As the glow of signing day draws ever closer, TopDrawerSoccer.com’s review of some of the top conference’s recruiting breakdowns rolls on. Today, the Ivy League men’s classes get a closer inspection. Recruiting players into the nation’s most stringent academic conference has its share of difficulties, but each of the eight teams dipped deep into the Development Academy to shore up glaring weaknesses.
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Chase BishovCommitments: D James Myall (Chicago Fire Academy), D Gabe Welp (CUP Gold), D Louis Zingas (Crew Wolves), M/D Quinn English (Bavarian SC), D/M Trey Thomas (Eagle FC)
Brown, which had the second-most pre-signing day verbals of anyone in the conference, went heavy on the defensive side in this class. All five announced signings thus far are either defenders or holding midfielders, which will help fortify a defense that gave up 21 goals last year. Defender James Myall is probably the jewell of the class so far. He’s a starting outside back for the Chicago Fire U18 side and could conceivably slot in quickly at the college level. Louis Zingas is a starting defender for Wolves and has a goal in 14 appearances so far this year.
Commitments: GK Zach Adler (Match Fit), M Frankie Agrest (Beachside SC), F Arthur Bosua (Albertson SC)
Three tiers of the field are represented here, and the commit they chiseled down in the attacking third is the most impressive of the lot. Arthur Bosua has lifted Albertson SC to second place in the U18 Northeast Division with an impressive 12 goals in 13 games. That record puts him in fourth place on the scoring chart in the entire Development Academy, just two goals off the top pace. The strapping striker comes into a side that was already second in the Ivy League in goals scored in 2013.
Commitments: D Allen Michael Capo (Concorde Fire), D Eric Nuss (Revolution Empire), M Jonathan Cullom (Richmond Strikers)
Cornell raided Atlantic Coast Development Academy sides to set the foundation for its 2014 class, which could still grow. Capo is a starting defender for a Concorde Fire side that’s given up just 15 goals in 17 games, one of the best returns in the entire academy. Eric Nuss is also a regular starter with Empire, but the gem so far is probably versatile midfielder Jonathan Cullom. His five goals in 12 games this year is second on the team, and his natural ability on the left should give him a niche at the next level.
