MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's soccer team will welcome a plethora of talent in the fall with the newest signing class. Head coach
John Trask announced on Tuesday the addition of eight student-athletes who have signed national letters of intent.
The program's additions are
Alex Alfaro (Arlington Heights, Ill.),
Bradan Allen (Indianapolis, Ind.),
Brayden Callipari (Batavia, Ill.),
Zach Klancnik (Arlington Heights, Ill.),
Ben Leas (Elm Grove, Wis.),
Robin Olofsson (Stockholm, Sweden),
David Portugal (Chicago, Ill.) and
Patrick Yim (Arlington Heights, Ill.).
"The 2017 men's soccer recruits are a talented and academically gifted group," head coach
John Trask said. "With many upperclassmen, these young players will compete and learn from an outstanding group of players and we feel that more than a couple will compete for playing time immediately.
"This team is without question the deepest team we've put together here at UW and the competition for playing time will be fierce. I would like to formally welcome all these outstanding young men to the Badger family and look forward to working with them in the coming years to reach their goals on and off the field."
Alex Alfaro
Alex Alfaro is a member of FC United, the current and two-time IYSA state cup champions. The 5-10 midfielder has been invited to the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Training camp six times and the ID2 camp in addition to his multiple international touring experiences, which include El Salvador (1999-2014), Mexico (2011, 2013, 2015) and the Dominican Republic (2016). The Arlington Heights, Illinois, native is a two-time all-conference selection for Buffalo Grove High School. The team earned regional champion status in Alfaro's freshman and sophomore season and won their conference in his junior year. He was also named all-area and all-sectional as a senior. Alfaro also competed in Tae Kwon Do, kick boxing and track and field, where he had the fastest district 2214 400-yard dash as a freshman.
Head coach John Trask: "We are very excited to add Alex to our attacking group. His sophistication, work rate and quality will allow Alex to play in multiple spots. Alex is an excellent student and we are very happy to have his family and him join the Badger men's soccer family for his collegiate career."
Associate head coach Keith Tiemeyer: "Alex is a product of FC United in the Chicago area where he has been coached by Yianni Caparos. Alex has excellent physical attributes and combines outstanding technical ability with those physical tools. He brings style and substance to the attacking third of the field where he can play multiple positions."
Why Wisconsin?
"Wisconsin has the best mixture of education, sports and city like environment. It was the place I felt most comfortable."
Bradan Allen
A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Bradan Allen has had a wealth of success playing nearby at Middleton High School for Ben Kollasch and the Cardinals. He ranks second all-time in Middleton High School history in both points (206) and goals (87). He played 74 games in his high school career and also tallied 30 assists. In his senior season, he was named first-team all-conference, first-team all-area and first-team all-state after playing in 23 games and logging 31 goals, 11 assists and 73 points. The two-time team captain was named the team's Most Valuable Attacker for the third year in a row and was named the Wisconsin State Journal Madison Area Player of the Year.
As a junior, Allen was named the Big Eight Conference Player of the Year after guiding Middleton to another successful season where he played in 20 games and scored 33 goals along with seven assists for a total of 73 points on the year. He started his career with a bang as a sophomore, earning his first first-team all-conference honor and all-state honorable mention after scoring 13 goals and six assists for 32 points in 18 games.
Why Wisconsin?
"I strongly believe Wisconsin will be able to fully develop my skills in the classroom, on the field and as a person. The University of Wisconsin-Madison soccer team carries a great deal of legacy, and I would be more than humbled to carry on the legacy the Badgers have to offer in such a well-respected conference."
Head coach John Trask: "Bradan brings pace and dynamic ability as well as a very good left foot. His ability to break down defenders off the dribble and off the ball is something that all college programs are looking for. As always, it's nice to see a locally developed player join us and the coaches at both Madison Rush and FC Wisconsin have done a great job preparing Bradan for Big Ten soccer."
Associate head coach Keith Tiemeyer: "Bradan has had great success the past couple seasons locally at Middleton High School and has also been successful with the FC Wisconsin Nationals. As an attacker, he has an excellent engine and outstanding speed which allows him to open up opposing defenses. It will be exciting see Bradan's development over the coming seasons at UW."
