The UCLA men’s soccer team has signed eight recruits for next season, coach Jorge Salcedo announced on Feb. 5.
The incoming class is made up of forwards Dakota Collins and Chandler Hoffman, midfielders Ryan Hollingshead, Amobi Okugo, Evan Raynr and Michael Roman, and defenders Cesar Morales and Matthew Norton.
Norton signed a statement of intent to register for spring quarter.
Like in years past, Salcedo’s latest recruiting class features several players that have experience with the U.S. Youth National teams.
“This incoming recruiting class is gifted both technically and athletically,” Salcedo told UCLABruins.com. “Each of the players will have an immediate impact on our program.”
Perhaps the most touted of the group is Okugo, a three-time NSCAA/Adidas Youth All-American who has played with three different U.S. Youth National teams.
“Amobi Okugo is arguably the top recruit in the nation in the 2009 class,” Salcedo said.
Including Okugo, six of the eight signees hail from the state of California. Hoffman, from Birmingham, Ala., and Morales, from St. Charles, Ill., are the only out-of-staters.
Hoffman, who was last year’s Gatorade Alabama Boys Soccer Player of the Year, should form a potent tandem up front with Collins, who is also a forward.
“Dakota Collins is a top attacking player here in Southern California and is very talented in front of the goal,” Salcedo said. “(Hoffman’s) goal-scoring ability separates him as one of the top forwards in the country.”
Next season UCLA looks to replace four seniors ““ forwards Maxwell Griffin and Richard Flores, midfielder Jason Leopoldo and defender Brad Rusin.
The Bruins began preparing for the 2009 season on Monday with spring workouts at Spaulding Field.