UCLA Men’s Soccer Signs Seven for 2018 Class
February 12, 2018 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA men's soccer team has officially signed seven players during the early signing period, announced head coach Jorge Salcedo on Monday. The 2018 class includes five incoming freshmen and two transfers.
"We are very excited to welcome the 2018 incoming class, they are some of the top players in the country," said Salcedo. "The class is a dynamic and talented one, but most importantly they are players with competitive grit. Each of them has qualities that will make our program better on and off the field."
Five players have spent time with U.S. National Teams as Justin Garces started for the U.S. U-17 Men's National Team at both the World Cup and CONCACAF, while AJ Vasquez missed out on the World Cup due to an injury. In addition, Franuel Amaya and Matthew Hundley have spent time with different U.S. national teams and were named to the U-19 Men's Youth National Team roster for the first-ever U.S. Soccer Men's Youth National Team Summit Camp. Four players rank inside the top-25 players at their position in the country, as ranked by Top Drawer Soccer, including Garces who is the top goalkeeper in the country and Amaya being selected as the top player in the Southern California region.
Mohammad Kamara leads the class of the talented transfers that will join the team in 2018 as he was named the NJCAA national player of the year last season after totaling 99 points and leading Tyler College to a second-straight national title.
"Through signing these seven student-athletes, we could not have 'handpicked' better players in each of their respective positions," continued Salcedo. "We recruit players that can come in and contribute the day they step on campus, and I can emphatically say that this group will do just that."
Franuel Amaya
Santa Ana, Calif. (Pateadores Academy)
Midfielder
Named a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer … ranked No. 9 in the Top Drawer Soccer IMG Academy Top 150 … selected as sixth-best midfielder by Top Drawer Soccer … ranked as No. 1 player out of Southern California Region by Top Drawer Soccer … named to U-19 Men's Youth National Team roster for the first ever U.S. Soccer Men's YNT Summit Camp in January … tabbed to Top Drawer Soccer's Boys Development Academy U18/19 Winter Showcase Best XI in 2017 … selected to U.S. Boys National Team Futures camp in 2015.
Coach Salcedo on Amaya: "Frankie is a very talented player. He has great qualities and characteristics as a play maker, but what sets him apart is his work ethic and mentality. He gives everything every game and you can never have enough of that in your group."
Justin Garces
Miami, Fla. (Atlanta United Academy)
Goalkeeper
Named a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer … ranked No. 16 in the Top Drawer Soccer IMG Academy Top 150 … selected as the best goalkeeper in the 2018 recruiting class by Top Drawer Soccer … ranked as No. 4 player out of South Atlantic Region by Top Drawer Soccer … named to U-19 Men's Youth National Team roster for the first ever U.S. Soccer Men's YNT Summit Camp in January … member of U.S. Men's National Team for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India … started all five games for Team USA at the World Cup going 3-2 with three shutouts … named to U.S. U-17 Men's National Team roster for 2017 International Youth Tournament in Czech Republic … member of U.S. Men's National Team for CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Panama … earned the Golden Glove Award at the 2017 CONCACAF U-17 championship and was named to the tournament's best XI … competed for Team USA at the 2016 Aegean Cup in Turkey in January of 2016 … tabbed to participate in three semesters of the U.S. U-17 Residency Program … starter for U.S. U-17 Men's National Team at the 2015 Nike International Friendlies … picked to participate at the U.S. U-15 Boys National Team camp.
Coach Salcedo on Garces: "Justin is very experienced for his young age because of being the starting goal keeper in the recent U-17 World Cup. Often times players plateau after these achievements but through getting to know him, I know his best days are ahead of him because of his work ethic, passion and enthusiasm to be one of the best goal keepers in the country."
