Cirovski Announces The Addition Of 13 Players To 2026 Roster
6/26/2026 12:20:00 PM | Men's Soccer
"This is one of the most diverse and talented recruiting classes we have assembled. From high level leagues in Ghana, Uganda and MLS NEXT Pro as well as All-Americans and elite MLS academy standouts, this group brings global experience, competitive maturity, and true positional balance. Having such a large group enter Maryland this Spring, and get accustomed to our style of play, and build connections with our returning group will be a huge benefit to our team for next fall. We believe the entire group will accelerate our growth, elevate the standard in our locker room, and push our returners to another level."
franklin affanyi
Accra-Nungua, Ghana
Montverde Academy
Defender
Before Maryland: Affanyi, one of the top recruits for the 2026 Class, joins Maryland after attending Montverde Academy for high school. While at Montverde, Affanyif played for their elite SIMA Gold Soccer team. Affanyif is originally from Accra-Nungua, Ghana before moving to the United States.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski "Franklin brings an elite pedigree and defensive presence to Maryland. Competing for the nationally recognized SIMA Gold program, he has displayed skill, strength, athleticism, and composure in the back line. His confidence and ability to defend in space and play out of the back strengthens our already tough defensive unit. At SIMA he is being pushed everyday and we are ready for him to come and compete at an elite level on Ludwig Field. He has the tools and mentality to thrive at the collegiate level."
jason atakora
Ashanti, Ghana
Exulted FC (Ghana 2nd Division)
Midfielder
Before Maryland: Atakora attended Methodist Day Senior High School in Accra, Ghana. Atakora played club soccer for Exulted FC (Ghana 2nd Division) under coach Benjamin Baiden where they won the GA South District Division Three Championship in 2025. Atakora was named a captain for the 2025 team and was drafted to play for Team Ghana U19.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Jason is a technical central midfielder who is comfortable receiving possession in tight areas and can pick out key passes to advance the game. He dictates the tempo for his team in the attacking phase, showing a very good understanding for the rhythm and flow of the game. Jason captained Exulted FC, a team in Greater Accra Regional Football Association (GARFA) Division Two."
dominic ayella
Gulu, Uganda
Lindsey Wilson University
Forward
Before Maryland: Ayella comes to Maryland from Lindsey Wilson University in Columbia, KY. Across his first two seasons at Lindsey Wilson, Ayella scored 18 goals with five assists. In his sophomore season, Ayella scored five game winning goals. Ayella attended Kibuli Secondary School in Kampala, Uganda under coach Emuron Recoba. In the Kampala Regional, Ayella scored 15 goals in eight matches.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Dominic has proven to be one of the top attacking players in the NAIA over the past 2 seasons, where he netted 41 goals at Lindsey Wilson. He is a dynamic 1v1 player with a nose for the goal, and the ability to unbalance defenders around the box. Dominic was a two-time NAIA All-American, and played in the Ugandan Premier League prior to enrolling at Lindsey Wilson."
zachary cielewich
Severna Park, MD
DC United U-18/19
Goalkeeper
Before Maryland: Cielewich, who served as a ball boy for Maryland soccer as a child, has signed to stay in his home state and join the Terps. He was the starting goalkeeper for the D.C. United U18/19 Academy and earned MLS NEXT Best XI honors during the 2024–25 season while playing for Baltimore Armour. Cielewich was also named an MLS NEXT All-Star in 2025. A Maryland native and graduate of Severna Park High School, he has long-standing ties to the program-the first live sporting event he attended was Maryland's match against Duke in 2015.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Zach has developed in an elite professional environment. He has regularly trained with D.C. United's first team and reserves, gaining valuable professional experience. He has a calming and confident presence on the field and is very capable in distribution, which bodes well in our style."
antoine coupland
Chelsea, Quebec
Vancouver Whitecaps 2
Forward
Before Maryland: Played with the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 from 2023-25. Played in 58 career matches for the Whitecaps 2 with five goals scored. Also played for the Ottawa Fury and Athletico Ottawa. Attended College Saint-Alexandre de la Gatineau for high school in Gatineau. Sister, Madison, plays basketball for Bishops University. Father, Jonathan, played soccer at the University of Ottawa GeeGee's.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Antoine brings a high-level of experience and quality to our attacking group. He is an extremely shifty 1v1 attacker, capable of creating his own chances, while using his technical quality and vision, to bring teammates into the play. With over 60 games of MLS Next Pro experience, he is expected to be a key contributor to our attack next season."
said el eyssami
Panama City, Panama
Northwood Prep
Forward
Before Maryland: Played high school soccer at Northwood Prep in Lake Placid, NY under head coach Jon Moodey. El Eyssami scored 12 goals in eight games. El Eyssami also played club soccer for Black Rock FC. Has scored 4 goals in Academia Costa Del Este. El Eyssami was a top performer in the Panamanian Youth Divisions.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Said is an attacking talent with an impressive international youth career at Academia Costa del Este and a standout prep performance at Northwood Prep. Comfortable anywhere across the front line, he brings pace and composure in the final third. His ability to attack defenders off the dribble, find space between lines, and finish with either foot makes him a versatile addition to our attacking unit."
