USF Athletics

USF Men's Soccer Adds 12 Newcomers to 2021 Roster

August 12, 2021

TAMPA (Aug. 12, 2021) – University of South Florida head men's soccer coach Bob Butehorn has announced the addition of 12 newcomers that joined the Bulls' roster for the first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 10.
 
Of the 12 new student-athletes, all listed below, four hail from the Tampa Bay area and one from Orlando.
 
Nicolas Scargle
6-foot-1 – Center back
Clearwater, Fla.
Clearwater Chargers

Nicolas Scargle, a defender from Clearwater, Fla, grew up playing for Tampa Bay United (TBU) and was teammates with current Bull Jeffrey "JT" Copper. While at TBU, Scargle and his team, enjoyed tremendous success, including winning the Florida State Cup title in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, TBU not only claimed the State Cup, but also the USYS Region 3 Championship, and the USYS National Championship. Scargle took his talents to the Clearwater Chargers where he played with the academy team and started 37 games over two years. Since July of 2019, he has spent time training with academies in Portugal and Colombia, and with FC Dallas Academy and their USL affiliate North Texas SC. 

Coach Butehorn on Nicolas – "Nicolas is well-traveled and experienced for a local product. His technical ability, composure on the ball, and instincts defensively are qualities that stand out when he's on the pitch. Nicolas has been with us since January of 2021 which has been fantastic for his acclimation to the demands of being a student-athlete." 

Why USF – "I chose USF because when I was on campus it felt like home and they had great facilities. They have a great soccer program, and it's a great academic school. In addition, it's close to home. Go bulls!"

Jackson Weyman
6-foot-1 – Goalkeeper
Evanston, Ill.
Chicago Fire Academy

A goalkeeper from Evanston, Ill., Jackson Weyman comes to USF as a transfer student from Marquette University. Weyman accumulated a 4-5-1 record across 10 games during his time at Marquette. He also amassed BIG EAST Goalkeeper and Freshman of the week awards on two separate occasions along with BIG EAST All-Academic honors twice from 2018 to 2020. Before Marquette, Weyman suited up for Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire Academy (Chicago Fire FC) for four years and has been called in to train with the Chicago Fire FC first-team consistently throughout his college career.

Coach Butehorn on Jackson – "Jackson has previous experience in the college game that will be very valuable for us this season. He has a great body of work in his career thus far but from our perspective, he has only scratched the surface of his potential."

Why USF – "I chose USF because, from my initial visit, the entire coaching staff has been committed to developing me to the next level on and off the field and to building a championship team. Also, the Muma College of Business offers lots of innovative concentrations in my Marketing major. The team culture is awesome, and I can't wait to win with these guys."

Ralph Montero
6-foot-3 – Goalkeeper
Miami, Fla.
Weston FC

Ralph Montero, a goalkeeper from Weston, Fla., has most recently played for both the U19 and United Soccer League Two (USL2) sides at Weston FC. Montero had 10 starts over two seasons for Weston's USL2 side, made up of mostly college and semi-professional players.  While playing for Weston, Montero drew interest from Inter Miami FC of Major League Soccer. He was invited to train and play with the academy at Inter Miami FC and their reserve side, Fort Lauderdale CF, competing in the United Soccer League (USL).

Coach Butehorn on Ralph – "Ralph is a young goalkeeper prospect that we rate very highly. He is as athletic as they come, has a strong technical foundation, and is a fantastic shot-stopper. Our program has a rich history of producing great goalkeepers and we are confident Ralph will be another great addition to this legacy."

Why USF – "I chose USF because of the unique diversity within the entire organization. The staff and the players have all been extremely welcoming through this new journey. USF is an amazing organization to pursue my academic and athletic career at the top level."

Andres Freire
6-foot-1 – Striker
Sarasota, Fla.
Clearwater Chargers

Andres Freire is a striker from Sarasota, Fla. that played most recently with the Clearwater Chargers. Freire led the United States Soccer Developmental Academy (USSDA) in scoring, with 11 goals in nine games in the 2019-2020 season. Freire has drawn the interest of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and has been called in to train with the first team on multiple occasions.
Coach Butehorn on Andres – "Andres will be an impactful attacking piece for us. His ability to finish in multiple ways and his eagerness to learn are qualities that will make his transition to the college game seamless."

