Third-Ranked Recruiting Class!
Date Posted: 2/27/2018
PORTLAND, Ore. --- For the third straight year, Portland men's soccer head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt and his staff have brought in a nationally ranked recruiting class, this time signing the No. 3 group in the country, according to Top Drawer Soccer. The class, which includes five recruits who are ranked nationally in the top 100 players in the country, is comprised of seven student-athletes from across the country that will come to The Bluff and help continue the recent success of the men's soccer program.
"I'm very excited about this 2018 recruiting class as we have worked diligently to attract talented student-athletes from around the country," Carlin-Voigt said. "We have added young men with great character, elite soccer pedigrees and a very strong commitment to academic excellence that will fit well into our institutional mission. We took a long approach with the class, as these guys truly value both their education and soccer experience. Not only were the majority of these players leaders on their club teams or selected to represent their national teams, but what makes us most proud is that many of them were awarded the Presidential Academic scholarship based on their outstanding scholastic work."
The Pilots will be adding seven freshmen to the roster as Jake Arteaga (Glendora, Calif./Connections Academy), Kelee Cornfield-Saunders (San Marcos, Calif./Connections Academy), Georges El-Khoury (Sharon, Mass./Sharon HS), Alejandro J. Pereira (Oviedo, Fla./Orlando City Academy), R.J. Stretch (Spokane, Wash./Central Valley HS), Greg Tracey (Denver, Colo./Pomona HS), and Tristan Weber (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente HS) have all committed to the program.
Additionally, transfers Brian O'Hara (Corona, Calif./Connections Academy/California) and Francesco Tiozzo (Chioggia, Italy/Upper Secondary Chioggia/Winthrop) have also joined the program and have already been training with the Pilots.
"What makes this class so impressive is that all of these players will fit into our team-first mindset driven from the values we teach daily," continued Carlin-Voigt. "I know our fans and supporters around the community will be excited to watch these new Pilots develop at Merlo Field. While the rankings are a positive reflection of our work, I always remind everyone the class will be take time to fully develop in order to reach their full potential. Important experienced players graduated the past two years moving onto the professional ranks so we knew we needed to bring in a strong class for the long-term development of the program. Our returning guys are very excited for our spring season so we can continue to build on the success from our past two successful seasons. Lastly, I want to commend our entire coaching staff and support staff in the department for all of their help in putting together this special class."
Jake Arteaga
6-2, D/MF
Glendora, Calif./Connections Academy
Club: L.A. Galaxy Academy
National Ranking: 9th (College Soccer News); 14th (Top Drawer Soccer)
Regional Ranking: 4th (Southern California)
Jake Arteaga has been with the L.A. Galaxy Academy since 2014, and he's seen some time with the L.A. Galaxy II. The No. 9 recruit in the country, Arteaga has been a regular in the U.S. Men's National Team system since 2014. He was the team captain for the U.S. game against Costa Rica, and he's competed in several international tournaments. With the Galaxy Academy Team, Arteaga has twice been the U.S. Academy National Championship runners-up. He also won a national championship with his club team in 2012, he played with the ODP, and he was named a United Soccer Coaches Youth All-American.
Arteaga on Portland: "There were three main reasons I committed to Portland. First was the opportunity to play for a coaching staff that believed in me and will be able to help take me to the next level. Secondly, the culture of the school is strong and checked off all the boxes to help me become a better person and player. The final reason is the soccer-first mindset of the school with the fans, the facilities, and Portland is a city I enjoy. Also the passion of the fans behind the teams is second to none."
Carlin-Voigt on Arteaga: "Jake is a player I immediately wanted to bring to Portland as I appreciated his technical ability and calmness on the ball. He comes from a winning pedigree having trained in the Galaxy Academy system while having opportunities to train and play with our U17 youth national team which was one of the best groups ever in our country. While with the Galaxy, Jake played important professional games for LA Galaxy 2 and most recently experienced preseason training with the LA Galaxy first team. We think he can play as a deep laying defensive midfielder or center back as he breaks lines with his passing. As Jake continues to develop physically which will be very important and of course mentally, we can help him develop his full potential after four years in our program. Most importantly, Jake is a wonderful person with great values."
