The Manhattan Jaspers men's soccer program has unveiled a 28‑player recruiting class that will join the squad for the 2026 season, a move that underscores the team's ambition to blend athletic excellence with academic rigor.
The incoming class reflects a truly international tapestry, with athletes hailing from Europe, Asia, and across the United States, each drawn by the university's reputation for strong soccer competition and its vibrant New York City setting.
A Global Talent Pool
Among the newcomers is Gal Puconja, a midfielder from Ljubljana, Slovenia, who honed his game at Gymnasium Šiška and the University of Ljubljana, while Khaled Daoud, a forward from Brooklyn, NY, brings experience from NJIT and a desire to be part of a winning program.
Defender Cohen Fritz from Edina, MN, adds a dual‑sport background in soccer and hockey, and Chain Julian Jang from Seoul, South Korea, arrives after a standout high school career and ECNL participation.
Midfielder Pau Mascarell from Valencia, Spain, chose Manhattan for its academic prestige and business program, while Bjorn Asmundsson from Akranes, Iceland, sees an opportunity to merge his education with top‑level soccer in the city.
The roster also features Marko Matesic of Riverdale, NY, a Catholic‑school graduate seeking an elite soccer environment, and Andrea Campoli from Rome, Italy, who played at NJIT and Liceo Santa Rosa with title aspirations.
Goalkeeper Philip Isaksson from Stockholm, Sweden, brings Scandinavian championship experience, and Eliot Melgar from New York, NY, returns home after excelling in both soccer and track.
Additional recruits include Nicolo Donadio, another Roman defender, Gaspar Homar Bennasar from Alaro, Spain, who trained with RCD Mallorca, and Cristiano Marsilii, a forward with extensive Italian club experience.
The class also welcomes Tycho van Haaren from Doetinchem, Netherlands, Allen Rivera from Secaucus, NJ, Nicky Rana from Whitestone, NY, and Logan Colella from Lake Worth, FL, each citing the program's competitive edge and academic strengths.
Coaches say the blend of seasoned collegiate players and fresh international talent positions the Jaspers to contend for championships while maintaining high academic standards, a combination that could reshape the program's trajectory in the coming years.