NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion men's soccer head coach Alan Dawson signed seven players to the 2019 signing class. The class is made up of four midfielders, two defenders and a goalkeeper.
2019 Signees
Defenders
A product of the Virginia Development Academy, Ramos is one of two defenders in the 2019 signing class. Joining Ramos in the backfield is Olmos of Inglewood, California. Olmos was the team captain of his team and posted a 3.5 GPA in high school.
Kevin Ramos – Defender
Hometown – Woodbridge, Va.
High School – C.D. Hylton
Why ODU? – “I chose ODU because I wanted to go to a school where it had both a good soccer program and academic one. Most importantly I wanted to be around good people and could see that from the coaching staff and people around.”
Club – Virginia Development Academy
Academic Interest – Mechanical Engineering
Head Coach Alan Dawson on Ramos.
"Kevin is driven to succeed on and off the field. He thrives on competition and makes those around him better. We are delighted to have him.”
Joining Ramos in defense is Jose Olmos of Inglewood, California. He is a member of the U-18 US National team and captain of the U18/19 Barcelona Academy and posted a 3.5 GPA in high school.
Jose Olmos – Defender
Hometown – Inglewood, Calif.
High School – ASU Prep at Barca Residency Academy
Why ODU? – “I felt right at home the moment I stepped foot on campus. The players and coaching staff have a winning mentality on and off the pitch. The overall environment at ODU has the recipe for me to excel as a strong student-athlete. Where ever I go, I want to win and compete and I know this will be achieve with the athletes and staff in this well developed program.”
Club – Barcelona Academy
Academic Interest – Sport Management
Head Coach Alan Dawson on Olmos.
"Jose is one of the best young center backs in the country that we feel can make an immediate impact on our squad. He is an intelligent player who also loves to compete. We welcome him to our soccer family.”
Midfielders
Bla, Ayala, Falck and Jones make up the midfield for the newcomers. Bla will join former high school and club teammate Daniel Bloyou as a Monarch. He was a two-star rating according to Top Drawer Soccer.
Marco Bla – Midfielder
Hometown – Ivory Coast, West Africa
High School – YSC Academy
Why ODU? – “I chose ODU because I wanted a place where I could become the best player and person I can be.”
Club – Philadelphia Union
Academic Interest – Business
Head Coach Alan Dawson on Bla.
"Marco is a tenacious blue-collar midfielder who is extremely competitive. He will bring toughness to our team and we welcome him to ODU.”
Virginia native Ayala has been a member of Colgan High School’s National Honor Society and volunteered with Project Lead the Way. Ayala was a three-star rating according to Top Drawer Soccer.
Emilio Ayala – Midfielder
Hometown – Manassas, Va.
High School – Colgan
Why ODU? – “I picked ODU because I love the beach and I really see myself doing well there. They have a great engineering program, which is what I’m really interested in. I enjoy watching the team play and the style and being able to be apart of it was exciting!”
Club – Virginia Development Academy
Academic Interest – Civil Engineering
Honors – National Honor Society, Project Lead the Way
Head Coach Alan Dawson on Ayala.
"Emilio is a technically gifted central midfielder and also very competitive. He understands the game and makes good soccer decisions. We are delighted to have him join the squad.”
Sweden native Falck has been selected to play in Spain and Italy by the Virginia Rush. Falck was also named to the 2015-2016 Virginia State ODP Team.
Simon Falck – Midfielder
Hometown – Virginia Beach, Va.
High School – Frank W. Cox (Virginia Beach)
Why ODU? – “I chose ODU because of the great soccer program and the achievements that the team has made in the past years and also because of the great academics offered at the university.”
Club – Virginia Beach Rush 00’
Academic Interest – Engineering
Head Coach Alan Dawson on Falck.
"Simon is a local product but brings international pedigree as he is from Sweden. He is smart, focused and extremely competitive and will fit in our program well. We are very happy to have him."
A two-star standout according to Top Drawer Soccer, Jones rounds out the midfielders for the 2019 signing class. The Virginia native plans to study biology and will graduate from Massaponax High School Cum Laude.
Tyus Jones – Midfielder
Hometown – Fredericksburg, Va.
High School – Massaponax
Why ODU? – “It was the perfect location for me, with a beautiful campus close to the beach. ODU is a great combination where I can play Division I soccer, staying close to home and being challenged in the classroom.”
Club – Richmond United
Academic Interest – Biology
Head Coach Alan Dawson on Jones.
"Tyus is an industrious wide midfielder who is a good athlete and a product of the Richmond United. He will be a good fit in our program and University. We welcome him into our Monarch family.”
Goalkeeper
Dawson brought in Grainger as the only keeper for the 2019 class. The Virginia native was named First Team All Conference in 2017 and a member of the Virginia State ODP Team.
Jack Grainger – Goalkeeper
Hometown – Alexandria, Va.
High School – T.C. Williams
Why ODU? – “I chose ODU because it felt like home to me. I remember the first time I visited the campus I said to myself I could live here for four years. The location, the people, the academics and soccer was the perfect fit for me and is where I believe I can be successful.”
Club – Virginia Villareal Academy
Academic Interest – Sport Management
Head Coach Alan Dawson on Grainger.
"Jack has a good overall package as a goalkeeper. He has good size, good athletic ability and is comfortable with his feet. We welcome him as a proud Monarch.”