May 12, 2006
Stanford, Calif. - Stanford University men's soccer head coach Bret Simon is proud to announce the signing of an outstanding four member recruiting class for the fall of 2006. The incoming group features a goalkeeper and three field players that are capable of competing for playing time in the Cardinal lineup immediately.
The group includes John Moore, Thiago Sa Freire, Brant Bishop, Michael Strickland.
Moore is a fearless goalkeeper with great shot-stopping ability. A four year member of Cal South ODP team who was selected to the Region IV ODP team in 2004 and 2005. Moore anchored the defense of the highly competitive club team, Arsenal FC. He led them to numerous tournament championships including the Dallas Cup in 2005 and Surf Cup Supergroup in 2004 and 2005. Moore was named MVP of the Surf Cup in 2005. Moore was also named MVP in 2004 at the US Club Soccer National Championships leading his team to a gold medal. John captained Chino Hills High School in 2005 and was named Player of the Year, All League, and an Inland Valley All-star in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He was recently selected to the Los Angeles Galaxy CIF South All-Academic Team which is a new award given to student athletes who succeed on the field and in the classroom.
His parents are Jack and Marilynda from Chino Hills, CA, and he has one older brother attending college for a dual major in Fire Science and Fire Technology.
Thiago is an extremely skillful player with great vision and flare who will look to challenge for a spot in the midfield or at forward. Sa Freire spent time training in Brasil at Zico's Futebol Club in 2000 and with Flamengo's youth team in 2001 and 2003. In 2004 and 2005 Thiago was a member of the Missouri ODP team, and selected to participate in Region II ODP pool. Also in 2004 and 2005, Thiago was named Adidas NSCAA Youth Soccer All-American and was invited to participate in the prestigious ESP camp.
Sa Freire has captained the Lou Fousz soccer club to back-to-back-to-back Missouri State Cup Champions in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Lou Fusz also went on to win the Snickers Region II Championship in '03 losing in the national final.
Thiago was a four-year starter at Christian Brother's High School. He lead them to Missouri State Championships in 2004 and 2005, captaining the squad his senior season.
Thiago's parents are Pedro and Vera. He has two sisters, Bianca and Isabella. Bianca is married to Chris Hogan and they have a daughter, Claire Sophie. Isabella is a full time high school student who shares her brother's passion for soccer. Isaiah Mares is Thiago's half-brother who will attend Yale next year and play for their football team.
Bishop was 2005 NSCAA Adidas Youth and Scholar All American. His speed, quickness, and finishing ability will add to the Cardinal attack. Bishop has been a mainstay with the Missouri ODP team and has been called into the Region II pool in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005.
Brant is captain's the KC Pace who won the U-17 State Cup, which included Bishop's three goal performance in the final. Bishop also starred for Park Hill High School captaining them his senior year. In 2004 and 2005 Bishop was named to the Missouri's All State 1st team and KC Star's All Metro 1st Team. In 2005 Bishop was honored as Missouri Western Player of the Year.
Brant's parents are Carla and Greg. They have a younger son Brendan who plays basketball, golf, guitar and the trombone.Strickland is a hard working defensive midfielder whose possession rate and ability to breakup plays should prove to be a force in the Pac 10. In 2002 and 2003 Strickland trained with Middlesborough FC Youth Academy while living in Ireland. The experienced paid off and Michael went on to be selected to the Northern California ODP team and captain the Region IV ODP team in 2004 and 2005. In January, Strickland was selected to the Allstar Team at the ODP Interregional event held at the Home Depot Center.
In 2004 and 2005, Michael captained Davis High School and was named to the Monticello Empire All League Team. In 2005, Strickland guided Davis to the Section Championship and was named Monticello Empire League and All Metro MVP. Strickland also captained the Davis Mutiny leading them to the Nothern California State Cup semifinals in 1999 and 2003.
Michael is the son of Robert and Sharon and older brother to Jeff, who is 15 and an avid soccer player. Jeff is a member of the 1991 Region IV ODP team.