Despite losing seven players to Major League Soccer following last season, Akron is still among the top teams this season. Meanwhile, MSU is riding a four-game unbeaten streak of their own, with two wins against Michigan and Western Michigan and ties against Indiana and Bowling Green.

Win or lose the game, head coach Damon Rensing said it will help the Spartans prepare for Big Ten Tournament next weekend in Ann Arbor.

“They’re the defending national champions,” Rensing said. “It’s a huge game, they’re very well-coached, it’ll be a hostile environment. Between that and Michigan, we’ll be ready for the Big Ten Tournament.”