Banks Releases First Portion of Chicago State Men's Soccer Class

Head coach Trevor Banks has announced the first part of Chicago State University's 2020-21 men's soccer class.
 
The group makes up the first-ever Division I class in men's soccer at Chicago State. This spring, the Cougars will become the first athletes at the university to compete in men's soccer since the 1980s.
 
"This has been an exciting group to put together, and we're not done," Banks said. "I have a lot of guys coming that are integral pieces and even more guys who I believe have the potential to develop into key pieces of success for Chicago State men's soccer. I was fortunate to have some of them already with us in the fall, so they understand what my expectations are.
 
"The guys that have been on campus are meshing well, so it only adds more excitement to the rest of the group's spring arrival. It's exciting to know that each player on this list adds something different that boosts the caliber of this team. It's going to be a great start to the Championship Era for men's soccer here at Chicago State University."
 
Marco Seyfert - Junior
Hometown: Daxweiler, Germany
Previous School: Barton Community College
Banks: "I'm super excited about Marco stepping foot on campus. He has played at a very high level both internationally as well as here in the United States. Marco will add valuable experience and leadership to the young group that is coming in."
 
Sebastian Montoya - Freshman
Hometown: Berwyn, Illinois
Previous School: Morton West High School
Banks: "Sebastian is a solid local goalkeeper who I'm excited to watch develop over the next four years. He brings a hard-working Chicago mentality to the team. I'm looking forward to working with him"
 
Jacob Huber - Junior
Hometown: Marion, Indiana
Previous School: Indiana University East
Banks: "Jacob is an Indiana native transferring to Chicago State. He's got experience at the collegiate level, so I'm very happy to have that experience added to the program."
 
Tayjion Mensah - Freshman
Hometown: Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Previous School: Coon Rapids High School
Banks: "Tayjion is coming in as a freshman who I'm looking forward to watching develop. He's a Minnesota kid who has a very high ceiling and a ridiculous work-rate. Tayjion will add depth and value to our back line."
 
Shaquan Reid - Freshman
Hometown: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Previous School: Cornwall College
Banks: "I'm very happy about Mr. Reid joining us. He's a very talented player, and he'll be an asset to Chicago State in the very near future. Shaquan adds youth international experience to the team, which will be very important as play in some tough matches in the Western Athletic Conference."
 
Eric Cyiza - Freshman
Hometown: Byumba, Rwanda
Previous School: Evanston Township High School
Banks: "Eric comes from Rwanda. He's a great kid who works hard. He was here in the fall of '20, so he understands the expectations. I'm very excited to watch him grow and compete over these four years."
 
Matt Loveland - Junior
Hometown: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Previous School: University of British Columbia
Banks: "Coming from north of the border, Matt brings a tenacious hard-working fighter mentality to the program. He's an older guy, so he has experience playing at a very high level. I'm excited to see what he brings to the table, as I expect him to lead both on and off the field."
 
Jethro Yumanage - Freshman
Hometown: Wewak, Papua New Guinea
Previous School: South Coast Baptist College
Banks: "Jethro is an exciting young player from Australia. He's quick and a bit of a pest when he is on the field, so that will frustrate some teams we play. Jethro is going to be a fun, exciting player who will grow to be a terror in the Western Athletic Conference."
 
Josh Valeriano - Freshman
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Previous School: Evans High School
Banks: "Josh is one of two brothers coming in from Orlando. He's a technical player who works hard and will give us midfield depth."
 
Mizael Valeriano - Freshman
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Previous School: Evans High School
Banks: "Mizael adds more midfield depth to our team, as well. He's a young player who is super technical and quick. I'm excited to see how he progresses."
 
Aaron Moreno - Freshman
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Previous School: St. Patrick High School
Banks: "Aaron is another local product. I'm excited to see how he grows over the years. He had a lot of high school success, so I'm excited to see how that translates to the college game."
 
Ricordo McKenzie - Graduate Student
Hometown: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Previous School: Cornwall College
Banks: "Coming over from the track & field team, Ricordo is one of the hardest-working men I know. If he had played soccer his whole life, he'd probably be in the pros. He is a Cougar through and through, I'm super excited to have his energy apart of the men's soccer program here at Chicago State."
 
Olesson Cesalien - Senior
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Previous School: Evans High School
Banks: "When I first arrived, I remembered Olesson from his Orlando days. It's exciting to have someone already on campus, from the track & field team, who has played the sport at a high youth level. He will only be with us for one year, but I'm excited to watch what he will be able to do in his time."
 
Rahim Burrell - Junior
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Previous School: Calabar High School
Banks: "Rahim is another guy from the track & field team. He was also with us this fall, and I'm excited to have him aboard."
 
Kevin Vargas - Freshman
Hometown: Central Falls, Rhode Island
Previous School: Blackstone Academy Charter School
Banks: "I'm super excited Kevin is here. He was the first commit for me here at Chicago State. I've known Kevin since he was an 8^th grade, he was a very important part of the Bruno United NPL '02 run to the 2019 U.S. Club Soccer national finals. Kevin will add a lot to this program over the next four years. I can't wait to see it play out."
 
Dominick George - Sophomore
Hometown: Portage, Indiana
Previous School: Lake Erie College
Banks: "Dominick is a big, physical specimen. I love Dominick. He works hard and understands the direction we're going. This spring will be good for him as he will grow a lot with the other players around him."
 
Widlens Dorcent - Freshman
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Previous School: Evans High School
Banks: "Widlens is a great kid coming out of Orlando. He worked hard to earn this opportunity and he's going to be an asset to our young core coming in. I'm very excited to watch him grow over these four years."
 
Kaleb Greene - Freshman
Hometown: Claremont, California
Previous School: Claremont High School
Banks: "I've known Kaleb for a few years now. I'm excited I was able to get him to come to Chicago State all the way from California. Kaleb has the ability to be a starter right away, and I can't wait to see how he continues to develop."
 
Pape Cheikh Thiam - Senior
Hometown: Dakar, Senegal
Previous School: Governors State University
Banks: "Pape is going to have one year with us. I'm extremely excited to watch him in this small time with our program. He's a hard-working guy who will give us some good skill and leadership to the program"
 
The men's soccer program will officially report to campus on January 16, 2021. The Cougars begin official training on January 30, after a 14-day quarantine. The team will then open up a spring 2021 during the third week of February.
 
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