[AKRON MEN] Perry Kitchen, who captained the USA in its opening game at the 2009 Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria, heads another strong recruiting class Coach Caleb Porter has secured for Akron, the 2009 NCAA Division I runner-up.

Also joining the Zips are Costa Rican under-17 Reinaldo Brenes and midfielder Martin Ontiveros with whom he played at the IMG Academy. Another former U.S. U-17 is defender Michael Balogun, who has transferred from Cal State Fullerton.

Forwards Richard Diaz Jr. (Chesapeake, Va.) and Gabe Genovesi (Mequon, Wis.) and goalkeeper Andrian McAdams (Oberlin, Ohio) have also chosen to play for the Zips.

"Obviously, we have been very pleased with the caliber of recruiting classes joining our program over the past three seasons," Porter said, "and I can honestly say this year's crop stacks up with the best of them.

"Once again, the majority of the group brings international experience as members of the youth national team programs in their respective countries. We had some specific needs to fill after losing three starters and - with this class - I believe we have not only filled the voids but also built in some necessary depth in almost every position.

"Additionally, we are working on bringing in at least one more international player to hopefully add to our balance and bolster our talent in certain roles.