Brayden Callipari
Brayden Callipari has played seven years with the Chicago Fire Academy including all four years of high school. The Batavia, Illinois, native has used the Fire for as a stepping stone to gain experience and success in his soccer career. As a sophomore on the U-16 team, Callipari traveled to Mexico City for the Liga BBVA Bancomer tournament championship. He was named captain on a U-16 team that made it to the national championship in Carson, California. In his seventh year with the Fire as a senior, Callipari was chosen part of a group to train with the Argentina National team.
Why Wisconsin?
"I want to be a part of their nationally ranked soccer program as well as challenge myself academically at one of the most prestigious schools in the country."
Head coach John Trask: "Brayden is one of two Chicago Fire Academy players set to join us in 2017. Brayden brings a tenacity and quality we look for from our wide backs and has the potential to be on the field this coming fall."
Associate head coach Keith Tiemeyer: "Brayden joins the Badgers from the Chicago Fire Academy where he was teammates with fellow signee David Portugal. Brayden is an aggressive defender that can cover lots of ground on the left flank and is also a solid passer and server of the ball. Brayden has a good mind for the game as he is the son of a former player and current high school soccer coach."
Zach Klancnik
A standout defender from Arlington Heights, Illinois, Zach Klancnik is expected to make an immediate impact on the Badgers. Klancnik was a top performer for the Chicago Sockers Academy, attending the Sockers FC European Tour in 2014 for the Iber Cup and Copa Cataluva. He was a member of the Sockers FC U18 Academy as a senior that are in first place in the Mid-America Division. As a junior in the academy, Klancnik was named the Academy Playoff Preview Standout while his team allowed the second-fewest goals in the country. He started 96 percent of the games on his Mid-American Division Champion squad.
In his sophomore season on the FC U15NPL team, he led the team to an undefeated regular season as they eventually became premiership champions, NPL finalists and MDL champions. He was the team captain and leading goal scorer that year. As a freshman, Klancnik was also the FC U-14 NPL captain and leading goal scorer while also leading Rolling Meadows high school to become Varsity Regional Champions.
Why Wisconsin?
"I chose to attend Wisconsin because of the prestigious academics, elite soccer program, family-like coaching staff, and of course the beautiful campus. I knew I would be challenged on and off the field every day, and given the right tools to be successful at UW and beyond."
Head coach John Trask: "Zach is a competitor, who plays for David Richardson and Bret Hall at the Sockers Academy. Zach's character and winning traits are what drew us to him and we feel that he has the potential to be a central defender in the mold of
Sam Brotherton and AJ Cochran who both play professionally."
Associate head coach Keith Tiemeyer: "Zach continues the successful line of Chicago Sockers Academy players to play at Wisconsin. He is a strong, competitive, physically imposing center back with solid defensive principles and good passing range. Zach is a great fit for UW from an academic, social and soccer perspective!"
Ben Leas
Ben Leas is a homegrown talent from Elm Grove, Wisconsin. As a senior, he was named the Wisconsin State Player of the Year, Greater Metro Conference Player of the Year and a high school All-American. Leas played in the 2016 All-American game in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was all-state, first-team all-conference and first-team all-area for Marquette University High School as a junior. In his sophomore season, he received honorable mention first-team all-conference honors. The center back excelled in the classroom as well, making the junior and senior honor roll.
Why Wisconsin?
"I chose to attend Wisconsin because of its prestigious academics, and it has a rich athletic tradition. Along with that tradition, many of my family members have attended."
Head coach John Trask: "Ben was identified through our summer camp program and we feel that Ben is a going to have a great career at UW. Ben's passing and defensive instincts will allow him to have a very successful career."
Associate head coach Keith Tiemeyer: "Ben is a Wisconsin product joining the Badgers after a very successful high school career at Marquette High School under the leadership of Steve Lawrence. Ben was not only a State Champion but also recognized as an All-American during his time at Marquette High. He is an athletic, energetic, "bulldog" type defender who will be counted on to add grit to the backline. Ben is also a teammate of fellow signee, Bradan Allen, at FC Wisconsin where he has been coached by Ben Shepherd and Bill Solberg."