Kelee Cornfield-Saunders
5-10, D
San Marcos, Calif./Connections Academy
Club: La Galaxy Academy
National Ranking: 57th (Top Drawer Soccer)
Regional Ranking: 13th (Southern California)
Kelee Cornfield-Saunders has played for the L.A. Galaxy Academy since 2015 after previously playing with the Chivas USA Academy. Along with teammate and fellow Portland recruit Jake Arteaga, Cornfield-Saunders and the Galaxy twice finished second at the U.S. Academy National Championship, and the club also finished second at the 2016 LIGA MX International Tournament. A defender ranked as the No. 57 recruit nationally, Cornfield-Saunders has played with the U.S. National Teams since 2014. He was with Cal South ODP (2012-14) and he was an iD2 National Selection.
Cornfield-Saunders on Portland: "I was inspired to become a Pilot thanks to the passion and dedication they have to their creed. I am aspiring to become a future soccer professional and I believe that UP will assist me in that dream."
Carlin-Voigt on Cornfield-Saunders: "Kelee is a very good defender who loves to be coached and pushed. He has solid experience at all levels of youth soccer and has played international games against some of the best teams in the world. We think he's going to have a great career on the bluff and will help us with our overall team defensive mentality as he has a great engine to able to go box to box as a left back. He's also versatile to be able to slot in as a left center back. Kelee is another elite student in the class and we are excited to help mentor him to reach his full potential."
Georges El-Khoury
6-0, GK
Sharon, Mass./Sharon HS
Club: Seacoast United Academy
Georges El-Khoury is a goalkeeper and a team captain who has played for the Seacoast United Academy since 2016. Seacoast United is the only Club in northern New England affiliated with the US Soccer Development Academy program. El-Khoury was previously with the FC Bolts Academy, and he has been invited to multiple National Training Center Sessions.
El-Khoury on Portland: "What I really liked about Portland is the soccer culture. It's massive. When I got there, you see the fields and the environment behind it all. The coaching staff, I went to an ID camp there, and they made me feel like I was wanted on their team. They don't have a football team there so the students come out to watch you play. They had the NCAA attendance record for 10 years straight and all those factors made it easier to see myself getting better, and then maybe playing after school."
Carlin-Voigt on El-Khoury: "Georges El-Khoury is a good shot stopper with excellent distribution who comes to the bluff from the Seacoast Academy in New Hampshire. Georges has lightning quick reactions and I'm consistently impressed with his big save ability. El-Khoury also displays great composure and ability with the ball. Georges attended our summer ID camp and impressed us with his desire to want to travel across the country and become a Portland Pilot."
Alejandro (Ale) J. Pereira
6-0, F
Oviedo, Fla./Oviedo HS
Club: Orlando City Academy
National Ranking: 36th (IMG Academy 150)
Regional Ranking: 2nd (Florida)
Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNAZVybF2dU&app=desktop
Alejandro J. Pereira is the No. 36 recruit national and No. 2 in the state of Florida. In 2014 the forward scored 40 goals for Orlando City, who he's played with for the past four years. A U.S. Youth National Team member since 2015, Pereira claims a handful of highlight reel goals, including an overhead volley during the 2017 Developmental Academy Playoffs that was No. 1 on SportsCenter's Top Ten. He also scored four goals in a game twice during an international trip to Argentina, he assisted on a goal against Russia at the Vaclav Jezek Tournament, and he tallied a goal and an assist against Iceland at the same tournament. Pereira also played with the state and regional ODP, and he was with Jacksonville FC from 2006-14.
Pereira on Portland: "I chose the University of Portland because it has a combination of important things that I value in my life, such as a family atmosphere, high academic standards, and an incredible and unique soccer culture. I can't wait to play on Merlo Field in front of the best fans in college soccer alongside my new teammates. I'm excited to see where this journey takes me. Go Pilots!"
Carlin-Voigt on Pereira: "Alejandro was a great late addition to the class. He's a hard-running number 9 who loves to get on the end of crosses and also works hard to press the defenders to make them feel constantly under pressure. Alejandro has had some wonderful experiences with the U17 National Team program and was behind four strikers in his age group who all turned pro. Alejandro can score in different ways and we look forward to working with him to continue to develop his whole game. Due to his humble personality, we believe he wants to continue to grow and improve and we look forward to being part of that process. Alejandro is a great addition to our campus community with his positive attitude and humble mindset."
