SHOCK—WAU’s Coach Carroll Brings On Highest Number of International Recruits for New Soccer Season

As the new school year fast approaches, a wave of excitement surges over the men’s soccer program at WAU. This year, Shock players aren’t just gearing up for another competitive season—they are embracing a new identity.

The reason for this newfound vigor? A squadron of 23 newly recruited international players has arrived in Takoma Park, bringing with them a fusion of cultures, backgrounds and a burning desire to make their mark in America.

According to Athletics Recruiter and Head Men’s Soccer Coach Daniel Carroll, the team boasts a roster of 53 players spanning across the varsity and development squads. Twenty-seven are international, hailing from countries including England, Brazil, the Netherlands and Japan.

After being hired in the summer of 2022 by Athletics Director Jered Lyons, Carroll began a rigorous scouting process, recruiting 48 players to date, with 43 securing spots in the men’s soccer program.

Carroll possesses a wealth of experience in professional soccer, both as a player and a coach. An England native, Carroll played for the Manchester United Academy, one of the most elite youth teams in the world.

Attributing his recruiting success to the connections he has made over the years, Carroll explained that despite the pool of talented soccer players in the greater D.C. area, his focus since day one has been on recruiting international players.

“I would love to put this school on the map,” he said. “Some of these guys have played at the highest levels in their respective countries, so for me, creating a winning culture will only draw in the locals. They’re gonna know who we are, they’re gonna want to play for us, and it’s only going to create a successful environment.”

One of Carroll’s first international recruits was Italian goalkeeper Gregorio Capponi, who has been with the team since January. Capponi shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, emphasizing his eagerness to “create bonds and friendships with players from all over [the world] while playing together with a common goal in mind.”

With the 2023-2024 season just three weeks away, Carroll and the men’s soccer team have begun their pre-season training. A focal point of this preparation period, Carroll explains, includes creating an inclusive environment for new players. “It’s a warm and welcoming community, and I have no doubt they’ll immerse themselves in the culture and community here.”

“It’s been great so far,” says Bastiaan Spierenburg, a 19-year-old winger who arrived from the Netherlands last week. “The campus is beautiful, with nice surroundings. I’ve met nice people here, and I’m really looking forward to the season.”

Spierenburg’s teammate and countryman, Bartu Yakkan, anticipates that the team’s shared experiences in a new country will translate to on-the-field success. “We all face the same [challenges]. We’re all gonna miss our parents and our friends, but I think we can pull each other out of that. I think our team chemistry is going to be very good at the end of the season.”

“The adversity of coming to a new place definitely helps shape people,” Carroll later added. “More than anything, you know, these guys are all in the same boat. So, it’s only going to make them stronger.”