Here are the NSCAA Men’s NCAA Division I Preseason Top 25 rankings as sanctioned and conducted by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America:
| Rank/Team | 1997 Record |
| 1. UCLA | 22-2-0 |
| 2. Virginia | 19-4-3 |
| 3. Indiana | 23-1-0 |
| 4. Saint Louis | 17-5-3 |
| 5. American | 17-4-4 |
| 6. SMU | 19-3-0 |
| 7. Washington | 15-3-2 |
| 8. South Carolina | 16-3-1 |
| 9. St. John’s | 18-4-2 |
| 10. Creighton | 16-5-1 |
| 11. Maryland | 16-6-1 |
| 12. Clemson | 10-7-3 |
| 13. South Florida | 13-7-2 |
| 14. Duke | 15-5-0 |
| 15. Bowling Green | 18-6-0 |
| 16. Dartmouth | 10-4-4 |
| 17. Florida International | 14-6-1 |
| 18. William & Mary | 14-6-2 |
| 19. Rutgers | 14-7-2 |
| 20. Georgetown | 15-7-0 |
| 21. Stanford | 13-5-2 |
| 22. Boston University | 14-6-2 |
| 23. Southwest Missouri | 13-5-3 |
| 24. Virginia Commonwealth | 15-4-4 |
| 25. UNC Charlotte | 12-7-2 |