Lilian fichelle
Attiches, France
Campbell
Defender
Before Maryland: Appeared in and started all 20 games at Campbell in 2025. All-CAA First Team last season. Tied for the team lead with 1,763 total minutes. Played all 90 minutes in every game except for three. Tallied two assists this year, against UNCW and Longwood. Played club soccer with Racing club de Lens under coach Yohan Demont. Helped club team finish 3rd in the U19 national championship.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Lilian is a proven top defender at the D1 College level. He has two great feet and is very comfortable playing out of the back. But it's his physical presence and willingness to compete as a defender that makes him special. He is very intelligent and athletic and is comfortable playing anywhere on the back line. "
zack harris
Agoura Hills, CA
CSUN
Midfielder
Before Maryland: Played three years at CSUN before transferring to Maryland. All-Big West Second Team honors in 2025. Started 16 of 17 matches and logged over 1,200 minutes. He recorded three points on one goal and one assist. Scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory at Oral Roberts (8/24/25) and an assist in a win over LMU (9/18/25). Harris led the team in assists in 2024 with four. Attended Oak Park High School. Named 2023 Ventura County Star All-County Boys Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 21 goals and recording 12 assists in 13 matches as the team won the Coastal Canyon League and advanced to the Division 1 Playoff. Four-time First Team All-Conference selection.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Zack is an experienced performer at the D1 level. He brings tenacity, as well as a high level of technical skill to our midfield. He possesses a range of qualities that allow him to be a key contributor at multiple roles in the midfield. Zack was a Big West All-Conference Player (2025) at CSUN, where he was a 3 Year starter and key midfield contributor."
dennis kalanzi
Kampala, Uganda
Police FC (Ugandan Premier League)
Forward
Before Maryland: Kalanzi joins Maryland after attending Masaka Secondary School in Masaka City and played club soccer for Uganda Police FC of the Ugandan Premier League. Kalanzi played under head coach Mathias Lule and was named Most Valuable Player in 2024 and led the team in assists in 2025.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Dennis is one of the top young attacking talents in the Ugandan Premier Division. He is a dynamic 1v1 player, who can create for himself as well as bring his teammates into goal scoring situations with his field vision and passing. Dennis was named to the Best 11 in for the first half of the Ugandan Premier League 2025-26 Season, where he led the division in assists this season"
rodrigo neri
Miami, FL
Athletico Madrid
Forward
Before Maryland: Rodrigo Neri comes to Maryland after playing most recently with Atlanta United 2. During his time with Atlanta, Neri scored nine goals. In 2021, Neri signed with Athleto Madrid's youth program and spent three seasons developing. Neri also spent time with USMNT Youth National teams and scored nine goals over more than two seasons. Originally born in Miami, FL, Neri spent much of his childhood growing up in Venezuela.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Rodrigo is a special attacking talent. He is a pure goalscorer. His advanced soccer IQ allows him to read the game and put himself in great positions to score. His technical finishing is refined in that he can score in so many ways in the box. His personality, ambition and competitiveness will add a huge element to our team this Fall. His experiences with Atlanta United 2 and our USMNT Youth National teams are something not many college players have anymore."
Ljubomir popovic
Wolfurt, Austria
Tyler Junior College (NJCAA)
Defender
Before Maryland: Ljubomir Popovic comes to Maryland after playing the last two seasons at Tyler Junior College. In two seasons at Tyler, Ljubo played and started in all 35 matches and scored two goals with three assists. Ljubo was a 2x NJCAA All American and 2x United Soccer Coaches NJCAA All-American. Tyler was Conference Champions in both of his seasons there in 2024 and 2025 and reached the number one rank last season.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Ljubo is a very composed and intelligent left-footed defender who reads the game exceptionally well. He is extremely comfortable on the ball, and has the ability to start attacks from the back with a range of passing qualities. Ljubo comes to us as a two-time NJCAA All-American from powerhouse, Tyler Junior College."
Maxwell sekyi
Accra, Ghana
Exulted FC
Defensive Midfielder
Before Maryland: Sekyi attended Ejisuman Senior High School in Kumasi, Ghana and scored 10 goals in his senior season. Sekyi played club soccer for Exulted FC under coach Benjamin Baiden where they won the GA South District Division Three Championship in 2025.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Maxwell is a highly athletic and intensely focused defender. His ability to shut down attackers 1v1 and cover space in behind the backline is immediately noticeable. He was top player for Exulted FC, where he Vice Captained the team that competed in the Greater Accra Regional Football Association (GARFA) Division Two."
marco wright
Gastonia, NC
Campbell
Forward
Before Maryland: Marco Wright joins Maryland after playing three seasons at Campbell University. Wright was named All-CAA First Team in 2025 as he finished second on the team in points with five goals and four assists. Wright led the team in shots with 33 in 2025. Across his three seasons at Campbell, Wright scored six goals and recorded 10 assists while playing in 49 matches. Before college, Wright attended Gaston Day in his hometown of Gastonia, N.C. He played four years on varsity team under coach Greg Lekavich and scored a school record 97 goals during his prep career, including record 44 his junior season and led the school to three NCISAA 2A state championships.
Head Coach Sasho Cirovski: "Marco is a proven D1 dynamic and fluid attacking player. He has scored some big goals against very good competition in college. He is comfortable playing anywhere on the front line. His pace and technical ability make him a threat anytime he has the ball at his feet or when he has an option to receive a pass in behind. His work rate and pressing ability are a perfect fit for our style of play."
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