Why USF – "I chose USF as the next step of my soccer career because I wanted to be in a winning environment and I wanted to surround myself with people that had the same goals in mind as me. I believe USF is one of the top soccer programs in Florida and in the nation. Playing for USF has been a dream of mine since I started playing academy soccer and when the opportunity presented itself, I simply couldn't turn it down."
 
Chris Lee
6-foot-1 – Midfielder
Thornhill, Ontario
Vaughn Soccer Club

Chris Lee is a midfielder from Thornhill, Ontario, and played for the Vaughn Soccer Club with fellow recruit, Ben Kaplan. Lee has also represented and captained Team Ontario during his youth career.
Coach Butehorn on Chris – "Chris is a versatile attacking player that comes to us highly regarded. His technical ability with the ball whether dribbling or passing will be impactful for the program."

Why USF – "I chose USF because of the exceptional academic program along with the competitive athletic program. With the dream of playing professional soccer, I felt that USF would be a great next step in my career to help prepare and propel myself to becoming a professional. Along with all that, I very felt comfortable with the coaching staff and loved the beautiful facilities."

Gabrielle Privitera
5-foot-7 – Midfielder
Orlando, Fla.
Barton Community College

A native of Venezuela, Gabrielle Privitera is a midfielder who currently resides in Orlando. Privitera comes to Tampa by way of Barton Community College (BCC), in Kansas, where he collected 20 goals and 20 assists in 31 games played over two seasons. Privitera was named to the 2020-21 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I 2^nd Team All-American list after leading BCC to the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament.

Coach Butehorn on Gabrielle – "Gabrielle comes to us after two very successful seasons at Barton Community College. His technical abilities and vision to find the final pass and score goals will be crucial for us in the attacking third."

Why USF – "I chose USF because I think it is the best place where I can keep growing in every aspect of my life. The USF Men's Soccer Program gives me the opportunity to achieve my goals in my athletic and academic career and it is such a blessing for me to belong to the Bulls family."
 
Joergen Thue Kristiansen
6-foot-0 – Center Midfielder
Holmestrand, Norway
Stabæk IF

Joergen Thue Kristiansen is a center midfielder from Holmestrand, Norway, and comes to Tampa after spending time with Stabæk IF, of the Eliteserien, the highest level of soccer in Norway. Historically, Stabæk IF is a very important club both in Norway and Europe. He arrives in Tampa with a strong understanding of what it means to compete at a high level.

Coach Butehorn on Joergen – "Joergen comes from a great club in Stabæk IF. Joergen will do important work for us in the midfield over the next four years. He positions himself well defensively and understands how to dictate the game with his range of passing."

Why USF – "I chose USF because I wanted to be a part of a team that's competitive and capable of beating anyone. Out of several exciting opportunities, USF impressed me the most. A perfect match in pursuing my soccer ambitions."

Marcus Victorio
6-foot-0 – Winger
Baerum, Norway
Sandefjord Fotball

Marcus Victorio, a winger from Baerum, Norway, played most recently for Sandefjord Fotball of the Eliteserien, the same league that fellow recruit, Joergen Thue Kristiansen competed in. Previously, Victorio played for the reserves of Vålerenga IF, another Eliteserien club. Victorio amassed nine appearances and three goals during his time with Vålerenga IF.

Coach Butehorn on Marcus – "Marcus is a dynamic winger with a range of attacking options. Marcus is another one of our players with the ability to score goals consistently. His work rate and eye for the goal will be very impactful for us for years to come."

Why USF – "The USF Men's Soccer Program is a really good group of guys and the facilities are amazing. It is a great place to develop as a soccer player and Tampa is a great city to live in."


