Four new programs are analyzed – let’s get to it.

Penn State
Signees: Randy Falk (PDA), Owen Griffith (Penn Fusion), Kyle MacDonald (YMS Thunder), Danny Sheerin (Bethesda SC), Doug Stevenson (KCFC Alliance), Andrew Wolverton (Concorde Fire),
Skinny: The size of the Nittany Lions class is a little misleading seeing as how the group will welcome in five transfers in 2011. Of the six new freshmen making their arrival, Wolverton is a standout. Ranked No. 66 on our Top 100, the Concorde Fire goaltender is a heralded and ambitious player who has cited making the Big Ten All Freshmen Team as a goal of his.

Joining him will be defenders Falk and Griffith who are both tough and good in the air. Stevenson and MacDonald are a pair of midfielders who could bring a change of pace to the Nittany Lions. Sheerin is another goalkeeper who will be vying for playing time in what should be a competitive training atmosphere.

Among the new Penn State transfers is Hasani Sinclair. He showed flashes of promise at USF(m) where he made the Big East All-Rookie team after tying for the team lead in points back in 2009.

Brown
Signees: Tommy Arns (Sockers FC), Alex Carr (New Zealand), Mitch Kupstas (Concorde Fire), Jordan Mandelbaum (Real So Cal), Ben Maurey (FC Delco), Daniel Taylor (South Central Premier Academy)
Skinny: Brown enjoyed a nice run into the NCAA Tournament last season and will return with a solid core of freshmen arrivals. Maurey (No. 11 in the Pennsylvania Region) and Arns (No. 12 in the Midwest Region) are both skilled midfielders who will bring depth to the Bears. Each has shown the ability to dictate possessions for their teams as well as score goals.

Defender Mandelbaum and goalkeeper Kupstas also arrive from the Development Academy and can help to sure up the defense. Kupstas has great experience, having made international appearances during his club career. Speaking of international talent, Carr is another netminder who arrives from New Zealand.

Loyola (MD)
Signees: Joey Cahalan (Baltimore Bays), Connor Thompson (Swindon, England), Joey Wilkins (D.C. United)
Skinny: The Greyhounds have a small incoming class this season, which likely means they have adequate returning contributors.

Cahalan is a dependable defender who has been a staple in the Baltimore Bays lineup – a highly successful Bays lineup, we might add. He helped lead his team to consecutive U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships and coach Mark Mettrick has said he can see Cahalan thriving as a left back or midfielder. Wilkins is another top notch defender who also comes from the Development Academy. He’s a team captain and a hard-working player who should fit in nicely with the program’s style of play.

Thompson, of England, is an attacking player who possesses creativity. He could be the wild card of this group.

Marquette
Signees: Sebastian Jansson (Sodertalje, Sweden), Axel Sjoberg (Stockholm, Sweden), Kelmend Islami (FC Milwaukee), James Nortey (Accra, Ghana)
Skinny: Three-quarters of the Golden Eagles’ class is of the international variety. Sweden’s Sjoberg will stand out because of his 6-foot-7 build. Marquette will plug him at central defender and let his athleticism and versatility – he used to play winger – shine through. The program is counting on him to be a quality ball stopper. Fellow Swede Jansson is a left-footed attacker who could also see some time at left back. Nortey, of Ghana, is a dynamic and creative attacker who can run at defenders and create opportunities.  

Islami is a quick and exciting goal-scorer who can infuse life into a match when he steps on the field. Marquette had very few seniors on its 2010 roster and should be able to build with its growing core.