2018 Season

With the NLI signing period coming up in February, we'll probably begin seeing more activity on the Pilots roster.  The first action that I noticed appeared yesterday:

Alejandro Pereira @alesoccer 218 wrote:Very happy to announce that I verbally committed to the University of Portland! I’m excited to go and play in front of some of the best fans in college soccer. Thanks to my family, friends, and coaches that helped through this process!  

From Orlando, Alejandro is a forward on the MLS Orlando City academy team.

TopDrawerSoccer had him listed as a Duke commit, a top 50 player, and number 1 in the Florida region.

TDS wrote:Boys 2018 Regional Rankings: New York | Southern California | Texas

Duke commit Alejandro Pereira, a top 50 player, moves into the No. 1 spot in the Florida region. The forward has been in the mix with the U.S. Youth National Teams and looks to be one to watch from this class. He is one of over 30 players from the region ranked in the new update to the boys class of 2018.

Interesting they were  playing in el Coloso, aka Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, in Rosario, Argentina.
The u 17’s defeated Rosario Central 6-3 and Newell’ s 2-0.
They lost to the Uruguay u18’s 2-0

I watched a Newell’s Old Boys match in El Coloso a couple years ago.

Neat old stadium.

The fellow in my avatar picture is from there.

Another Pereira highlight here:

https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2017/06/23/pereira-s-bicycle-kick-lifts-oc-development-academy-playoffs

Although many assumed that Benji Michael (also from Orlando City academy) would turn professional after this season, I've heard Coach Carlin-Voigt say he doesn't think Benji is ready for that next step yet, and I have not heard any indication that Benji will be moving on.  If that is the case, having Benji and Alejandro up front for the Pilots could be a fearsome combination just based upon Alehandro's tape and reputation.

In addition to Alejandro, the Pilots should finally have Memphis transfer, defender Jabari Newton, on the roster this summer. Jabari was injured last summer and opted to stay home to rehabilitate and train before enrolling at UP.  A 3.0+ plus engineering student, one would think he'll want to finish his degree before moving on to the professional ranks as many say he eventually will.

So far it's looking good for the 2018 roster, but there are still a lot of really big shoes that need filling...and big gloves too, as Paul Christensen is off to the MLS Combine.

I'm glad to hear that Michel may be back. He is a force.

Is there any word about Ortiz? He's such a brilliant creative player that I could easily imagine an MLS club or a Mexican pro club looking to turn his head.

sounds like a bit of an exodus of players at the end of the fall semester. Baez, Garton and Meyer may have all left campus not to return! tough with a roster of 32 to keep everyone happy. Already have 8 commitments for next year including 2 keepers!

soccernut99 wrote:sounds like a bit of an exodus of players at the end of the fall semester. Baez, Garton and Meyer may have all left campus not to return!  tough with a roster of 32 to keep everyone happy. Already have 8 commitments for next year including 2 keepers!

By "Meyer," I assume you mean Myers, I'd heard he was "ready to head back to Liverpool," which is too bad, he's a real trouble maker for the opposing forwards.  

Who are the 8 commits?

Oh, and welcome to PilotNation soccernut99, we look forward to your soccer insights!

SoreKnees wrote:Is there any word about Ortiz? He's such a brilliant creative player that I could easily imagine an MLS club or a Mexican pro club looking to turn his head.

When I spoke to Rey in early December he was eagerly looking forward to another year on the Bluff, and finds "it's a real blessing to be surrounded by so many caring people."

But as we know with college students, sometimes the smallest things can be enough to change an attitude or plans.

8 commitments taken from Top Drawer Soccer includes Periera and the 2 from LA Galaxy (if Arteaga doesn't sign a home grown). looking like a good class again this year.

Jake Arteaga 2018 MF Glendora California LA Galaxy
Kelee Cornfield-Saunders 2018 D San Marcos California LA Galaxy
Georges El-Khoury 2018 GK Epping New Hampshire Seacoast United
Victor Juarez 2018 GK California San Jose Earthquakes
Alejandro Pereira 2018 F Orlando Florida Orlando City
RJ Stretch 2018 MF Spokane Washington Washington Premier FC
Gregory Tracey 2018 MF Arvada Colorado Colorado Rapids
Tristan Weber 2018 MF San Clemente California N/A


From Top Drawer.

WOW! First recruiting class ranking by Top Drawer is out...

Portland Pilots #1......

