FULLERTON, Calif. – As the 2018 season rapidly approaches, the Cal State Fullerton men's soccer program and Head Coach George Kuntz have announced the signing of six student-athletes who are ranked as the No. 34 recruiting class in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer.
While the Titans are ranked No. 34 in the country, no other team in the Big West Conference is ranked in the top-35. Incoming freshman Charly Anguiano headlines the Titans incoming class, ranking as the No. 24 recruit in the country coming out of the L.A. Galaxy Academy. Zico Bailey also joins the Titans as a highly touted prospect after appearing in five games in the United Soccer League for L.A. Galaxy II.
Both Anguiano and Bailey have enjoyed stints with the junior United State National Teams. Jose Delgado joins Anguiano and Bailey as the third member of the L.A. Galaxy Academy to join the Titans 2018 squad.
Carlos Escobedo and Israel Gonzalez come to Cal State Fullerton after playing for Cal State Dominguez Hills, one of the Division II teams in the country. Edward Salazar is the fourth and final freshman to join the team as he comes from a highly regarded high school in Cathedral where he helped lead the team to a CIF Southern Section and regional championship.
"I think we have a solid recruiting class. This class is more of the brick and mortar than it is the elaborate and the wow factor," Kuntz said. "It's the steady grinders and guys that have accomplished a lot in their young careers that we have coming in."
The incoming class consists of four freshmen and two Division II transfers from Cal State Dominguez Hills. The six newcomers will add depth to a strong returning roster that only lost three seniors from last year's Big West Championship team.
Here is the closer look at the athletes that are set to join the Titans.
Carlos "Charly" Anguiano
Year: Freshmen
Previous School: L.A. Galaxy Academy
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
Height: 5'9"
Coach Kuntz on Anguiano: "Charly brings a lot experience of high caliber games throughout his youth career and with the LA Galaxy Academy. He is a holding midfielder with a high soccer IQ and a guy that can help start a lot of our attacks for our team."
Year: Freshman
Previous School: L.A. Galaxy Academy
Position: Defender
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Height: 5'7
Coach Kuntz on Bailey: "Zico was able to debut in the United Soccer League and play five matches with LA Galaxy II in 2017. He brings flair as an outside back or a winger. He can take guys on; he's a very consistent passer and is lethal going forward."
Year: Freshman
Previous School: L.A. Galaxy Academy
Position: Defender
Hometown: Garden Grove, Calif.
Height: 5'10
Coach Kuntz on Delgado: "Jose has a high-level technical ability as an outside back. He can build out of the back and can join the attack to create opportunities. He is a player with a huge upside."
Year: Senior
Previous School: Cal State Dominguez Hills
Position: Defender
Hometown: South Gate, Calif.
Height: 6'1
Coach Kuntz on Escobedo: "Carlos brings experience to our back line as a former First Team All-West Region and First Team All-CCAA with one of the top Division II teams in the country. "
Year: Senior
Previous School: Cal State Dominguez Hills
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Paramount, Calif.
Height: 5'9
Coach Kuntz on Gonzalez: "He's been a consistent player for Cal State Dominguez Hills, he'll bring leadership and playing experience from championship games. He has a championship mentality and brings a lot to our team."
Year: Freshman
Previous School: Cathedral High School
Position: Defender
Hometown: Anaheim Hills, Calif.
Height: 6'0
Coach Kuntz on Salazar: "I think he has a huge upside, he is as fierce of a competitor as I've seen in recent years. He's going to be a tremendous defender in this league. I think he'll be a huge part of our program over time."