R.J. Stretch
5-11, MF/F
Spokane, Wash./Central Valley HS
Club: Sounders Academy
National Ranking: 145th (Top Drawer Soccer)
R.J. Stretch plays for the Seattle Sounders Academy after winning three straight state championships with his WPFC 99 Black club team. With the Sounders, Stretch claimed the National League Division Championship in 2017. He also played with the state and regional ODP, winning a regional title in 2016. He was also named to the ODP U15-U17 Best XI. With his Central Valley High School Team, Stretch was named first-team all-state and all-region in 2017, while also begin voted league MVP. A three-time All-GSL selection, Stretch helped guide the Bears to the Washington State Final Four in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Stretch on Portland: "I chose Portland because I wanted to come to a team that wants to win and play good attacking soccer. Also, I saw a chance to be part of something special with soccer being the number one sport at the school."
Carlin-Voigt on Stretch: "RJ is a Pacific Northwest success story as he grew up in Spokane, Wash., and always challenged himself to find the best environment to develop. RJ is a great example of what a UP player should represent both on and off the field. RJ is one of the top players in the Pacific Northwest and is equally committed to his academics. We first saw him at our ID camp where he impressed us with his competitive drive and ability to make plays from different parts on the field. RJ was the first member of our recruiting class and grew up wanting to be a Pilot. Since committing he joined the Seattle Sounders Academy to further challenge himself and has since lead the team in goals with plans to further develop with their USL team down the road. RJ is a versatile player who can play almost any position on the field. Furthermore RJ takes great pride in his academic success."
Greg Tracey
5-7, MF
Denver, Colo./Pomona HS
Club: Colorado Rapids Academy
National Ranking: 48th (IMG Academy 150)
Regional Ranking: 5th (Rocky Mountains & Southwest)
Greg Tracey is a midfielder who has played with the Colorado Rapids Development Academy since 2012. In 2017, the Rapids reached the USSDA Final Four. Tracey was also invited to the U-18 and U-20 U.S. Men's National Team camps, which included an invite to the first ever U.S. Soccer Men's YNT Summit Camp in January.
Tracey on Portland: "I chose the University of Portland because it had everything I was looking for in a school. From the experience of the coaching staff to the 2018 recruiting class, everything was spectacular. All the coaches are great guys, looking to push and help each player get to where they want to be as a team. All the players were easy to get along with and great players as well. The campus is exceptional and academics match the success of the soccer program. Lastly, Portland is well known as a Soccer City and I believe it's a place where I can excel academically as well as on the soccer field."
Carlin-Voigt on Tracey: "Greg is the type of soccer player that often goes under appreciated in our country as he's very cerebral and plays off the pass. We have had rich history with Denver players in the past and it was important we started that connection again. Greg has the technical ability and speed of play to pass out of tight situations and solve problems with his soccer IQ. We think he's a very good ball distributor and has shown his ability to also score goals from deeper positions with the Colorado Rapids Academy. Greg is another player with great training opportunities, most recently invited to Tab Ramos' U-20 national team camp, and also has been fortunate enough to train with the Colorado Rapids first team. As Greg gains more confidence moving from youth soccer to college, he will adapt to the transitional demands of college soccer. Greg is another player we really got to know as a person during our Portland ID camp training environment and welcome him to the bluff."
Tristan Weber
5-7, MF
San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente HS
Club: Orange Country SC
National Ranking: 31st (College Soccer News); 77th (IMG Academy 150)
Regional Ranking: 15th (Southern California)
Highlight Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y40wOh3mGnk
Tristan Weber is a midfielder who plays for the Orange County SC in the USL. Weber also played in the NPSL with Orange County FC after previously playing with the LA Galaxy Academy Team. From 2016-17, Weber was with the U-17 U.S. Men's National Team Residency Program. A team captain, Weber won a pair of ODP Regional IV Championships. A senior at San Clemente High School, Weber currently has 11 goals and 18 assists for the Tritons, who are in the middle of their winter season.
Weber on Portland: "The main reasons I picked Portland were due to the coaching staff, and the soccer atmosphere was unlike anything else I had seen in college. The city of Portland was so beautiful, it felt like home when I visited. Also, the friendly atmosphere on campus was very welcoming and I'm looking forward to the small classes and learning environment. Lastly, Merlo Field was better than most professional fields I have played on with the national team."
Carlin-Voigt on Weber: "Tristan is a very technically gifted left-footed player who can play in multiple positions and formations. We are very excited about his ball striking ability as he strikes a heavy ball and will be dangerous in wide areas or underneath our strikers. He has the ability to make other players around him better and we look forward to developing Tristan to fit with our style of play. As he adapts to our tempo demands with and without the ball we think he's going to be an excellent addition who has the ability to change games and add to our soccer first culture. We are excited to have another full-time U-17 residency player in our program."
The Pilots are also expected to announce a few more prospects in the upcoming weeks.