St. John's has announced the signing of one of the Red Storm's most intriguing freshman classes in recent history.
Dave Masur, who has recruited
heavily overseas, has tapped into the youth ranks of MLS clubs New York and D.C. United and Miami's Kendall Soccer Coalition.
The Red Storm's recruits are led by Costa Rican-born
Walter Hines, who is considered one of the best players in the class of 2008. He currently plays on the Red Bulls' U-18 team alongside goalie
Nunzio Belfiore and
Connor Lade.
Austin Phillips plays for D.C. United's U-18
team.
Kendall teammates
Cristian Gonzales and
Pablo Punyed were both picked to the U.S. U-20 national team
that traveled to the Copa Chivas this winter. Gonzales previously had been invited to train with Colombia's U-17s.
Other signees are
Matt
Bienkowski and
Josh Faga.