COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland men's soccer head coach Sasho Cirovski announced the Terps 2021 signing class Wednesday afternoon. The Terps will add nine players from seven different states and three different countries.
"I am very excited to announce our 2021 recruiting class," Cirovski said "We have players from great high school and club programs, and also with quality international experiences. We have secured some of the best players locally as well as from many regions nationally and internationally. I'm very proud of the work my staff has done assembling this class of quality young men who embody our values, beliefs and philosophy. Our fans will love watching and supporting this crop of highly talented players."
Information on the signees can be found below.
Joshua Bolma
Attacking Midfielder/Winger | Accra, Ghana
South Kent HS | Black Rock FC
Before Maryland: Starred at South Kent High School in Connecticut after growing up in Ghana...helped South Kent to a 63-3-5 record during his four seasons...scored 33 goals and added 27 assists in his high school career...won a High School National Championship with South Kent...named a National High School All-American by Top Drawer Soccer...named an All-State selection by Top Drawer Soccer...played at South Kent under head coach Owen Finberg...appeared in the Ghana Youth National Team set up...joined South Kent from Rising Stars Academy in Ghana...played for Black Rock FC under coach Ben Walsh...son of George and Dorcas Bolma…has five siblings: Judith, Grace, Caleb, Stephen and Priscilla.
Sasho on Joshua: "Joshua is a very gifted attacking player. His balance, agility and quickness combined with his vision and creative feel for the game make him a special dynamic player. He is a technician with two great feet that can beat you with the dribble or the pass and can play in multiple places on the field. His time with 2019 National HS Champion, South Kent School, Blackrock FC and the Ghana Youth National Team have him prepped to make an immediate impact on the program."
Kyle Brown
Forward | Baldwin, Md.
McDonogh School | Baltimore Armour
Before Maryland: Played for the McDonogh School under head coach Brandon Quaranta...helped McDonogh win three consecutive MIAA championships...played for Baltimore Armour under head coach Mike Lookingland...scored seven goals in 26 appearances for Armour in U.S. Soccer Development Academy action...son of William and Maria Brown...William played football at Washington and Lee and Maria played soccer and lacrosse at Princeton...has one sibling: Ryan...distantly related to Frances Scott Key.
Sasho on Kyle: "Kyle is a versatile attacking player with a real knack for the goal. He can play both the provider and the scorer due to his mentality. He plays with a real direct purpose in the final third which fits in well with our philosophy. Kyle consistently raised his game playing both at McDonogh and Baltimore Armour, so we are excited to get him into the Maryland program."
Caden Byrnes
Goalkeeper | Littleton, Colo.
Real Colorado
Before Maryland: Played for Real Colorado under coaches Danny Bills and Clint Baumstark...made 39 appearances in U.S. Soccer Development Academy action for Real Colorado...helped the club advance to the D.A. quarterfinals and gave up just three goals...traveled to play in Italy as a U-13 player...State Cup MVP in 2016...son of Eric and Tara Byrnes...has two siblings: Justin and Nolan...started his own business in high school creating custom shoes
Sasho on Caden: "Caden is a very talented goalkeeper. He has great hands, very good feet and is courageous. He is a good distributor of the ball and is capable of making the big saves, but what makes him stand out is his reliability to not concede soft goals. He reads the game well and has a calming presence on the field. His experience at Real Colorado has been crucial for this next step and we are excited to see what he can do once he gets to campus."
Griffin Dillon
Midfield | Draper, Utah
Corner Canyon High School | La Roca FC
Before Maryland: Played for Corner Canyon High School for coach Andrew Van Wagenen...named the team's most impactful player...played for La Roca Futbol Club for coach Celso dos Santos...captained his club side...La Roca was the No. 1 team in Utah and No. 28 national in the GotSoccer rankings...two-time Desert Premier League Champions...played in Utah ODP...son of Mark and Tori Dillon...has two siblings: Trevor and Devin...Trevor plays soccer at Dixie State University...Mark played soccer for Marquette.
Sasho on Griffin: "Griffin is a very silky attacking midfielder. His technical ability and his vision allow him to be a great distributor of the ball. He is gifted in putting attacking players into play. He has an advanced feel for the game and makes great decisions because he's usually one step ahead of everyone. Griffin comes to us from La Roca Futbol Club in Utah where he was a playmaker and captain."
Marcus Garcia
Forward | Albuquerque, N.M.
Saint Pius X | Rio Rapids SC
Before Maryland: Played at Saint Pius X for coach AJ Herrera...scored 39 goals and added 24 assists in three high school seasons (2020 postponed to spring)...led the Sartans to three state semifinal appearances...two-time New Mexico AAA Second Team All-State...2019 District 5 AAAA Player of the Year...two-time AAAA All-District First Team...2019 ECNL Mountain Conference All-Conference Team...Regional/State ODP selection...played for Rio Rapids Soccer Clubs for coaches Chris Hurst and Cole Borgeson...advanced to the ECNL Regional Finals...two-time New Mexico State Cup Finalist...2019 PDT Showcase Champions...son of Dominic and Stephanie Garcia...has a brother, Julian, who plays soccer at University of Hawaii Hilo.
Sasho on Marcus: "Marcus is a big strong kid with very gentle feet and an athletic nimble frame. He has all the tools to be a force in the final third and can play anywhere along the front three or in a two front. Marcus has been dominant for both his club, Rio Rapids, and for his high school team at St. Pius X."
Henry Hamilton
Midfielder | Wellington, New Zealand
Wellington Phoenix
Before Maryland: Played for Wellington Phoenix Academy for Paul Temple, Steve Coleman, Callum Holmes and Weijji Lim...captured the U-17 National Championship in 2019 and 2018...has appeared in the New Zealand Premiership for Wellington...member of the New Zealand U-17 National Team...competed at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, appearing three times...has scored five goals for the U-17 National Team...scored a goal in the OFC Under-16 Championships to help qualify the Young All Whites to the U-17 World Cup...for the son of Robert and Jacqui...has one sibling: Ryan.
Sasho on Henry: "Henry is a very polished box to box midfielder, capable of playing in any of the midfield positions. He has a gifted left foot and is a great competitor. His quickness allows him to beat his opponents on the dribble and his vision and technical ability allow him to beat you with his accuracy and range of passing. His vast international experience with the New Zealand Youth National Teams and as a captain of the Wellington Phoenix Reserves will allow him to step right into the college game."
Dalton Hass
Midfield | Lindenhurst, Ill.
FC United DA
Before Maryland: Played for FC United DA for coach Steve Morris...helped FC United qualify for the USSDA Winter Cup..played for the Chicago Fire Academy for coach Cedric Cattenoy...helped the club become Dallas Cup International Champions and win several other Generation Adidas events...qualified to the DA Cup...also played for Chicago Fire Juniors...son of Craig and Shawn Hass...has one sibling: Callista...also ran cross country in high school.
Sasho on Dalton: "Dalton came to our ID camp and immediately impressed us with his mentality and versatility. He is an attacking wide midfield player that can play as a winger but it's his mentality that will allow him to compete as an outside back or wing back. Dalton has honed his skill with both the Chicago Fire Academy and FC United Academy. He is well prepped for the challenge of college soccer."
Richie Nichols
Midfield | Towson, Md.
McDonogh School | Baltimore Armour
Before Maryland: Played for the McDonogh School for coach Brandon Quaranta...played two high school seasons (2020 canceled) and scored 21 goals and added 25 assists...led the Eagles to a 30-3-2 record in his two years and won two MIAA Championships...two-time First Team All-State...two-time First Team All-MIAA...two-time Baltimore Sun First-Team All-Metro...played for Baltimore Armour for Mike Lookingland...named Best XI at the 2019 DA playoffs...scored 20 goals for the club...son of Steve and Amy Nichols...has two siblings: Stephen and Brooke...father played soccer at Loyola University and is currently the head coach of the Greyhounds...brother Stephen is currently playing for Loyola.
Sasho on Richie: "Richie is a warrior and a winner. He is a box-to-box midfielder with the ability to construct and destruct. He is a great distributor of the ball and also has a great shot from distance. He has a great feel for the game and comes from a great soccer family. His leadership shined through as he was a captain and top player for both McDonogh and Baltimore Armour."
Alex Nitzl
Defender | Neuried, Germany
TSG Hoffenheim/Bayern Munich
Before Maryland: Played for TSG Hoffenheim for the last two years after five years with FC Bayern Munich...played for coaches Marcel Rapp and Kai Herdling for Hoffenheim and Sebastian Hoene for Bayern Munich...helped Hoffenheim's U-19 team advance to the UEFA Youth League semifinals...appeared 31 times for Hoffenheim's youth set up...helped Bayern Munich's U-19 team advance to the 2018 UEFA Youth League Round of 16...appeared 84 times for Bayern Munich U-19 and U-17 sides...made 21 caps for German Youth National Teams...played for Germany at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup appearing in all five matches to help Germany make the quarterfinals...helped Germany advance to the semifinals of the 2017 UEFA European U-17 Championships...son of Alfred Schlager and Petra Nitzl...has one sibling: Tobias.
Sasho on Alex: "Alex is a very versatile, experienced and talented player. He has a high soccer IQ, an advanced feel for the game and is very proficient technically and tactically. With a great mind and two very good feet, he is terrific in his ability to build from the back in a variety of ways. He is equally adept at any of the back-line positions and can play as the defensive midfielder. His incredible soccer education as a youth at FC Bayern, combined with his tremendous experience with the German Youth National Team, and topped off with his play with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II, show that he will be a great asset as he transitions to college soccer."
Caden Stafford
Forward | Cincinnatus, N.Y.
Philadelphia Union Academy
Before Maryland: Played for the Philadelphia Union Academy under coach Marlon LeBlanc...scored his first professional goal for Union II in September after debuting in August...appeared eight times for Union II ,scored twice and added three assists in the USL Championship...scored 11 goals in 17 appearances for the in the USSDA...scored a hat trick in Generation Adidas Cup qualifier...in a high school season with Cincinnatus High School in 2018, he scored 42 goals and had 34 assists...previously played for Syracuse Development Academy...son of Alex and Desi Stafford...Alex played soccer at TCCC...has four siblings: Cason, Canden, Jelsie and Markie.
Sasho on Caden: "Caden is a special attacking player. He is a true goal scoring striker that can also play the role of provider. He has a creative flair to his game, combined with a ruthless mentality that blends perfectly with our philosophy. He has soft feet, great agility and can unbalance his opponents on the dribble or with his passing and of course his shooting. Caden's development through Syracuse Development Academy, Philadelphia Union Academy and his recent experience with Union II (USL) will be evident as he steps onto Ludwig Field."
