Get Recruited Faster with a Player Profile on SoccerWire.com

LEARN MORE
+ GET RECRUITED
NCAA Aug 01, 2022

University of Washington men’s soccer adds 11 class of 2022 recruits to roster

SEATTLE – With the 2022 season right around the corner, the University of Washington men’s soccer team welcomes 11 incoming freshmen to campus.

“We love this incoming recruiting class,” head coach Jamie Clark said. “It’s a very talented group of players, but also a group that has great connections to our program. From siblings that played here, to guys that attended our camps for years, we feel like we know these players incredibly well and are confident they will help keep us at the top of the college game.”

EGOR AKULOV | DEFENDER | REDMOND, WASH. | CROSSFIRE PREMIER

Akulov comes to Montlake by the way of Redmond, Wash. In high school, Akulov attended The Overlake School and played for club team Crossfire Premier. With Crossfire, Akulov won the 2022 ECNL Championship and 2021 Surf Cup. During the Surf Cup, he was a part of a defensive group that did not concede a goal in five games on his way to being named ECNL Conference First Team. While at Washington, Akulov plans on majoring in computer science. Outside of the pitch, Akulov likes to golf and his favorite movie is La La Land.

Coach Clark on Egor: “Egor is a top central defender from here in Washington. We’ve been fortunate to see a lot of Egor over the past few years and his teams win.  He’s got a great range of pass and is physically ready to play. Unfortunately, Egor is recovering from and ACL injury, so will take this fall to get fully healthy before getting back on the field in the spring.”

Egor on Why Washington: “My mom worked for UW when I was a kid, so I was always on campus on my days off and wanted to be a Husky since then. When Coach Clark gave me this opportunity, I couldn’t say no.”

RICHIE AMAN | MIDFIELDER | HANOVER, N.H. | SEACOAST UNITED

Aman enrolled at Washington this past spring and has been able to train with the team since. Prior to his arrival on Montlake, Aman played for club team Seacoast United in Hanover, N.H. He was invited to the youth national team regional camp – which is also his favorite soccer memory. Outside of the pitch, Aman is a chess player and rated No. 1300 in the country. While at UW, he plans on majoring in psychology.

Coach Clark on Richie: “Richie enrolled here early this spring and made an immediate impact. He’s a special 1v1 player who has the ability to create chances for himself and others. He is relentless off the dribble and will unbalance the defenses of other teams. He’s going to be a fun one for fans to watch.”

Richie on Why Washington: “Great culture and great environment to grow and develop in.”

JOE DALE | MIDFIELDER | SEATTLE, WASH. | SEATTLE UNITED U-18/19 ECNL

Dale is a third generation Husky from Seattle. He attended high school at Roosevelt where he was named captain and First Team All-Metro League. Dale played for club team Seattle United U-18/19 ECNL where he scored 11 goals with seven assists in 14 games during the season. Following the high school season, Dale played for Ballad FC in its inaugural season in USL2. While at UW, Dale plans on majoring in business administration.

Clark on Joe: “Joe is a local player that has been coming to our camps since he was in elementary school. He’s a soccer fanatic and watching him play you can see how well he understands the game. He covers lots of ground in the midfield and has a flare for scoring great goals from deep.”

Joe on Why Washington: “I have been attending UW camps since I was four years old and always loved the program. The UW felt like home and the soccer team felt like family. The opportunity to play for the UW and represent the community is something I am incredibly grateful to begin doing.”

NANI DEPERRO | MIDFIELDER | BEND, ORE. | OREGON PREMIER FC

Deperro was recently named the 2022 Class 6A Player of the Year and the Gatorade Player of the Year for Oregon. During the prep season at Summit High School, Deperro won Class 6A state championship after the team went 19-0-1. Deperro scored 32 goals on the year with 19 assists, including two goals in the state title game win over West Linn.

Coach Clark on Nani: “Nani is a great attacking player. He’s brave with his runs and really makes defenders defend.  He came to our camp last year and really turned heads. Since then he’s gone onto being Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, which is a great honor for him.”

Deperro on Why Washington: “It is my dream school, love the campus, great academics, amazing coaches and an amazing soccer program.”

DARREN GREEN | MIDFIELDER | PORTLAND, ORE. | UNITED PDX

Green comes to Washington from Portland, Ore. where he played high school soccer for Franklin. In 2019, Green won the Oregon state championships with his team and in 2021 was named offensive player of the year. When not competing with his high school team, Green also participated with club team United PDX. With his club, they won the Oregon state championships in 2022. While at Washington, Green plans on majoring in business.

Coach Clark on Darren: “Darren is a talented attacking player with good feet and balance. He’s technically gifted and has the ability to create space for himself in the attacking third. He has the ability to play a great number of positions which should help him transition into the college level.”

Darren on Why Washington: “I chose UW because the high level of soccer and academics, this will help me be where I want to be in life. Another reason is because the family that’s built around the team is awesome.”

MARK GALLAGHER | FORWARD | DUNDALK, IRELAND | SHATTUCK-SAINT MARY’S (MN)

Gallagher, from Ireland, player high school ball for Shattuck Saint Mary’s in Minnesota. With his team, they played in MLS Next and were named the Midwest Division Champions following the 2021-22 season. In June, Gallagher scored the game-winning goal vs. Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen during the playoffs. At Washington, Gallagher plans on majoring in economics.