Wish I could read the TopDrawerArticle, but that is big news. And, unlike our recruiting ranking for basketball, I believe it when people say that our recruiting classes are worthy of such distinction. Awesome job by the staff even if this ranking doesn't hold!

This is exciting... stringing several years of these types of classes together could lead to big things.  

It's great to see this headline on the site...  

Top Soccer site

This is so exciting!

Even if it doesn't turn out to *actually* be the #1 recruiting class, any way you slice it means a huge injection of nationally-recognized talent into the program to go along with the last two great classes.

It sure is fun thinking about the 2018 season with legitimate high expectations!

Kind of going out on a limb on this one, but it appears Cal defender and one-time LA Galaxy Academy player, Brian (BJ) O'Hara, will be transferring to UP this semester, and will have two years of eligibility.

BJ is a good buddy of Rey Ortiz, also a LA Galaxy club member.

Digging deeper, there appears to be a good chance Winthrop University (Rock Hill, SC) defender and Chioggia, Italy native, Francesco Tiozzo will also be transferring to UP this semester. Francesco will have two years of eligibility remaining.



From what I gather, both BJ O'Hara (Cal) and Francesco Tiozzo (Winthrop) played very little at their respective universities, so it is difficult to assess what impact they'll have at UP....but if Nick likes them, we'll probably all like them.

DD can come in from the limb he's been on, a couple of new guys moved into the dorm this weekend, soccer players BJ O'Hara and Francesco Tiozzo.

StudentPilot wrote:DD can come in from the limb he's been on, a couple of new guys moved into the dorm this weekend, soccer players BJ O'Hara and Francesco Tiozzo.

What about Spencer Myers?  Is the rumor that he did not return to UP true?

O'Hara and Tiozzo are both defenders, and bigger than Myers, but he's a fan favorite because he's so pugnacious!  

DoubleDipper wrote:What about Spencer Myers?  Is the rumor that he did not return to UP true?
O'Hara and Tiozzo are both defenders, and bigger than Myers, but he's a fan favorite because he's so pugnacious!  

Spencer's roommate from last semester says Spencer did not return this semester....said he may have signed a pro contract in Europe.

I met Francesco Tiozzo, he was a starter at Winthrop, hopes to play professionally in Italy one day, and seems like a fun dude to party with....

Thanks, SP, after reading your response I dug a little deeper.

Yes, Spencer is hoping to turn pro in Europe to provide some financial benefit to his family and to develop his game while getting paid and living closer to home....

Coach Carlin-Voight is supporting him in any decision he makes, and Spencer knows that if he doesn't sign a contract he's welcome to come back to the Bluff this summer or next fall.

I also learned that BJ O'Hara didn't play much for Cal last season because he was injured.  Before Cal, BJ was the captain of the LA Galaxy Club team and was a teammate of Rey Ortiz.

Francesco, Rey, and BJ doing the Portland tourist thing....

StudentPilot wrote:DD can come in from the limb he's been on, a couple of new guys moved into the dorm this weekend, soccer players BJ O'Hara and Francesco Tiozzo.

Here's the "official" announcement:

http://portlandpilots.com/news/2018/1/29/mens-soccer-adds-a-pair-of-defenders-to-the-program.aspx

With just a couple of days to go until NLI signing begins, I'm told UP can expect seven new signings in addition to the two transfers that arrived at the beginning of the semester.

Not announced anywhere yet, but I've also been told the men will play Timbers T2 at Merlo Field at 5pm Saturday February 17....just prior to the men's basketball team taking on WCC leader St. Mary's at 7pm.

wrv wrote:Jake Arteaga 2018 MF Glendora California LA Galaxy
Kelee Cornfield-Saunders 2018 D San Marcos California LA Galaxy
Georges El-Khoury 2018 GK Epping New Hampshire Seacoast United
Victor Juarez 2018 GK California San Jose Earthquakes
Alejandro Pereira 2018 F Orlando Florida Orlando City
RJ Stretch 2018 MF Spokane Washington Washington Premier FC
Gregory Tracey 2018 MF Arvada Colorado Colorado Rapids
Tristan Weber 2018 MF San Clemente California N/A

From Top Drawer.

Quite a bit of information available on social media about NLI signings today, and looks like six of the eight student-athletes wrv listed will sign, and two will walk-on....

Pretty dang good news dat. Go Pilots.

The recruiting situation is over the top. Congrats to the coaching staff.


Now if we can get a handle on that winning on the road issue....