PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots men’s soccer team is adding six newcomers to its roster for the 2010 season, announced Portland Director of Soccer Bill Irwin. Four have signed National Letters of Intent, while two more have committed to UP and will join the soccer team in the fall.
Incoming freshmen Bronson Boyd (Sandy, Utah/Hillcrest HS), Steven Evans (Portland, Ore./Central Catholic HS), Alex Gatewood (Ann Arbor, Mich./Wilson HS (Ore.)) and Thomas Iwasaki (Lake Oswego, Ore./Lake Oswego HS) have signed letters of intent, while Tyler Baarts (Portland, Ore./Jesuit HS) and Matt Dally (Vancouver, Wash./Hudson’s Bay HS) have committed to UP and the men’s soccer program.
“We are very excited about our 2010 class,” said assistant coach Rob Baarts. “We have very high expectations of this group, starting with an immediate impact to our program as freshmen. This group can and will help our program reach its ultimate goal of winning a national championship.”
Tyler Baarts (5-11, 145) is a defender and is the son of Rob Baarts, who also starred at UP as a player. A three-year letterwinner at Jesuit High School, Baarts helped the Crusaders claim the Metro League Championship as a senior en route to a semi-final finish in the 2009 Oregon 6A State Tournament. Jesuit reached the state quarterfinals in 2008. He was named first-team all-state last fall after garnering second-team all-state honors as a junior. A member of FC Portland for 13 years, Baarts and his U-14 club team won the State Cup and advanced the regional quarterfinals. Baarts and his FC teammates Alex Gatewood, Thomas Iwasaki and Matt Dally have competed at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for two years with FC Portland.
“Tyler will help solidify our back line with his readability of the game and quality on the ball,” noted coach Baarts.
Bronson Boyd (6-0, 165), a midfielder, played only one year for the Hillcrest High School Huskies, garnering Rookie of the Year and honorable mention all-state honors. In 15 games, he scored eight goals, registered 10 assists and helped lead the Huskies to their first state tournament appearance in eight years, where they reached the semifinals. A member of the Utah ODP since 2003, Boyd won state titles with his club team three times. His club teams reached the regional quarterfinals twice and claimed the 2008 adidas College Cup.
“Not only is Bronson very technical, but he also brings a competitiveness to the game that is second to none,” Baarts said.
Matt Dally (5-9, 155) is a two-year letterwinner who played forward for the Hudson’s Bay Eagles. Dally earned all-league honorable mention after helping lead the Eagles to their first ever Washington High School State Tournament in 2008. A member of FC Portland since 2008, Dally previously competed with FC Vancouver, reaching the state finals in 2003. Dally is also a member of the Oregon ODP and he competed at U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy during the past two years.
“With his speed, Matt brings an instant threat either up front or out wide,” said Baarts.
Steven Evans (6-1, 165) plays in the midfield and is a four-year letterwinner for the Central Catholic High School Rams. As a senior, Evans was named the Mt. Hood Conference Player of the Year and he landed on Oregon’s 6A All-State First Team. He was named to the all-state second team as a junior in 2008, while also garnering first-team all-league honors. The Rams won the league title and advanced to the state tournament in 2009 and were the Oregon big school state champions in 2007. A member of the Oregon ODP for four years, Evans was invited to the National Camp in 2004 and was a regional holdover in 2005 and 2007. Evans claimed state titles with his club team in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009. They also claimed the Phoenix President Cup twice and the Surf Cup and Nomads Tournament once.
“Steven is a tremendous talent who brings an offensive onslaught much like that of Collen Warner,” added Baarts.
Alex Gatewood (6-2, 205) earned four letters as a defender for the Wilson High School Trojans in southwest Portland. Gatewood, who helped the Trojans reach the Oregon State High School Tournament all four years, was named to the all-state second team as a senior last fall. He was a three-time selection to the Portland Interscholastic League First Team (2007, 2008, 2009) after previously landing on the all-league second team (2006). A member of the Oregon ODP from 2005 until 2007, Gatewood participated in the Region IV ODP camp in 2007. His FC Portland club team won the state title in 2006 and competed at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for two years.
“In order to compete as a team at this level, size and athleticism are crucial, and Alex brings both of those to our back line,” said Baarts.
Thomas Iwasaki (5-8, 155) is a midfielder and a three-year letterwinner for the Lake Oswego Lakers. As a senior last fall, Iwasaki landed on both the Oregon All-State First Team and the All-Three Rivers League First Team after leading the team in goals (18) and assists (10). He also tallied five game-winners and helped the Lakers win the league title last fall. A member of the Oregon ODP and FC Portland, Iwasaki competed at the USSF Development Academy during each of the past two years.
“Thomas is a smooth central midfielder who will give us a solid option in the middle of the park,” Baarts said.