Alexander Lubas
5-foot-11 – Midfielder
Sarasota, Fla.
Clearwater Chargers

Alexander Lubas is a midfielder from Sarasota, Fla., and played for the Clearwater Chargers with fellow recruit, Andres Freire. Lubas brings a wealth of experience from training periods and playing opportunities in both Denmark and the Netherlands throughout his youth career.

Coach Butehorn on Alex – "Alex is an intelligent midfielder with a good engine. He covers ground, has a strong range of passing, and checks a lot of boxes for what we look for in a player for our program."

Why USF – "I chose USF because it's been a dream of mine ever since I was little. I used to watch games at Corbett and wished to be on that field. I also just love the environment of Tampa and the rigor of both academics and athletics at USF."

Julio Plata
5-foot-10 – Midfielder
Tampa, Fla.
Tampa Bay United

Julio Plata is a midfielder from Tampa, Fla., and suited up at Tampa Bay United (TBU) and signed an academy contract for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL. Plata made his first-team debut in a preseason match for the Rowdies at 16 years old and arrives at USF with a wealth of experience in high-level soccer environments. Plata also spent time in England at Brooke House College.
 
Coach Butehorn on Julio – "JP finds good pockets of space in the attacking third and has the final product to make things difficult for our opponents. His experiences with the Rowdies and internationally will make his transition to college soccer a smooth one."

Why USF – "I chose USF to continue working at a high level on and off the pitch. Also being able to stay in Tampa close to my family and friends during these difficult times was something I couldn't pass." 

Joel Brown
5-foot-10 – Defender
Elkridge, Md.
Baltimore Armour

Joel Brown, a defender from Elkridge, Md., played for the Baltimore Armour, following former USF Bull and current pro, Avionne Flanagan. Brown has been called into multiple US Youth National Team ID centers and adds strong depth on the backline.

Coach Butehorn on Joel – "Joel is a strong defender with fantastic athletic abilities. He has a great work rate and can fit into the fold in a few different positions that provide important depth for us."

Why USF – "I chose USF because there were a lot of connecting dots toward the school. Growing up in Maryland I always watched a player who played the same position as me, he later chose USF as his home for the next 4 years, and that's what really put the school on the map for me. As time went on, I felt USF provided a great soccer program as well as taking academics in a serious manor. So, my family and I felt it was the best place for me."

Ben Kaplan
5-foot 11 – Center Back / Right Back
Richmond Hill, Ont.
Vaughn Soccer Club

Ben Kaplan is a defender from Richmond Hill, Ontario. Kaplan has played for various clubs in Ontario including, Woodbridge SC, Toronto FC Academy (TFC), and most recently, Vaughn Soccer Club. Kaplan co-captained TFC Academy to a 2019 Dallas Cup Championship and has represented both Canada and TFC internationally on multiple occasions.

Coach Butehorn on Ben – "Ben is an intelligent defender and has the profile to develop into a strong leader in our program. He comes highly regarded from Toronto and will be a valuable addition to the program."

Why USF – "I chose USF because I felt it was the best place for me to advance both my academic and athletic careers. USF's first-class facilities, coaching staff, and competitive conference made coming to the school a no-brainer for me."
 
About USF Men's Soccer
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USF Men's Soccer competed in the school's first ever intercollegiate athletic contest on Sept. 25, 1965, beating Florida Southern 4-3. Since then, the oldest program on campus has built a winning tradition, claiming 14 conference championships and making 21 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 3 trips to the elite eight.
 
The program also has a strong reputation within the professional game and boasts 29 MLS draft picks. Notable alumni include two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham, USA 1994 World Cup star Roy Wegerle, and 2013 MLS Cup winner Dom Dwyer.
 
The Bulls have advanced to the postseason in 18 of the past 20 years, including 12 NCAA Tournament appearances during that period.
 
USF Soccer concluded the 2020 season with four players earning AAC honors, highlighted by first first-team selection Josue Monge and Salvatore Mazzaferro who was tabbed a second-team selection. Also, Oscar Resano and Brian Schaefer were named to the American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team. Head coach Bob Butehorn returns to lead USF in his fifth season on the sidelines.