NEW YORK — After beginning the season with two matches in Omaha, the Columbia men's soccer team (0-1-1) is set for its 2019 home debut on Friday when it welcomes Army (1-1-0) to Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Fans who can't attend Friday's home opener can watch the action live on ESPN+. Live stats will be provided by GoColumbiaLions.com. Fans can also keep up with the match on Twitter by following @ColumbiaMSoccer.
 
 
5 THINGS TO KNOW
 
1. HOME-OPENING STREAK
Columbia has won each of its last six home openers, outscoring opponents by a combined 11-1 over that span. In fact, the Lions have not surrendered a goal in their home opener since defeating Iona, 2-1, in 2013. The streak includes a 3-0 win over Michigan in 2014 and five straight shutouts since. Last season, Columbia defeated Binghamton in the first game at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium, 3-0, on a hat trick by Kynan Rocks '19CC.
 
2. GOAL-BEYI
Sebastian Gunbeyi has netted each of Columbia's first two goals this season, scoring in the 79th minute of a 1-1 draw at Omaha and in the 77th minute of Monday's 3-1 loss at Creighton. In doing so, Gunbeyi is the first Lion since Francisco Agrest '19CC to score in each of the first two games of the season. Agrest accomplished the feat in 2014, scoring a goal in a season-opening 3-0 win over Michigan and following it up with a brace in an overtime defeat, 3-2, against Marist. Gunbeyi scored once in 13 appearances as a first year.
 
3. TOP 10 REGIONALLY
The Lions enter Friday's contest ranked No. 9 in the United Soccer Coaches Northeast Region poll – the second week of the poll was released on Tuesday. Columbia debuted at No. 8 before traveling to the Midwest, where it drew Omaha, 1-1, and fell to Creighton, 3-1. The Blue Jays are ranked No. 8 in the East Region poll and are receiving 17 votes in the latest national poll.
 
4. TALLYING UP OPENING WEEKEND
- Sebastian Gunbeyi scored his second and third career goals over the first two matches.
- Andrew Stevens recorded his first collegiate assist in the draw at Omaha.
- Blake Willis notched his sixth career assist at Creighton and has assisted at least one goal in each of his first three seasons.
 
5. 10-MAN STRONGHOLD
Columbia went down to 10 men in the 99th minute of last Friday's season opener at Omaha when first-year goalkeeper Michael Collodi raced off his line in an effort to win a ball that slipped in behind the back four. The referee deemed Collodi to have committed a handball outside of the box, showing him a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Senior Eric Chang came on to replace Collodi between the posts and made three saves to help the Lions hang on for the draw. Collodi made six saves in the match and will be eligible to return on Friday after sitting out his red card suspension against Creighton.
 
THE MATCHUP
 
Friday will mark the 19th meeting between Columbia and Army in a series that began in 1959. The Lions are 9-7-2 against the Cadets all-time, including a five-match winning streak from 1999-2004. Since 1976, Columbia is 9-2-2 against Army, outscoring the Cadets by a margin of 22-10.
 
Army enters the matchup 1-1 overall after falling by a goal to nationally ranked Air Force, 2-1, and defeating Siena College in overtime by the same score. Friday's contest will mark exactly a week since Army last played – a game scheduled for Monday against Central Connecticut State was cancelled. Oscar Pereira is the reigning Patriot League Midfielder of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal with just 20 seconds left in overtime against the Saints.

-- 
 
For the latest on the Columbia men's soccer program, follow @ColumbiaMSoccer on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaMensSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.