Robin Olofsson
Robin Olofsson, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, will bring a wealth of experience and soccer knowledge to Madison as a transfer from Central Connecticut. Olofsson won the U-17 Top Division in Sweden as a captain where his team won the league by 11 points and had 24 conceded goals in 22 games. He also won the U-19 Top Division in Sweden with nine more points than the second-place team. The U-19 squad was ranked second among all U-19 teams in Sweden in 2014.
Olofsson was invited by AC Siena to a trial and came second in the Gothia Tipselit Cup, the largest youth tournament in the world. The captain of his U-19 team, he played an important role on the U-19 and U-21 teams during 2015 and also train an extensive amount with the first team (Brommapojkarna) which played in the second highest division in Sweden during 2015. Olofsson was invited with his team to Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup in 2014.
Why Wisconsin?
"After doing a lot of research, I chose UW because it's a large school with an outstanding athletic program and an amazing business school. I'm looking forward to combining a high level of education with a high level of soccer, and I'm thrilled to represent the University of Wisconsin men's soccer team."
Head coach John Trask: "Robin will be joining us after a very successful freshman year at Central Connecticut. Robin's leadership, strength in the air and tactical ability will immediately strengthen our back line. Robin had multiple options and we are very happy that he's decided to continue his career at UW."
Associate head coach Keith Tiemeyer: "We are very excited to add Robin to our defensive corps this fall. His passing range and leadership abilities are traits that can benefit our team immediately. Robin has DI experience at Central Connecticut and is ready to step into Big Ten action."
David Portugal
David Portugal is a native of Chicago, where he has played six years with the Chicago Fire Academy. Portugal traveled with the Fire U16 team for the USSDA National Championship in Carson, California. A member of the Generation Adidas MLS Academy All-Star team, Portugal won the Domestic Cup Champion when he was 15 playing on the U17 team. In addition, he also won the Chipotle Home Grown Award with the Chicago Fire. Portugal has received regular invitations to the US Soccer Training Center, partaking in the US Soccer U15 National Team training camp and the US Soccer Academy Select Team for the USSDA Winter Showcase. He also has gained international touring experience with Atlético Madrid Academy Infantil A Team, Nottingham Forest FC Academy, and Birmingham City FC Academy.
Why Wisconsin?
"I chose Wisconsin because of the beautiful campus, excellent business program and the opportunity to play for Coach Trask and the entire coaching staff. I look forward to being a Badger and proudly representing University of Wisconsin."
Head coach John Trask: "David is one of a number of players who I had the chance to work with while coaching youth camps at UIC. David has been a special player since I met him at the age of 5 and the opportunity to work with him in a college setting will be pretty special. David's soccer IQ and passing ability is unquestioned and I look forward to seeing his growth within the program."
Associate head coach Keith Tiemeyer: "David is another Chicago Fire Academy product joining the Badgers. He is a highly technical midfielder who provides his team with an outstanding passing range. David's passing allows him to be a high end connector in the midfield and he is also able to provide incisive passes to teammates that unlock the opposition."
Patrick Yim
A Rolling Meadows, Illinois native, Patrick Yim is an incoming midfielder for the Badgers. A part of the U18 USSDA Sockers FC that allowed the least amount of goals in all of Academy as of Feb. 3, 2017. Captain for Sockers FC that was ranked regionally on TopDrawer Soccer in his junior season, Yim led the team to a 16-1-8 record, a fifth-place finish in Academy and first-place finish in the conference. Yim participated at the US Soccer Training Center during his freshman year and was a member of the Korean-American Chicago Select team in the summer of 2015.
Why Wisconsin?
"UW has a great soccer team with fantastic coaches that will push me to be the best I could be. I will also be receiving high quality education at a renowned institution that will help me succeed in the future."
Head coach John Trask: "Patrick is another north shore Chicago product who comes highly recommended from the Sockers. His attention to detail and versatility will allow him to compete for playing time immediately."
Associate head coach Keith Tiemeyer: – "Patrick is a very versatile midfielder from the Chicago Sockers Academy where he was coached by David Richardson. He has good physical range and competitive fight on the field and combines that with strong technical ability and comfort on the ball. Patrick's versatility will provide us depth in the midfield and in the back line."
