Feb. 7, 2013

BERKELEY - The California men's soccer program has signed seven players to National Letters of Intent, Golden Bear head coach Kevin Grimes announced on Thursday.

"We are really excited with our 2013 recruiting class," Cal head coach Kevin Grimes said. "These seven players fit perfectly into our team's style of play and our program's culture. We expect to have more signings in the very near future."

Cal signed the following new Bears: Chris Argueta (defender), Randell Black (goalkeeper), Matt Chasman (forward), Nick Lima (forward), Trevor Long (defender), Tommy Padia (midfielder) and Christian Thierjung (forward). All seven are California natives, with four hailing from the southern part of the Golden State and three coming from northern California.

They will join a team with several departing seniors, including co-captains and All-Pac-12 selections Tony Salciccia and Ted Jones.

Here is a look at each signee:

2013 California Men's Soccer Recruiting Class

Chris Argueta
Hometown: Norwalk, Calif.
School: Cathedral HS
Club: FC Golden State
Position: Defender

High School/Club
• TopDrawerSoccer.com rates him as a three-star player
• Captain and 2012 MVP of FC Golden State
• Trained with the El Salvador U-17 National Team (2011)
• Invited to participate with the U.S. U-17 National Team (2010)
• Four-year starter for his Cathedral HS team

Randell Black
Hometown: Santa Rosa, Calif.
School: Pivot Charter School North Bay
Club: San Jose Earthquakes Academy/Atletico Santa Rosa
Position: Goalkeeper

High School/Club
• Top Drawer Soccer ratings: four stars; No. 10 player out of Northern California & Hawaii
• San Jose Earthquakes Academy teammate of fellow Cal recruit Trevor Long
• The 6-2 keeper previously played for the Colo Colo U-18/20 clubs in Chile

Matt Chasman
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
School: Dana Hills HS
Club: Strikers FC Academy
Position: Midfielder/Forward

High School/Club
• Top Drawer Soccer rating: three stars
• Fellow Cal signee Christian Thierjung also plays for the Strikers FC Academy
• In his first academy season with the Strikers, scored 12 goals and led his team in assists
• In 2010, was named to the Southern California ODP Boys '94 Pool
• Has a 3.9 GPA at Dana Hills HS
• As a freshman was named the MVP of the varsity team

Nick Lima
Hometown: Castro Valley, Calif.
School: Castro Valley HS
Club: DeAnza Force Academy
Position: Forward

High School/Club
• Top Drawer Soccer rating: three stars
• Now with the DeAnza Force, previously played with the San Jose Earthquakes Academy
• Traveled to England with the S.J. club and played in multiple times with the S.J. reserve team (2011)
• Member of the Region IV ODP team (2007-08)
• Also played football at Castro Valley HS, as a running back, defensive back and kicker

Trevor Long
Hometown: Livermore, Calif.
School: Granada HS
Club: San Jose Earthquakes Academy
Position: Defender

High School/Club
• Top Drawer Soccer rating: four stars; No. 11 player in Northern California & Hawaii
• San Jose Earthquakes Academy teammate of fellow Cal recruit Randell Black
• Selected to the Cal North State ODP team (2007-08)
• Selected to the Region IV Players Poll (2008)
• Took part in Cal North State ODP (2009)

Tommy Padia
Hometown: Newport Coast, Calif.
School: Mater Dei HS
Club: Pateadores Academy
Position: Midfielder

High School/Club
• The 6-0 Padia sports a 3.6 GPA at Mater Dei HS
• Captain of his Mater Dei team
• All-Trinity First-Team selection (2011-12)

Christian Thierjung
Hometown: Dove Canyon, Calif.
School: Santa Margarita Catholic HS
Club: Strikers FC Academy
Position: Midfielder/Forward

High School/Club
• Top Drawer Soccer ratings: No. 62 nationally; No. 14 in Southern California; No. 30 midfielder
• College Soccer News rating: No. 85 nationally
• ESPNHS 150 rating: No. 44
• U.S. Soccer Development Academy player 2010-13
• Fellow Cal signee Matt Chasman also plays for the Strikers FC Academy
• As a freshman, was a starting player and a top goal scorer for the Santa Margarita Catholic HS varsity team