BOSTON – America East Men’s Soccer has grown into one of the strongest conferences in the nation over the last decade, with numerous former #AEMSOC standouts now plying their trade in soccer leagues across the country.
The conference’s rise was capped off last season as #AEMSOC finished as the sixth-best conference in the nation and a conference-record three teams were selected to the NCAA Tournament. Bryant, Vermont and New Hampshire all earned NCAA bids, with Vermont and New Hampshire both advancing to the NCAA Third Round.
The success of the league is also evident in the world of professional soccer. This past year marked the fourth straight season at least two #AEMSOC players were taken in the MLS Superdraft, including a second straight top-15 selection.
New Hampshire’s Yannick Bright was taken No. 15 overall by Inter Miami CF and officially signed with them this spring. His made his first career start in late March, in a 1-1 draw with New York City FC.
Last year Moise Bombito of UNH was selected No. 3 overall by the Colorado Rapids. He earned a starting nod last season, and this year was called up to the Canadian National Team. The defender also scored his first career goal last month and has been a fixture for them in the starting lineup this year.
In addition to these two, UNH’s Joshua Bauer plays for Nashville, SC, while UMBC’s Jonathan Bell is currently a member of the Seattle Sounders after previously playing for the New England Revolution.
America East success has also been present in the US Open Cup, the longest running soccer competition in the United States. Former Retriever Taylor Calheira helped NYC FC II (MLS Next Pro) reach the third round of competition, while Binghamton’s Jake Keegan and his North Colorado Hailstorm (USL League One) also advanced. Noah Egan (UVM) also helped Irvine Zeta FC (NISA) advance to the third round with a 3-0 victory. Vermont Green (USL League Two) won its opening round matchup but fell in the second round with six players who wore the green and gold for Vermont at some point over the last two years.
It's a run of success that shouldn’t be taken lightly as coaches and players know that success in the America East can lead to professional opportunities. Below is a complete list of former #AEMSOC standouts currently playing professional soccer in the United States.
America East Men’s Soccer in the United States
UAlbany
Danny Vitiello, Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)
Shafique Wilson, Toronto FC II (MLS Next Pro)
Binghamton
Jake Keegan – Northern Colorado Hailstorm (USL League One)
UMBC
Jonathan Bell, Seattle Sounds (MLS)
Taylor Calheira, NYC FC II (MLS Next Pro)
Ryan Becher, St. Louis 2 (MLS Next Pro)
Jackson Becher, Harrisburg Heat (MASL)
Malcolm Harris, Harrisburg Heat (MASL)
Alejandro Arbelaez, Harrisburg Heat (MASL)
Quantrell Jones, Baltimore Blast (MASL)
New Hampshire
Josh Bauer, Nashville SC (MLS)
Moise Bombito Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Yannick Bright Inter Miami CF (MLS)
Rory O'Driscoll Minnesota United FC 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Tola Showunmi Louisville City (USL Championship)
Vermont
Nate Silveira, Rhode Island FC (USL Championship)
Alex Nagy, Loudoun United FC (USL Championship)
Noah Egan, Irvine Zeta FC (NISA)
Jake Ashford, Vermont Green (USL League Two)
Daniel Pacella, Vermont Green (USL League Two)
Zach Barrett, Vermont Green (USL League Two)
Yaniv Bazini, Vermont Green (USL League Two)
Nick Lockermann, Vermont Green (USL League Two)
Sydney Wathuta, Vermont Green (USL League Two)
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference its social media channels, @AmericaEast.
- America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -