Digging Deeper: A Look At The 2017 Men’s Soccer Team

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Digging Deeper: A Look At The 2017 Men’s Soccer Team

Aug 11, 2017 | Men's Soccer

From upperclassmen to incoming freshmen, Mulrooney’s squad has already gained valuable experience

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's soccer program is now a few days into the 2017 preseason and its first exhibition match is quickly approaching on August 15. Before the Tigers begin play at the Park Avenue Campus next Tuesday against UAH, we're going to dig a little deeper into the summer successes of the returners and newcomers.

Although not all of head coach Richard Mulrooney's squad competed this summer, quite a few did including three incoming freshmen who were crowned USSDA National Champions.

Alex Bruce, Edgar Alaniz, and Bryant Huerta were members of the Texans Soccer Club who won the United States Soccer Development Academy U17/18 National Championship on July 16. The Texans SC became the first USDA Houston squad to ever win the national championship until that day when it defeated LA Galaxy by a score of 2-1. To reach the national championship, Bruce scored and converted on a penalty kick at the end to help defeat the Colorado Rapids.

Another freshman, Luke Biasi, was on UFA squad that won the Region 3 Regionals and made a run in the US Youth Nationals before falling in the semifinal match.

Marcus Brooks, Justyn Thomas, and Zac Zitoli, the Tigers' three freshmen from Canada, were a part of a Vaughan Azzurri squad that was 9-1-1 before their departure to Memphis. Zitoli, with eight goals, was tied for the most goals in the league they were competing in.

Jackson Brady, a freshman from Christchurch, New Zealand, spent his summer training for the New Zealand U20 World Cup team that he was an alternate for. Mitchel Foster competed for Temecula FC where he was a regular starter in goal this summer. Brantley Bice ended his Southmoore High School career with a school-record 86 goals. He was also a member of the Oklahoma City Fighting Imps, an NPSL squad.

Many returners had success this summer as well. Jake Leeker and David Zalzman competed for the Des Moines Menace. Zalzman recorded a hat trick early in the summer and Leeker had the opportunity to train with the MLS' Columbus Crew and Sporting KC.

Mason Morise was a member of the New Orleans Jesters, a squad that finished the summer season undefeated at 8-0-4. Morise was a regular starter and scored a couple of goals and registered three assists for the Jesters.

Hector Cantele, Carlos Hurtado, Alec Velez, and Adam Bruce competed for Nashville FC who qualified for the playoffs. Cantele and Hurtado earned regular starts while Velez and Bruce were crucial reserves for Nashville. Burke Fahling also competed back home this summer for the Seattle Sounders U23 Team and got valuable time training with the S2 team.

The 2017 regular season begins August 25 at Belmont before returning to the Mike Rose Soccer Complex on August 27 for a match against UAB at 5 p.m. Memphis will compete in two home exhibition matches on the Park Avenue Campus against UAH (August 15) and Jefferson College (August 19). Admission is always free for home Memphis soccer matches. Follow the Tigers on Facebook at /MemphisSoccer and Twitter and Instagram at @MemphisMSoccer.