Matthew Hundley
Littleton, Colo. (Colorado Rapids Academy)
Midfielder
Named a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer … ranked No. 18 in the Top Drawer Soccer IMG Academy Top 150 … selected as 10th-best midfielder by Top Drawer Soccer … ranked as No. 2 player out of the Rocky Mountains and Southwest Region by Top Drawer Soccer … named to U-19 Men's Youth National Team roster for the first ever U.S. Soccer Men's YNT Summit Camp in January … selected to U.S. U-17 Men's National Team camp for World Cup … tabbed to 2016 Fall Semester and 2017 Spring Semester of the U.S. U-17 Residency Program … scored 10 goals for Real Colorado's U15/16 Development Academy during the 2015-16 regular season.
Coach Salcedo on Hundley: "Matt is a very dynamic winger with elite 1v1 ability. He is comfortable playing on both flanks and will help us create dangerous moments in the wide channels. Matt has both assists and goals in his game and will be an integral part of our attack next year."
Mohammed Kamara
Monrovia, Liberia (Tyler Junior College)
Forward
Transfer from Tyler Junior College … named the Junior College D1 National Player of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches … 2017 NJCAA Division I First Team All-American … played and started in 22 matches last season … led all of NJCAA with 48 goals and 99 points … scored 14 game-winning goals in 2017 … In 2016, finished seventh in the country with 22 goals and ninth in points with 51 … Ended career at Tyler JC with 70 goals and 150 points … helped Tyler to back-to-back national championships in 2016-17.
Coach Salcedo on Kamara: "Mohammed is one of the top goal scorers in the country. His 70 goals in two years is impressive, but 17 game winners this past season in 22 games speaks volumes about his mentality. He competes as hard as anyone I have seen."
Carlos Rincon
Los Angeles, Calif. (Santa Monica College)
Midfielder
Transfer from Santa Monica College … played in 22 matches last season for the Corsairs … totaled 27 points with 10 goals last season for Santa Monica College … finished career at SMC with 12 goals and 14 assists … had scholarship offers from Georgetown, Pennsylvania and West Point out of high school.
Coach Salcedo on Rincon: "Carlos has always wanted to be at UCLA. It is due to his commitment on the field and in the classroom that paved the way for him to join our program. He is a player that loves the game. Carlos has superior technical ability and will be a player that fits into our style of play."
Cody Sundquist
Granite Bay, Calif. (Fiorentina Youth Academy)
Midfielder
Named a three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer … selected to U.S. U-18 Men's National Team camp … starter for U.S. U-15 Boy's National Team … selected to U.S. U-15 Boy's National Team camp … named to roster of 2013 National Selection id2 tour … selected captain and was a starter for the U.S. U-14 Boys National Team … played for U.S. U-14 Boys National Team in Croatia … trained with Liverpool in 2013 and played for the Reds in the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.
Coach Salcedo on Sundquist: "Cody comes from UCLA lineage. He has had fantastic experiences over the past few years which will give him a great foundation to build at UCLA. Cody has great vision and an outstanding feel for the game. He has the ability to play any position in the midfield because of his capabilities."
AJ Vasquez
Mira Loma, Calif. (FC Golden State Academy)
Defender
Named a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer … ranked No. 19 in the Top Drawer Soccer IMG Academy Top 150 … selected as 11th-best midfielder by Top Drawer Soccer … ranked as No. 3 player out of Southern California Region by Top Drawer Soccer … member of U-17 U.S. Men's National Team but missed the World Cup due to injury … named to U.S. U-17 Men's National Team roster for 2017 International Youth Tournament in Czech Republic … member of U.S. Men's National Team for CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Panama … selected to U.S. U-17 Men's National Team camp … competed for Team USA at the 2016 Aegean Cup in Turkey in January of 2016 … tabbed to participate in three semesters of the U.S. U-17 Residency Program … earned start for U.S. U-17 Men's National Team at the 2015 Nike International Friendlies … picked to participate at the U.S. U-15 Boys National Team camp.
Coach Salcedo on Vasquez: "AJ is a fierce competitor. He was one of the top performers for the U-17 National Team, but unfortunately an injury prevented him from playing in the World Cup. He will come back stronger because of his mentality and not taking one day off to make himself better. He is a defender that forwards do not like to play against because he fights them for every blade of grass."