By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, FEB. 4, 2016 – Head coach George Kiefer and the USF men's soccer staff have added some of the top young talent Florida has to offer for next season.
The Bulls have announced the signings of defender Jonathan Rosales (Kissimmee, Fla.) and forward/midfielder Ben Espinal (Palmetto, Fla.). The freshman duo will join a returning group that helped the Bulls go undefeated at home during the 2015 regular season on the way to the program's eighth NCAA tournament appearance in the past nine years.
“One thing we strive on is trying to find the best players in the state and we start there first,” Kiefer said.
Rosales, 17, was selected to play for the U.S. under-17 national team and has been rising up the ranks at Orlando City Soccer Club, which is affiliated with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Rosales played for both of Orlando City's U-16 and U-18 teams last season and was a member of the USSDA 16's East Division Starting XI team.
Rosales spent the 2013-14 season with Orlando City's U-16 team and was a member of the Florida Youth Soccer Association's Premier League championship team in 2013. Prior to Orlando City, Rosales played for Liberty High School in Kissimmee and also spent time with the Florida Rush Nike Team.
“Jonathan is very versatile,” Kiefer said. “We graduated our right-back and I like the way he plays that position because he definitely dives forward at the right time. He's got good feet and he's certainly a guy that will be looked at in that spot.”
Espinal, 17, is originally from Tampa and currently plays for Chargers Soccer Club, which primarily draws talent from the Bay Area. Espinal was the leading scorer for the Chargers' U-15/16 team last season with 20 goals and he played in the USSDA Winter Showcase select team game. Espinal also had the honor of playing for the Region III 98 team that made an international trip to Mexico.
“Ben is a great player from the Chargers and we've had great players from the club in the past with Ben Sweat, Wesley Charpie and others,” Kiefer said.
Prior to joining Chargers Soccer Club, Espinal played two seasons of varsity soccer for former head coach Dustin Dahlquist at Palmetto High School. Espinal led Palmetto to two district titles, a regional championship and an appearance in the state semifinals.
“Ben is a really dynamic, wide player. He's got really clean feet and he's a good soccer player,” Kiefer said.
The men's soccer program has been one of the most successful on campus over the years, advancing to eight NCAA tournaments in the last nine seasons. The Bulls won the inaugural American Athletic Conference Championship in 2013 and head coach George Kiefer has also led the Bulls to two Elite Eight appearances and four conference/division titles in his 14 seasons as the head man. Follow the men's soccer team on Twitter @USFMSoc and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
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