Meet the 2012 USF Men's Soccer Team

Soccer fever is back USF fans and after the team made an elite 8 run last season, the team returns to the field with a few new faces as they look to return to the postseason.  Dom Dwyer and Chris Blais are gone, but the 2012 team has a strong returning group of players and a few new comers such as Edwin Moalosi that will make an impact this year.

Roberto Alterio - 5-10 - 172-pounds - Sophomore - Midfielder - Caracas, Venezuela (Carcas FC)

Alterio jumped right into the mix during his freshman campaign, appearing in 15 games for the Bulls, totaling 1 goal on 6 shots (2 shots on goal) and added 1 assist as well.  With his experience with the team that made it to the Elite 8 last season, we should expect more production from Alterio in year 2 and could see a breakout season for him.

Luis Avila - 5-9 150-pounds - Junior - Defender - Caracas Venezuela (Colegio Jefferson HS)

Avila appeared in just 1 game last season.  The team will look for him to get more playing time as they reload on the defensive side of the field.  Avila is a very experienced player who spent time as a member of the Venezuelan U-15 and U-17 teams before coming to USF.

Lucas Baldin - 5-8 150-pounds - Sophomore - Midfielder - Taubate, Brazil (Peterson Hojas Preparatoria SC)

Baldin appeared in 20 games last season for the Bulls, scoring 2 goals (14 shots and 5 shots on goal) including the game winner against WVU.  Bladin is another young player that got a lot of experience during his freshman campaign and will be expected to lead the way again on offense for the Bulls.

Wesley Charpie - 6-0 164-pounds - Midfielder - Sophomore - Tarpon Springs, FL (Tarpon Springs HS)

Charpie burst onto the scene last season, appearing in 17 games for the Bulls.  He totaled 2 goals and 6 assists during his playing time and truly took control of the center of the field and helped lead a consistent attack on offense.  With a year under his belt, look for Charpie to see even more playing time and become an all around player for the team.


Brandon Curriston - 5-10 155-pounds - Junior - Midfielder - Niceville, FL (Niceville HS)

Curriston did not play in any games last season and will be primarily a reserve this season for the Bulls (appeared in just one game back in 2010 as well).

Ashani Fairclough - 6-2 165-pounds - Senior - Defender/Midfielder - Portmore, Jamaica (Wolmer's Boys High School)

Fairclough can do it all for the Bulls, from leading the offense to getting back on defense.  Last season, he scored 1 goals on 3 shots (1 shot on goal) and added 4 assists while getting back on defense.  With a new goalkeeper in net this season, look for Fairclough to be a key piece to the  defensive line but also to be a leader on the attack for the offense.  He is a versatile player that will be a key to the success of the team in 2012.

Isaiah Ferguson - 5-8 145-pounds - Junior - Midfielder - Port St. Lucie, FL (Treasure Coast HS) (USC Upstate College)

Ferguson appeared in one game last season after transferring from USC Upstate College.  He will help add depth to the midfielder position and should see action this season.

Brenton Griffiths - 6-3 164-pounds - Defender - Senior - Spanish Towne, Jamaica (Glenmuir HS)(Tyler Junior College)

Griffiths appeared in 21 games for the Bulls last season, joining fellow Tyler JC teammates Dom Dwyer and Kyle Nicholls. Griffiths scored 2 goals and added 1 assist last season while anchoring the defensive backline.  With a new goalkeeper in net this season, the Bulls will need Griffiths to emerge as the vocal and physical leader on the field and have a great season to help the team's defense.

Gerardo Hernandez - 5-8 140-pounds - Midfielder - Sophomore - Caracas, Venezuela (Henry Clay HS)

Hernandez, a 2-year starter for his high school, sat out last season for the Bulls.  He will primarily be a reserve for the team this season. 

Dallas Jaye - 6-0 175-pounds - Goalkeeper - Sophomore - Danville, CA (Sam Ramon Valley HS)

Jaye, ranked the 47th best player by TopDrawerSoccer.com two seasons ago coming out of high school and was a 4-year starter for his high school team and also the goalkeeper for the Guam national team.  He brings a lot of experience and could be the man in net this season.  The Bulls will need someone to fill the void left behind by Chris Blais and with Jaye's background, he get the job, but he is raw and will have to battle for the position this year.

