The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Men's Soccer Unveils Talented 2023 Newcomer Class
July 31 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer squad under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick, has announced a talented nine-member newcomer class that will hit the pitch for the Zips during the 2023 campaign.
TopDrawerSoccer.com has tabbed Akron's 2023 signing class as the sixth-rated men's soccer signing class in country in its updated rating unveiled on July 28.
Donning the Akron uniform this fall as the Zips enter the Big East Conference will be Caleb Borneo (Morgantown, W.Va.), Matt Dreas (Covington, Ky.), Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.), Daniel Firek (Mississauga, Ontario), Marlon Fries (Windsbach, Germany), Josh Hardin (Maple Valley, Wash.), Alen Kapic (Mason, Ohio), Ryan Kopay (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland).
The group with compliment four newcomers that enrolled at Akron during the spring semester in Carter Cormier (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Jackson Herbert (Wadsworth, Ohio), Rui Reis (Lisbon, Portugal) and Alejandro Varela (A Coruna, Spain).
A native of Morgantown, W.Va., Borneo, a midfielder comes to Akron having gained valuable playing experience with Columbus Crew Academy. A member of Trinidad and Tobago U-20 and USA U-19 national teams in 2022, he is rated as No. 38 recruit on IMG Academy 150 and No. 2 recruit in Great Lakes region by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Embick on Borneo – "Caleb is a very skillful and creative playmaker. He can play the 10 or winger and is very technical and dangerous in the final third. He excites us for his ability to combine with teammates and beat opponents in 1v1 situations."
A native of Covington, Ky., Dreas, a midfielder arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with FC Cincinnati Academy where he is rated as No. 22 recruit in Great Lakes Region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Additionally, he garnered 10 appearances, including five starts for FC Cincinnati 2 in the MLS Next Pro League.
Embick on Dreas – "Matt is a winner, who is a great compliment to some of our other midfielders as he is a ball winner. He is a player that moves the ball with quick, simple passing and he has leadership qualities that we look forward to developing."
A native of Glen Carbon, Ill., Ferguson, a forward comes to Akron having gained valuable playing experience with St. Louis City SC Academy where he led the UPSL with 14 goals in spring 2023 campaign. Additionally, he earned four MLS Next Pro appearances with St. Louis City SC and is rated as No. 7 recruit in Heartland Region by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Embick on Ferguson – "Nathan is a tall forward that is a great finisher who knows how to score goals. He has a quick release in the box to get shots off. He is still growing into his body and needs to add some strength to his frame. He has the ability to be one of the best finishers we have had at Akron."
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Firek, a midfielder arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Sigma FC. He signed developmental contracts with Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League at age 16 and 17 and is ranked 18th in 2023 recruiting class in Canada by FTF. He earned 2023 Vaughan x FTF Showcase and 2022 Sigma FC Showcase first-team accolades. Additionally, he pulled in FTF x SA Men's All-Star Showcase first-team honors and Finals MVP laurels.
Embick on Firek – "Daniel is another player from Sigma FC in Canada, who we have had many talented players come to us in the past. He is a very intelligent and technical player who can defend well and move the team in midfield with his passing. We feel he is a player that can help us control games with his overall play."
A native of Windsbach, Germany, Fries, a midfielder comes to Akron having gained valuable playing experience with SpVGG Greuther Fürth U17 and U19 Bundesliga teams in Germany. He helped his squads capture 2023 Champion U19 Bayernliga Season and 2023 BFV Cup titles.
Embick on Fries – "Marlon is a very technical player, who can play in the middle or out wide and score goals. He is a player we feel could make an impact immediately in a couple positions. His versatility and technical ability fits in very well with the Akron style of play and we are excited about his potential."
A native of Seattle, Wash., Hardin, a defender arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Seattle Sounders Academy where he is rated as No. 82 recruit on IMG Academy 150. He debuted with Tacoma Defiance in 2020 at 15 in addition to garnering 17 starts playing for Colorado Rapids 2.
Embick on Hardin – "Josh is a fullback that possesses great technical ability and quickness. He is a great fit for our team as he can move the team in possession out of the back and has the ability to get forward and help us create in the final third."
A native of Mason, Ohio, Kapic, a forward comes to Akron having gained valuable playing experience with FC Cincinnati where he is rated as No. 15 recruit in Great Lakes Region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. He played as a freshman at Mason High School, where he owned 14 career goals and six assists.
Embick on Kapic – "Alen is an attacker that is very good in 1v1 situations. He is a winger that can also come inside and use his technical ability to help us overload the middle, but he is a player we will look to open the game up and be more direct width. He can play on the right or left side."
