Who will be the pick of the bunch?
Starting on January 30th, the Syracuse Orange Men’s Soccer program began to announce its new slate of incoming freshman, who will be eligible to play in the 2025 fall season.
In 2023, the Orange made a run to the NCAA Tournament behind a (9-5-7 (2-1-5)) record, but come the end of the season lost around 20 players through a mixture of graduation, the transfer portal, and moving on to the next level.
The 2024 season saw around 20 more players arrive in their stead, and the roster overhaul resulted in difficulties for the program, which failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. The team finished with a (7-7-3 (2-4-2)) record, which was quite underwhelming by recent season’s standards.
This season saw a lot less squad turnover, and so far, we only have eight confirmed signings for the Orange. Here is a brief overview of each talent and what they could bring.
Emanuel Cappello
The Canadian forward hails from Markham, Ontario, and profiles as a fast, strong, and athletic center-forward. His tape shows glimpses of high-level skill, great off-ball runs, and excellent strength with the ball.
Having gained experience with Toronto FC’s youth academy, Cappello arrives at SU having competed at one of the highest levels for a player his age. He has even trained with the Canadian National setup.
Given that the Orange struggled mightily for goals from forwards last year, Cappello could have a chance to earn minutes as a freshman if he works hard off the ball and can adjust his physicality to the college game. If the goals start flowing, he looks like a strong prospect, but we will first have to see if he can compete with the physicality of ACC defenders.
Quentin Christey
Also hailing from Canada and the Toronto FC Academy, Quentin Christey is a diminutive yet strong attacking midfielder whose tape showcases great composure mixed with elite-level ball-carrying and ball-retention abilities.
From Vaughan, Ontario, Christey has already represented Canada at youth levels and has been tested against the best talents in North America.
Christey will likely play in one of the central midfield roles for the Orange, but there is tons of competition for his spot. With his size, Christey may struggle to adjust to the college game, which relies heavily on physicality and strength. However, his elite dribbling and heads-up play may give him the tools to still flourish.
Landon Darko
Originally from Fairburn, Georgia, Darko played in the MLS NEXT for Southern Soccer Academy, giving him valuable experience against older and more physically developed players across the last few years.
Capable of playing anywhere across the forward line, Darko was a goal machine in high school and academy levels. Pacey, agile, and a powerful runner, Darko has most of the tools to set himself up for goals and has shown the ability to provide many different finishes from all over the field.
His role next year will likely come in line with Cappello’s. Coach Mac will demand off-ball effort on defense if he wants to get in the team, and if the goals start flowing, he should have a chance to earn more minutes. Given his size and strength, I think he will need to put on a bit more weight, but has the right physical tools for the college game.
Faris Ibraheem
Continuing the pipeline to SU from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, Faris Ibraheem was described in his announcement as a wingback, but appears to be capable of playing basically anywhere on the pitch.
Competing with Vaughan Azzuri at youth levels, Ibraheem has seen Syracuse’s success through ties to the club, including connections with Olu Oyegunle, Christian Curti, and even established pro players like Kamal Miller.
While Ibraheem could play all over the pitch, the Orange are in need of wing-backs and he could provide a great option from day one with his speed and dynamism. If he can adjust to the next step up physically and stay disciplined in both attack and defense, he could have the opportunity to get some bench or even starting minutes next season.
Callum Lugton
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Lugton spent his younger years in the Portland Timbers youth academy. Lugton has already made appearances for the Timbers’ MLS NEXT team, giving him valuable experience against the physicality and athleticism he will see in the NCAA. He has also represented the US at youth level.
While there isn’t much footage of Lugton around, reports highlight his dribbling and decision-making in the final third as strong suits. He can play as a winger on either side and also has the ability to create a brilliant goal out of nothing.
Coach McIntyre does not tend to use traditional attacking wingers, so it will be interesting to see where Lugton might play. Given his experience against top-level talent that is older than him, he should have an easier time than most in adjusting to the college game.
Juan Martinez-Bastidas
At a towering 6-foot-5, Martinez-Bastidas hails from Greenville, South Carolina and has already begun training with SU for next season. Having played at a few professional levels already, Martinez-Bastidas should have the skill and ability to excel in the college game.
Given SU’s difficulties at goalkeeper over the last few years, the tall keeper who is an excellent shot-stopper should have the chance to compete for starting minutes next season.
Even if the on-ball ability is not there from the jump, a top level shot-stopper is invaluable in College soccer, and Martinez-Bastidas might just fit the profile.
Josh Nugent
Another Brampton, Ontario native, Josh Nugent is a versatile attacker who dominated at youth level and, more recently, in the MLS Next.
Highly-touted at all levels, Nugent is athletic, can play across the attacking positions, and has an well-rounded skillset for a forward, excelling in most areas. Based on the scout reports and film, he might just be the pick of this crop of players.
As with some of the other forward talents coming in, Nugent will need to contribute on both sides of the ball if he wants to start getting minutes. If the goals start coming, then he could easily see himself earn a starting spot.
Pablo Patrick-Galvez
To round out this exciting crop of players, Pablo Patrick-Galvez is the lone central defender in the recruiting class after a strong group of center-backs joined the team last year. Like many players in this class, he hails from Toronto.
While Patrick-Galvez will have to compete against the talents in the class above him for minutes, he has already established himself as a top talent with great performances in MLS NEXT.
The defender has a complete skillset for his position, with standout attributes being his game-reading, decision making, and tough tackling.
With another new slate of highly talented freshmen coming in this year, the Orange will hope that at least a few of the players will be able to contribute valuable first-team minutes as the program aims to bounce back from an underwhelming season.
With the SU forwards struggling for goals last year, it is clear that the coaches aimed to bring in some dynamic and goal-scoring attacking talent to supplement the current squad. Based on this fact and watching highlights, I would guess that Cappello, Darko, or Nugent have the best chances of breaking out as freshman.
If one of them can get the goals flowing, that will be enough to earn a spot as a starter, but effort out of possession will also be a requirement.
As already noted, the Toronto-SU pipeline still appears to be in full flow as five of the eight signings hail from the great white north. Having already played for the TFC Academy together, Cappello, Christey, Nugent, and Patrick-Galvez will also bring some instant chemistry and camaraderie to the new group.
Next up for the SU Mens Soccer offseason will be the announcement of incoming and outgoing transfers. For updates on this and all things SU Soccer, stay tuned.