Gerardo Hernandez - 5-8 140-pounds - Midfielder - Sophomore - Caracas, Venezuela (Henry Clay HS)

Hernandez appeared in just 2 games last season as a reserve. He will see increased minutes this season, but will be primarily a reserve once again.

Marius Krathe - 6-3 180-pounds - Defender - Junior - Saltnes, Norway (St. Olaw Viderecgaende HS)

Krathe, a very experienced player, only saw action in 9 games last season.  In 2010, he appeared in 18 games and totaled 3 assists.  He has solid size and a lot of experience, so look for Kiefer to get him more involved this season off the bench to help anchor the backline and protect the new goalkeeper.

Kyle Nicholls - 5-9 156-pounds - Midfielder - Senior - Kings Lynn, England (Tyler Junior College)

Nicholls, another Tyler JC transfer, appeared in 21 games last season for the Bulls, totaling 2 assists and took 7 shot attempts on the season.  Nicholls is a skilled player that moves the ball, possess excellent footwork, and can lead the offensive attack for the Bulls.  Look for him to become an even bigger factor in 2012 during his senior campaign and help set more offensive looks for his teammates.

Kevin Olali - 5-8 140-pounds - Midfielder/Forward - Senior - Plano, TX (Plano East HS)

Olali continued his maturation in 2011, appearing in 21 games in which he netted just 1 goal and added 2 assists.  Back in 2010, he scored just 1 goal and appeared in just 17 games, showing his experience and work is paying off as he continues to see increased playing time.  Playing both MF and F allows  him to move all over the field for the Bulls and he can attack on offense and set others up.  Olali will continue his role of coming off the bench for the Bulls and giving them a solid, experienced attacker that can lead the offense at any time.

Eric Osswald - 6-3 185-pounds - Goalkeeper - Junior - Powell, OH (Olentangy Liberty HS)

Osswald did not record a stats last season, sitting behind Blais on the depth chart, but has been with the program for 3  years now and could be the man to beat in net this season.  The Bulls will have to solve the GK question this season and with his experience and size, he could get the nod if he is able to prove himself in the fall camp and win the job over.

Leston Paul - 5-8 160-pounds - Midfielder - Junior - Mayaro, Trinidad (St. Mary HS)

Paul quietly had a big 2011 season and will continue that trend in 2012.  Last year he appeared in 21 games, scoring 4 goals (15 shots, 8 on goal) and added 1 assists.  He was also 3 of 4 on penalty kicks as well, coming through in crunch time for the Bulls.  The Bulls will be looking to replace the scoring that Dwyer did last season and Paul has the potential to have a career season.  He is a quick player that has the talent and experience now to step up even more and total bigger numbers.

Stiven Salinas - 5-6 150-pounds - Forward - Senior - Miami, FL (Killian HS) (Lincoln College)

Salinas appeared in 20 games last season for the Bulls, adding 2 assists and took 9 shots on goal in his first season with USF.  Salinas came out of Lincoln College where in his sophomore season was named second team NJCAA after totaling 22 assists and 23 goals during his playing career there.  Salinas is a a solid player that has good footwork and can get after it on the attack.  Look for him to play a bigger role this season and increase his stats as he helps the front line.

Ben Sweat - 6-2 170-pounds - Defender - Junior - Palm Harbor, FL (Palm Harbor HS)

Sweat is a rising star on the defensive backline for the Bulls.  In his sophomore season in 2011, he appeared in 21 games, adding 5 assists from the backline and helped anchor a defense that recorded 7 shut out wins.  2011 built upon his great freshman season where he appeared in 18 games and added 1 assist and helped with 10 shut out wins.  The 2 time Pinellas player of the year (09-10) has continued to live up to the hype and should have a huge 2012 season.  He is a big, physical player that can counter an opponent and lead an attack on offense.  The team will need him even more this season with a new goalkeeper in net.

Sebastien Thuriere - 5-11 170-pounds - Midfielder - Senior - St. Petersburg, FL (Seminole HS)

One of the seasoned veterans of the front line, Thuriere appeared in 21 games last season for the Bulls, totaling 2 goals and 1 assists during the season. Thuriere returned from injury that forced him to miss the entire 2010 season, so 2011 took him some time to get his feet under him but now that he is at full strength, 2012 could be a huge season for him.  Thuriere will only get better in 2012 and has proven to  be an aggressive striker (took 37 shots last year) so look for him to continue that trend and to lead the offense.

Christopher Waugh - 5-9 160-pounds - Forward - Portmore, Jamaica (Wolmer's HS)

Waugh appeared in 10 games last season for the Bulls and took 4 shots on the goal.  Waugh is another experienced player from Jamaica that was part of their national U-17, 20, and 22 teams before coming to Tampa.  He is a fast player that is known for his footwork and incredible burst of speed.  Waugh come to be a secret weapon this season when he takes the field and could get a few fastbreaks for the Bulls.

Ricardo Webb - 5-9 155-pounds - Midfielder - Junior - Clarendon, Jamaica (Glenmiur HS)

Webb appeared in 13 games last season and took 2 shots in limited playing time.  Webb is a very experienced player with playing time with the Jamaican U 17, 20, and 23 teams before coming to USF.  Webb will most likely be a reserve player again for the Bulls, but will get his chances to make an impact on the field.

Incoming players

Samuel "Samu" Hosseini - 6-1 160-pounds - Midfielder- Junior 

Coach Kiefer once again has landed a top player from Tyler Junior College in Texas with Hosseini.  Hosseini, coming from the same school as Dwyer and teammates of current Bulls Kyle Nicholls and Brenton Griffiths, joins the Bulls and brings a skill set to help the center of the field.  Last season, Hosseini helped anchor the center of the field for Tyler and added 7 goals and 5 assists on the season.  He is a smart player that can break down opponents and feed the ball to the top strikers on the team.  He will be a huge addition to the team this season. 

Edwin Moalosi - 5-5 150-pounds - Lincoln Junior College - Forward

The Bulls added a top striker last season with Dwyer and in 2012 the team continues that trend with the addition of Moalosi who originally came from Botswana before ending up at Lincoln College.  Moalosi is a top striker that will help fill the void for the Bulls this season on offense and could have a huge season scoring goals.  Last season, he scored 21 goals for Lincoln College, showing how strong he is and how potent he can be when attacking the goal.  While it will be hard to replace Dwyer this season, Moalosi is a big time striker that should be able to add enough on offense to help fill the void for the Bulls. 


Humberto Bertan - 5-6 150-pounds - Forward - Sophomore


Bertan, out of Mexico City, played for division II Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia.  There, he was named all regional team with 12 goals for his team.  Bertan will be a solid player in reserve this season and could even win a starting role on the team and will help add more on the offensive attack.


Juan Carlos Garcia - 6-0 180-pounds - Defender - Junior 


Garcia played for Schoolcraft College last season in Michigan and helped anchor a backline that allowed just 9 goals all season long.  He is a big, physical player that can get down field and help on the backline.  He can either be a starter or help rotate in and anchor the backline to support the new goaltender that the Bulls will have in net this season. 


Matthew O'neal - 6-0 155-pounds - Defender - Freshman


The Bulls added O'neal out of Calloway High School in Jackson Mississippi where he also helped move over to midfielder when needed.  He was a solid player and has a lot of experience with multiple club teams, which will help him transition into the college ranks.  Look for him to be a reserve this season, but will get plenty of playing time.


Mike Mitchell - 6-4 185-pounds - GK - Freshman


Mitchell, out of Bradenton, Florida (Braden River HS) helped lead a team that recorded 17 shut outs out of 23 games in his senior season, showing his raw skills in net.  At 6-4, he has great size in the net that can make it hard for opponents to attack on.  While this season will have either Osswald or Jaye in net, he could be the goalkeeper of the future for the Bulls. 


Mario Mensen - 6-1 159-pounds - Defender - Sophomore


Mensen comes out of Brujas, Costa Rica to the Bulls who will help add more depth to the Bulls backline with his international experience.  Mensen will most likely be a reserve this season, but helps add more depth for the Bulls, which is always a good thing.