The Hoosiers were coming off an unexpectedly early exit from the NCAA Tournament, where they earned an at-large berth and reached the Round of 16, before losing to Virginia Tech on penalty kicks.

[13] In the 2016 Big Ten Conference Men's Soccer Tournament, the Hoosiers reached the semifinals before losing, again on penalties, to Wisconsin.

In the championship game, the Hoosiers faced Wisconsin, the same program that had eliminated them from the previous year's Big Ten Tournament.

Despite failing to win the Big Ten title, Indiana earned an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament, where they were given the number two-overall seed.

This afforded the Hoosiers a first-round bye, where they hosted the winner of the Old Dominion (2017 Conference USA Men's Soccer Tournament champions) vs. NC State (ACC 9th-place finishers) match in the second round.

The Wildcats' Jacob Gould would notch one back in the 76th minute, creating a nervy final quarter hour for the Hoosiers.

The cagey match featured a lone goal from Gutman, who scored off a loose ball in the penalty box off a deflected corner kick.

Notable returnees included Drew Skundrich, Corey Baird and Foster Langsdorf, who had been central pieces of Stanford's team since their 2015 championship.

[16] During the 2016-17 offseason, it was speculated that midfielder Baird would forgo his senior season and sign a homegrown contract with MLS's Real Salt Lake for playing in their academy before college.

Since the foundation of the NCAA Tournament, the venue for the College Cup semifinals and national championship have been played at a predetermined neutral site.

[25] The staff article published by CSN did not favoritism towards either Stanford or Indiana, but instead took pieces of what could give the Cardinal or Hoosiers a national championship.

The prediction included that Stanford's specialty in set pieces and athleticism might not favor the Hoosiers, while the Cardinal also have had experience of playing in the two previous title games.

[26] Predictions, however, that slightly favored Stanford, said that Indiana's Mason Toye,[25] the true freshman with 10 goals on the season,[27] would need to have an impact on the match in order for the Hoosiers to see it through.