Coach Clark on Mark: “Mark is a dynamic attacking player. His pace is frightening for defenders, and he will give us an in behind threat right away. He’s got great feet for an attacking player and can play a lot of different roles. Mark’s older brother, Jon, was a great player for my dad at Notre Dame, and is now also at Austin in the MLS.”

Mark on Why Washington: “Loved the environment in Seattle, all the people seemed really kind and welcoming.”

LEVI HAWK | MIDFIELDER | SEATTLE, WASH. | SPOKANE SOUNDERS

Hawk attended Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane where they had an undefeated 11-0 record and won the Greater Spokane League championship. He played club with Spokane Sounders and Cruzeiro Academy Thailand. In 2019, Hawk was the top scorer with BISP Cruzeiro Academy. While at UW, Hawk plans on joining the Foster School of Business.

Coach Clark on Levi: “Levi is our newest player from the east side of the state. He’s a strong attacking player with a good nose for creating opportunities. It will be fun to get him into our environment here and watch him continue to grow. I think his ceiling is very high and he’s a worker who will do everything to achieve his goals.”

Levi on Why Washington: “I chose UW because I wanted to represent my home city. The soccer program is top in the country and it has a good business school. It easily ticked all my boxes.”

PHILIP KLEEMANN | DEFENDER | NEWBURY PARK, CALIF. | LAFC SO CAL YOUTH

Kleemann comes to UW from Newbury Park, Calif. where he played for LAFC So Cal. This past season, LAFC So Cal won the 2022 ENCL Southwest Conference championship and 2017 Surf Cup champions. In addition, Kleeman was selected for the Washington State Elite Player Development (EPD) Program. During the high school season, Kleemann was named defender MVP of the Marmonte League. Outside of the pitch, Kleemann plays the piano and was a 2014 USATF National Junior Olympics championship finalist in the 800 meter. While at UW, Kleemann plans on majoring in computer science.

Coach Clark on Philip: “Philip is the younger brother of Freddy Kleemann who starred here before being drafted in the MLS by Austin. He has a lot of the same traits of his older brother in that he’s a tough defender that also feels the game well. That said, Philip will make his own name for himself. He’s a long rangy left sided defender that will grow into being a guy that marshal the back line for us.”

Philip on Why Washington: “I chose the University of Washington because of its outstanding coaching staff and players that make the program so unique and successful. And because of the excellent academic opportunities that the UW provides surrounded by an amazing campus and environment.”

NICK O’BRIEN | FORWARD | SAN JOSE, CALIF. | DE ANZA FORCE SOCCER CLUB

O’Brien makes his way to Montlake from De Anza Force Soccer Club in San Jose, Calif. With De Anza Force, O’Brien scored 16 goals in the U19 MLS Next League and was able to make his preseason debut with the Oakland Roots in the USL. While at UW, O’Brien plans on majoring in finance.

Coach Clark on Nick: “Nick is a very good player with a great understanding of the game. He’s excelled as a number 9 this year and has a great knack for scoring goals. That said, he can play any central position as his feel for the game is top level. Another player from a great soccer family as his brothers have played at Notre Dame and Santa Clara and has another brother playing for Salford City in England.”

Nick on Why Washington: “I chose UW because I grew up in Washington and ever since I’ve been gone nothing has felt like home. Also, the school is spectacular and the team offers a more family like feel where I just didn’t notice anywhere else.”

JACKSON OZBURN | GOALKEEPER | SAMMAMISH, WASH. | CROSSFIRE PREMIER

Ozburn comes to UW from Sammamish, Wash. where he played with clube team Crossfire Premier with fellow incoming freshman Egor Akulov. With Crossfire, Ozburn helped the team to the 2022 ECNL National Championship and the 2021 Surf Cup Championship. At the Surf Cup, Ozburn did not allow a goal during the entire tournament. At the ECNL National Championship, he save eight out of 10 penalties taken and three matches on the road to the championship were won on PKs. Ozburn’s favorite movie is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and he enjoys lifting weights outside of soccer.

Coach Clark on Jackson: “Jackson is a top goalkeeper with great athleticism. He pulls of unbelievable saves with regularity. He’s going to walk into a situation where he can work with one of the top GKs in the country for a year, which should have him ready to play after that.”

Jackson on Why Washington: “UW’s reputation for academic and athletic excellence.”

MIKEY SHERLOCK | MIDFIELDER | DEL MAR, CALIF. | SAN DIEGO SURF

Sherlock makes his way to Washington from Del Mar, Calif. He attended Torrey Pines High School and played club with San Diego Surf. In 2021, Sherlock was named a United Soccer Coaches Youth All-American. With his high school team, Sherlock helped them win the 2022 State Championship. While at UW, Sherlock plans on majoring in communications.

Coach Clark on Mikey: “Mikey is a very talented defensive midfielder. He has the ability to spray the ball around the park and really controls the tempo of the game. He is also a ball winner and will enjoy playing in a pressing system.”

Mikey on Why Washington: “It’s the best program in the nation and produces the best players. It also has the perfect mix of school and social life. GO DAWGS!”

Washington kicks off the 2022 season on Monday, Aug. 25 vs. Sacramento State at Husky Soccer Stadium. To view the entire schedule, click here.

Featured Players

Midfielder, Forward
Goalkeeper
Midfielder
See Commitment List