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Kopay, a midfielder arrives at Akron after being a four-year letterwinner at Moon Area High School where he helped his squad capture a sectional and WPIAL championship as a senior en route to collecting all-state and all-regional accolades. He pulled in all-conference and all-sectional honors as a sophomore and junior, respectively. He registered 32 career goals, while adding 35 assists, with 15 goals and 12 assists coming his senior year and earned an invitation to play in WPIAL All-Star game as a senior.
Embick on Kopay – "Ryan is a smooth player who possesses good technique and is a good passer of the ball. I feel he has versatility to potentially play in a couple of positions for us. He has great work ethic and competitiveness to impact games. He will need a bit of time, but I think he can develop into a player that can help drive the team forward and as well as be key personality on the team."
A native of Meath, Ireland, Reilly, a defender comes to Akron from UMass Lowell, where he played last season, appearing in 12 games, including 11 starts. As a freshman, he registered one goal on the strength of five shots, with two coming on goal. Additionally, he gained valuable playing experience with St. Patrick's Athletics squad.
Embick on Reilly – "Daragh is a left-sided defender, who can play left back or left center back. He is good on the ball, reads the game well and is a great communicator and leader out of the back. He is another player that has a balanced game and is intelligent with great intangibles."
2023 Akron Men's Soccer Signing Class
Caleb Borneo, midfielder, Morgantown, W.Va. (Columbus Crew)
Carter Cormier, defender, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Sockers FC)
Matt Dreas, midfielder, Covington, Ky. (FC Cincinnati)
Nathan Ferguson, forward, Glen Carbon, Ill. (St. Louis City SC)
Daniel Firek, midfielder, Mississauga, Ontario (Sigma FC)
Marlon Fries, midfielder, Windsbach, Germany (SpVgg Greuther Furth)
Josh Hardin, defender, Maple Valley, Wash. (Colorado Rapids)
Jackson Herbert, midfielder, Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth)
Alen Kapic, forward, Mason, Ohio (FC Cincinnati)
Ryan Kopay, midfielder, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Beadling)
Daragh Reilly, defender, Meath, Ireland (St. Patrick's Athletic/UMass Lowell)
Rui Reis, midfielder, Lisbon, Portugal (Keiser University)
Alejandro Varela, midfielder, A Coruna, Spain (Keiser University)
TopDrawerSoccer.com has tabbed Akron's 2023 signing class as the sixth-rated men's soccer signing class in country in its updated rating unveiled on July 28.
Donning the Akron uniform this fall as the Zips enter the Big East Conference will be Caleb Borneo (Morgantown, W.Va.), Matt Dreas (Covington, Ky.), Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.), Daniel Firek (Mississauga, Ontario), Marlon Fries (Windsbach, Germany), Josh Hardin (Maple Valley, Wash.), Alen Kapic (Mason, Ohio), Ryan Kopay (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland).
The group with compliment four newcomers that enrolled at Akron during the spring semester in Carter Cormier (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Jackson Herbert (Wadsworth, Ohio), Rui Reis (Lisbon, Portugal) and Alejandro Varela (A Coruna, Spain).
A native of Morgantown, W.Va., Borneo, a midfielder comes to Akron having gained valuable playing experience with Columbus Crew Academy. A member of Trinidad and Tobago U-20 and USA U-19 national teams in 2022, he is rated as No. 38 recruit on IMG Academy 150 and No. 2 recruit in Great Lakes region by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Embick on Borneo – "Caleb is a very skillful and creative playmaker. He can play the 10 or winger and is very technical and dangerous in the final third. He excites us for his ability to combine with teammates and beat opponents in 1v1 situations."
A native of Covington, Ky., Dreas, a midfielder arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with FC Cincinnati Academy where he is rated as No. 22 recruit in Great Lakes Region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Additionally, he garnered 10 appearances, including five starts for FC Cincinnati 2 in the MLS Next Pro League.
Embick on Dreas – "Matt is a winner, who is a great compliment to some of our other midfielders as he is a ball winner. He is a player that moves the ball with quick, simple passing and he has leadership qualities that we look forward to developing."
A native of Glen Carbon, Ill., Ferguson, a forward comes to Akron having gained valuable playing experience with St. Louis City SC Academy where he led the UPSL with 14 goals in spring 2023 campaign. Additionally, he earned four MLS Next Pro appearances with St. Louis City SC and is rated as No. 7 recruit in Heartland Region by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Embick on Ferguson – "Nathan is a tall forward that is a great finisher who knows how to score goals. He has a quick release in the box to get shots off. He is still growing into his body and needs to add some strength to his frame. He has the ability to be one of the best finishers we have had at Akron."
