guys I’m playing next to, it means more,” said Cole who recorded an assist on UMKC’s opening goal in their most recent home victory, Oct. 7, over Tulsa. “I see it differently now and really, really appreciate it more than I ever have.”

Injuries have pressed Cole into key role

While sidelined last year, Cole closely observed the play of right back defender Joackim Betina, a transfer from Florida International who played his final season with the Roos.

“He was amazing,” said Cole. “I think he really elevated the level of that team and I think it was awesome to watch him play.”

While working himself back into top form this season, Cole split minutes with Kevin Nkumu, a junior from Paris, France. But Nkumu has been injured since UMKC’s third match of the season, a loss against San Francisco, and Cole has been pressed into service as the starting right back.

“Obviously, we’re trying to be protective of him because of his knee and his background,” said head coach Ryan Pore, who’s in his seventh season at UMKC. “But the kid will give everything to you, and we’re appreciative of that.”

Nkumu is expected to be back later this month. Until Nkumu returns, Pore said he’s confident in Cole.

“(He’s) one of the best individual defenders in college soccer in my opinion,” said Pore. “You can put anyone on an island with him, and he’s going to shut them down.”

“Get out of your own head!”

But Pore wants Cole to be less hard on himself.

“We tell him all the time, ‘Get out of your own head!’ But he’s a pleaser,” said Pore. “He wants to do the best and to please his coaches and his team.”

Cole believes the team’s depth this year makes UMKC a better squad than a year ago as the postseason approaches.

“Coach talks about it a lot. ‘Just be ready for your number,’” said Cole. “If we need to make a sudden change before the game, it’s not a problem. One guy slides in, he knows the job, and we all do it well.”

One example came in UMKC’s 3-1 victory over Tulsa earlier this month.

Goalkeeper Brandon Kincaid, a graduate student from Shawnee Mission East, was held out for precautionary reasons because of a shoulder issue. Kincaid’s replacement, Marc Powpow, started every match last year.

Cole enjoyed being part of the rewritten history of men’s soccer at UMKC two years ago. Now he’s ready to help the Roos add a new chapter.