Duke men’s soccer adds depth ahead of 2022 season, signing 10 recruits

DURHAM – Duke men’s soccer coach John Kerr has announced the addition of 10 newcomers to Blue Devils program, beginning in the 2022 season.

“We are very excited to welcome this group of talented freshmen to the Duke soccer family,” said Kerr. “These dynamic players give us depth in every position and bring vast experience in playing at a very high level. We are looking forward to working with these quality young men this fall!”

The new additions come from prolific academic and club soccer backgrounds, as the Blue Devils look to add to a team that were ACC Co-Coastal Division champions and reached the third round of the NCAA Championship last season.

Kamran Acito

Position: Center Back
Hometown: Manhattan, N.Y.
High School: Trinity School
Club: New York City FC (NYCFC)

Before Duke: Competed at New York City FC Academy, beginning as a guest player in 2018 … Offered an amateur contract to compete with NYCFC’s inaugural MLS NEXT PRO team in the second tier of U.S. professional soccer … Played center back and served as the team captain …  Was a regular participant in NYCFC’s first team practice sessions … Active competitor with the U.S. Youth National Soccer team … Named a U-20 reserve for the team’s international tournament in Mexico … Invited to the U-17 U.S Men’s National Team’s domestic training camp to prepare for the U-17 World Cup (postponed due to COVID-19) … Went on trial with Liverpool FC’s U-15 squad in March 2018 … Prior to NYCFC, was a captain at New York Starts Premier Galaxy, winning the 2018 National Club championship … Competed for Trinity High School, leading the team to a New York State Prep championship in 2018 … Named an All-Ivy Prep League honoree as a freshman and sophomore.

Bryce Barnum

Position: Outside Back/Winger
Hometown: League City, Texas
High School: Texas Connections Academy
Club: Houston Dynamo Academy

Before Duke: Spent seven years at Houston Dynamo Academy, competing as an outside back and winger … Prior to joining Houston Dynamo FC, spent five seasons playing for Space City F.C. … Also, an accomplished basketball player, competing for 11 years as a point guard … Won the League City Athlete of the Year Award in 2014 … Four-year honor roll student at Texas Connections Academy.

Alex Bonnington

Position: Striker
Hometown: Rotherham, England
High School: Wickersley School and Sports College
Club: Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

Before Duke: Competed in the Sheffield Wednesday F.C. system and Professional Development league in both U18 and U23 action … Developed a reputation as an elite goal scorer with the club, leading the team in goals the past four seasons … Served as a team captain for the U18 squad during the 2020-21 season … In 2019, was a part of the runner-up squad at the U18 LFE Preseason Tournament … Helped lead his side to a Youdan tournament win in 2018 … Also competed for his high school prior to Sheffield Wednesday, leading Wickersley to four consecutive South Yorkshire Cup championships from 2015-18 … Also, helped Wickersley reach the semifinals of the English Schools Cup in 2017.

Wayne Frederick

Position: Left Back/Left Wing
Hometown: Cabin John, Md.
High School: St. Albans
Club: Bethesda SC

Before Duke: Competed for MLS Next side Bethesda SC, beginning his first season in the academy in 2014 … Helped the U-17 squad reach the quarterfinals of the MLS Next Playoffs in 2021 … Three-year letterwinner in soccer at St. Albans … Named an All-American in 2021, helping lead St. Albans to a D.C. State Championship … Named the 2021 D.C. State Player of the Year … Two-time All-Conference selection in 2019 and 2021 … Scored 16 goals and eight assists for St. Albans … Nominated for the 2022 D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year Award … Active member of the Black Affinity Group and Jack and Jill, while also volunteering at the D.C. Central Kitchen and A Wider Circle.

Axel Gudbjornsson

Position: Center Back
Hometown: Reykjavik, Iceland
High School: Commercial College of Iceland
Club: Fylkir

Before Duke: Spent his entire youth career with Fylkir, beginning at five years old … Made his professional debut with the club in 2020 … Has made 11 appearances with the club in his time at Fylkir … Helped lead his team to an Iber Cup youth football championship in 2018 … Was also an active handball player, playing the sport from 2012-2016 … Received outstanding academic achievement honors by Commercial College of Iceland … Also, earned outstanding academic achievement honors from Vardur Insurance Company in economics and by Price Waterhouse Coopers in financial accounting.

Kenan Hot

Position: Center Midfield
Hometown: Lincroft, N.J.
High School: Middletown South
Club: New York City FC II

Before Duke: Most recently competed for New York FC II of MLS Next Pro … Joined the team following a stint with USL Championship side Hartford Athletic, where he logged seven professional appearances and scored a goal … Came up in the New York Red Bulls academy, competing by for New York Red Bulls II in 2020 … Made eight appearances for the club and played 455 minutes … Logged several appearances with United States U-15 National Team scoring a goal and earning 10 caps … was set for camp with U-17 side before the COVID-19 pandemic … Earned several trials with renowned international clubs, including Arsenal, AS Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach … Has also spent time with USL League Two side FC Motown, making 14 appearances and recording six assists.

Drew Kerr

Position: Center Midfielder
Hometown: Hillsborough, N.C.
High School: Accelerator School
Club: North Carolina FC

Before Duke: Competed for USL League One side North Carolina FC … Came up in North Carolina FC’s academy, competing with the club from 2016-2022, while making several appearances for the team’s U-23 side … Made his professional debut with North Carolina FC on October 1, 2021, against Toronto FC II … Is set to join his father and head coach John Kerr and older brother Cameron Kerr as members of the Duke men’s soccer program.

Josh Kim

Position: Defensive Midfield/Outside Back
Hometown: Whitestone, N.Y.
High School: Cardenas (Bueno Aires, Argentina)
Club: Atlanta (Argentina)

Before Duke: Competed for several clubs in Argentina, including Atlanta, Español, Argentinos Juniors and Ferro Carril Oeste … Played on Atlanta’s second team before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic … Was named a team captain at Español, tallying three goals and seven assists … Won back-to-back Buenos Aires Cup championships at Español … Earned trials at Burgos and Valladolid in Spain before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jackson Lagos

Position: Center Midfield
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
High School: The Blake School
Club: Minnesota United

Before Duke: Most recently was a member of Minnesota United’s Academy, beginning with his first season in 2019 … Competed under his father, Manny Lagos, who is the chief of soccer operations at Minnesota United … Actively trained with the first and second team at Minnesota United … Finished top of the group in MLS Next fest in 2021 … Was a part of Minneapolis United prior, helping them win a state championship in 2018 … Played high school soccer at The Blake School, helping the team win a state championship in 2018 … Led the team in assists as a freshman and earned an All-State honor in that season … Named an AP Scholar at Blake … Also was an admissions ambassador.

Jose Ortega

Position: Winger/Attacking Midfield
Hometown: Bethesda, Md.
High School: Georgetown Preparatory School
Club: Bethesda SC

Before Duke: Comes to Durham after a decorated tenure at Bethesda SC … Won several titles across his time with Bethesda SC, including the State Cup, Regional, EDP Cup, OBGC and Dallas Cup … The top goal scorer on the east coast and a top-10 goal scorer nationally … Earned trials with several different international clubs, including the Arsenal Puma Trials (2016-17), Mainz, Darmstadt & Sandhausen (Germany, 2017-18) … Competed with the Guatemala U-17 National Team for a CONCACAF tournament in 2019 … Earned First Honors for three years at Georgetown Prep … A part of the Spanish Club, Business Club, KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) and Best Buddies.

The Blue Devils will open their season in August, with the 2022 schedule to be revealed soon.