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Firek, a midfielder arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Sigma FC. He signed developmental contracts with Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League at age 16 and 17 and is ranked 18th in 2023 recruiting class in Canada by FTF. He earned 2023 Vaughan x FTF Showcase and 2022 Sigma FC Showcase first-team accolades. Additionally, he pulled in FTF x SA Men's All-Star Showcase first-team honors and Finals MVP laurels.
Embick on Firek – "Daniel is another player from Sigma FC in Canada, who we have had many talented players come to us in the past. He is a very intelligent and technical player who can defend well and move the team in midfield with his passing. We feel he is a player that can help us control games with his overall play."
A native of Windsbach, Germany, Fries, a midfielder comes to Akron having gained valuable playing experience with SpVGG Greuther Fürth U17 and U19 Bundesliga teams in Germany. He helped his squads capture 2023 Champion U19 Bayernliga Season and 2023 BFV Cup titles.
Embick on Fries – "Marlon is a very technical player, who can play in the middle or out wide and score goals. He is a player we feel could make an impact immediately in a couple positions. His versatility and technical ability fits in very well with the Akron style of play and we are excited about his potential."
A native of Seattle, Wash., Hardin, a defender arrives at Akron after gaining valuable playing experience with Seattle Sounders Academy where he is rated as No. 82 recruit on IMG Academy 150. He debuted with Tacoma Defiance in 2020 at 15 in addition to garnering 17 starts playing for Colorado Rapids 2.
Embick on Hardin – "Josh is a fullback that possesses great technical ability and quickness. He is a great fit for our team as he can move the team in possession out of the back and has the ability to get forward and help us create in the final third."
A native of Mason, Ohio, Kapic, a forward comes to Akron having gained valuable playing experience with FC Cincinnati where he is rated as No. 15 recruit in Great Lakes Region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. He played as a freshman at Mason High School, where he owned 14 career goals and six assists.
Embick on Kapic – "Alen is an attacker that is very good in 1v1 situations. He is a winger that can also come inside and use his technical ability to help us overload the middle, but he is a player we will look to open the game up and be more direct width. He can play on the right or left side."
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Kopay, a midfielder arrives at Akron after being a four-year letterwinner at Moon Area High School where he helped his squad capture a sectional and WPIAL championship as a senior en route to collecting all-state and all-regional accolades. He pulled in all-conference and all-sectional honors as a sophomore and junior, respectively. He registered 32 career goals, while adding 35 assists, with 15 goals and 12 assists coming his senior year and earned an invitation to play in WPIAL All-Star game as a senior.
Embick on Kopay – "Ryan is a smooth player who possesses good technique and is a good passer of the ball. I feel he has versatility to potentially play in a couple of positions for us. He has great work ethic and competitiveness to impact games. He will need a bit of time, but I think he can develop into a player that can help drive the team forward and as well as be key personality on the team."
A native of Meath, Ireland, Reilly, a defender comes to Akron from UMass Lowell, where he played last season, appearing in 12 games, including 11 starts. As a freshman, he registered one goal on the strength of five shots, with two coming on goal. Additionally, he gained valuable playing experience with St. Patrick's Athletics squad.
Embick on Reilly – "Daragh is a left-sided defender, who can play left back or left center back. He is good on the ball, reads the game well and is a great communicator and leader out of the back. He is another player that has a balanced game and is intelligent with great intangibles."
2023 Akron Men's Soccer Signing Class
Caleb Borneo, midfielder, Morgantown, W.Va. (Columbus Crew)
Carter Cormier, defender, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Sockers FC)
Matt Dreas, midfielder, Covington, Ky. (FC Cincinnati)
Nathan Ferguson, forward, Glen Carbon, Ill. (St. Louis City SC)
Daniel Firek, midfielder, Mississauga, Ontario (Sigma FC)
Marlon Fries, midfielder, Windsbach, Germany (SpVgg Greuther Furth)
Josh Hardin, defender, Maple Valley, Wash. (Colorado Rapids)
Jackson Herbert, midfielder, Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth)
Alen Kapic, forward, Mason, Ohio (FC Cincinnati)
Ryan Kopay, midfielder, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Beadling)
Daragh Reilly, defender, Meath, Ireland (St. Patrick's Athletic/UMass Lowell)
Rui Reis, midfielder, Lisbon, Portugal (Keiser University)
Alejandro Varela, midfielder, A Coruna, Spain (Keiser University)
Players Mentioned
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