As the boys soccer season begins, we take a look at the schools playing in the Public League this spring.

*Note: All coaches were contacted multiple times, the schools below are the ones who responded. If your school isn’t listed, have your coach reach out to Michael Wojtychiw at mmwojtychiw@cps.edu. This post will be updated if more schools respond.

School Name: Alcott College Prep

Last Year’s Record: 1-6-1

Key Returnees (name, year in school, position; any accolades/stats): 

Jayden Rosales, Junior, MF; 7 goals 3 assist 

Carlos Flores, Junior, DEF/MF; 2 goals 6 assist 

Jeremiah Nieves, Sophomore, F; 4 goals 2 assist 

Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, accolades/stats):

Hilario Rojas, Junior, DEF; 2 assist 

Key newcomers (name, year in school):

Aydin Kazim, Junior, DEF

Alexander Rodriguez, Freshman

Izick Rodriguez, Freshman, DEF

Efrain Acevedo, Junior, DEF

Coach’s Season Outlook: Alcott College Prep has appointed a familiar face to lead Alcott Boys Soccer to victory. Ulises Hernandez, who has a conference title under his belt and went on to play college ball at Black Hawk College. The Alcott family feels very confident in his tactics and management skills. They are working on becoming a household name all over the city and surrounding areas. They are also working hard to move up a division and make it far in the mini-tournament that will lead on to the City Championship. On top of that they are looking forward to making a regional appearance, last time this happened was during the 2018-2019 season.  

Chicago Academy

Last Season’s Record: 15-6-2 (4-0-1)

Key Returnees (name, year in school, position, accolades):

Julian Delgado, senior, forward; All-State; Holds school record for career goals (31) and assists (18)

Jeremy Huerta, junior, forward; All-Sectional; 15 goals, 14 assists in 2022

Emiliano Marquez, senior, midfielder; All-Sectional

Eddie Classen, senior, defender; All-Conference

Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, position):

Daniel Delgado-Perez, sophomore, midfielder

Nathan Salgado, sophomore, forward

Anthony Dominguez, sophomore, midfielder

Christopher Gama, sophomore, forward

Key newcomers (name, year in school, position):

Nathan Ocampo, senior, goalkeeper

Momem Zidany, freshman, forward

Francisco Marquez, freshman, midfielder

Coach’s Season Outlook: After tying for the First Northwest title last year, we’re hoping to compete for the title again. We hope to repeat as, not only BodyArmor Series Champions, but Chicago Crosstown Cup Champions as well. A big goal of ours is to win a Class 1A Regional and compete to make it all the way to Supersectionals.

School: Kennedy High School

Last Year’s Record: 5 – 13 – 1

Social Media Handle: jfkcrusaderathletics

Starters returning:

Emilio Calderon, Junior

Giovani Centeno, Sophomore

Diego Serrato, Sophomore

Julian Jimenez, Junior

Guadalupe Cahue, Sophomore

Daniel Cahue, Senior

Newcomers to watch:

Gino Alberto, Senior

Giovanni Flores, Sophomore

Tristan Godinez, Sophomore

Alan Mendoza, Senior

Demetrio Ramirez, Sophomore

Season outlook: JFK’s soccer program has gone through many changes. The majority of the program consists of younger players who are energetic and disciplined. The team’s hope is to be in contention of First Central and return to Premier South in order to compete at the highest level with key players becoming Juniors and Seniors. 

Lincoln Park

Last Year’s Record: 12-10-3

Social Media Handle: INSTA: @lincolnparksoccer_boosterclub and @geoff.ruttenberg. Twitter: @ LPSoccer and @g_ruttenberg

Key Returnees (name, year in school, any accolades/stats): 

Ramo Velic, senior, midfielder

Henry Miller, senior, forward

Jacob Cardona, sophomore, midfielder

Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, accolades/stats):

Angel Bonete, junior

Tom Bonamy, junior, midfielder

Lucas Dawid, junior, forward

Max Mimica, sophomore

Key newcomers (name, year in school):

Manny Evron-Agassi, freshman

Coach’s Season Outlook: Solid core, talented group, need to finish. Two years ago we won our conference finishing 15-3. Can we regain that form. 

School Name: Marine Leadership Academy (MLA)

Last Year’s Record: 16-7-2

Social Media Handle: Twitter @MLAathletics

Key Returnees (name, year in school, position, any accolades/stats): 

William Mejia, Junior, All Sectional, D

Christian Ortiz, Senior, All Sectional, Mid

Lex Alvarado, Junior, D

Nestor Bueno, Senior, F

David Solache, Sophomore, M

Gio Feliciano, Sophomore, M

Ronaldo Blancas, Senior, G

Coach’s Season Outlook:

We are returning 13 varsity players including 6 starters.  Expecting a lot from the sophomore group.

School Name: North-Grand High School

Last Year’s Record: 16-4-2

Social Media Handle: Instagram – @ngboyssoccer

Key Returnees (name, year in school, position, any accolades/stats):
Juan Apolo – Senior, MF/D; Team Captain
Riquelme Barcenas – Senior, D; Team Captain
Kevin Delgado – Junior, MF

Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, position, accolades/stats):
Mario Padilla – Senior, D/MF
Alexander Amaya – Junior, MF/F
Steven Zamora – Senior, F; Team Captain
Adolfo Marchan – Senior, D/MF; Team Captain

Key newcomers (name, year in school, position):
Eduardo Bahena – Freshman, MF

Coach’s Season Outlook: After our best season in school history, we are looking forward to participating in the premier division for the first time ever. With a few key returning players and some added younger players, we are excited to start the season!

School Name: Senn

Last Year’s Record: 16-9

Social Media Handle: @Senn_Soccer (Instagram, facebook, twitter)

Key Returnees (name, year in school, position, any accolades/stats): 

Joseph Gonzalez – Sr. – CM – 2022 All Sectional

Finnegan Dennis – Sr. RB

Callum Dickson – Sr. – CB

Marlon Garcia Jr. – Sr. LB

Baribefee Denuate – Jr. – FWD

Vicente Quintero – Jr. – CM

Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, position):

Leul Assefa – Sr. FWD/LB

Key newcomers (name, year in school, position):

Jordi Mercado – So. – CM

Xavier Paredes – Fr. – FWD

Piotr Stepinski – Jr. – CB

Coach’s Season Outlook:

Much of our returning core of the 2022 Regional Championship team is returning including three of the four back four. Looking for leadership from returning seniors, which includes 2022 All-Sectional player, Joseph Gonzalez. Baribefee Denuate is a dynamic forward with pace and size! Biggest change is at keeper where we will start Freshman Huck Johnson. Overall, a solid group of guys should build off of last year’s success!

Solorio Academy

Last Year’s Record: 22-5

Key Returnees (name, year in school, position, accolades/stats): 

Justino Salgago, senior, midfielder, All-City

Junior Pineda, junior, midfielder, All-Sectional Honorable Mention

Sebastian Gonzalez, senior, defender, All-Conference

Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, position):

Ricardo Mejia, senior, midfielder

David Saucedo, junior, goalkeeper

Omar Ocampo, junior, defender

Key newcomers (name, year in school):

Angel Rocha, sophomore, midfielder

Jose Teodocio, junior, defender

Daniel Rendon, junior, midfielder

Coach’s Season Outlook: 7 returning starters from the city championship team and state finalist.

School Name: Taft High School

Last Year’s Record: 15-6-3 (CPL Runner-Up)

Social Media Handle (if any and comfortable sharing): @TaftHSAthletics @Taft_HS

Key Returnees (name, year in school, position, any accolades/stats):

Adrian Grden, Senior, D (All-Sectional 2022)

Matthew Gruzka, Senior, D

Gabriel Vidaurre, Senior, M

Bartosz Wojda, Junior, M

Jair Duenas Campoverde, Senior, M

Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, position, accolades/stats):

Daniel Korniat, Senior, M/D (2021 All-Sectional)

Filip Zero, Senior, D

Michael Sturgulewski, Senior, D/M

Damian Giczewski, Senior, D

Ethan Kazberuk, Senior, F

Key newcomers (name, year in school, position):

Alberto Alizo Contreras, Junior, GK

Kurmanbek Madaripov, Junior, F/M

Alex Wojda, Freshman, M/D

Idris Bachir, Junior, F

Coach’s Season Outlook: We are a team in search of an identity and playing style after losing a lot of talent/experience to graduation, but the goals and expectations remain the same; win the conference, advance to the CPL championship, and win the schools first regional/sectional title. We have the talent to compete with anyone.

School Name: George Washington High School

Last Year’s Record: 13 – 6

Social Media Handle: Twitter:@GWHS_BoysSoccer, Instagram: gwhs_boyssoccer

Key Returnees (name, year in school, any accolades/stats): 

Christian Aparicio – Senior – MF

Sacramento Diaz – Senior – MF

Raul Flores – Senior – MF

Cesar Martinez – Senior – DEF

Christian Ramirez – Senior – FORW/DEF

Edgar Sanchez – Senior – F

Juan Rodriguez – Junior – DEF

Key non-starters returning (name, year in school, accolades/stats):

Alexis Varela – Senior – FORW

Joseluis Ramirez – Junior – DEF

Osmar Lopez – Junior – MF

Key newcomers (name, year in school):

Dylan Castillo – Junior – GK

Alexis Leyva – Junior – GK

Coach’s Season Outlook: Injuries will force some players to step up into new roles. After a tough season last year we want to compete for the CPL Championship this year. With strong Senior leadership anything is possible with this team. We will definitely bring the effort, emotion, and excitement to every game.

School Name: Whitney Young

Last year’s Record: 11-5-3

Social Media handle: Twitter: wyboyssoccer

Key Returners:

Reese Kruschke, Senior, F; 5 goals & 5 assists in 2022. 

Cole Hockman, Senior, F; 8 Goals & 5 assists in 2022

Garen Petrulis, Senior, DEF; 6 assists in 2022

Key Non Starters:

Sam Henle, Junior, MF;1 goal in 2022

Key Newcomers:

Leo Antoniewicz, Junior

Curtis Jackson Jr. Freshman 

Season outlook:

We look to build on 2022 by improving on the principles integrated into our program last season. Attention to detail and willingness to battle will be important up against a difficult schedule. A city championship and regional title are two important goals for this group.