Brown men’s soccer signs eight recruits from MLS NEXT and ECNL programs

Brown University head men’s soccer coach Chase Wileman has announced eight newcomers to the program.

The Class of 2027 is ranked No. 30 in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer and is made up of: Lorenzo Amaral, Carlo Brown, Iyke Dafe, Diego Elizalde, Heechan Han, Carter Smith, Shayne Michael Thompson and Zion Wharton.

“Another great day for the program as we announce the Brown University Men’s Soccer class of 2027 – our first full recruiting class as a staff,” said Wileman. “We believe this is a special group of student-athletes that will thrive at Brown. It is a nationally ranked class and continues to show the momentum we have in building the program. They believe in us and we believe in them, we will do everything we can as a staff to help develop each of them to their full potential on and off the field.”

“Thank you for the hard work put in by Andy Parker, Marina Kelly and former assistant coach Jack Roberts. And also thank you to the families and all of the coaches who helped develop these young men to this point.”

“We look forward to preseason training in August!”

Scroll to find an in-depth look at each new Bear below.

Lorenzo Amaral
Forward | 5’10” | Orlando, Fla. | Orlando City / Florida Kraze Krush

• Offensive Player of the Year all four years at Oviedo High School
• Three-time team MVP
• Named First Team All-Conference all four years
• Seminole Men’s Soccer Player of the Year (2021)
• ECNL U17 Florida Conference Player of the Year and All-American
• Called up for ECNL National Training Camp, earning Best IX
• Selected for ECNL National Selection Game

Why Brown: “Not only did I choose to attend Brown because of the academic and diverse learning experience that it offers its students, I was specifically attracted to the school because of the connection I felt personally to the goals I want to achieve, in which I see Brown as a school that provides the path and opportunity for me to develop myself and attain both academic goals as a student, and athletic goals as an athlete.”

Carlo Brown
Forward | 6’0″ | New York, N.Y. | Met Oval / NYCFC

• Played club soccer for Met Oval and New York City FC
• U.S. Soccer Boys YNT Regional Identification Center

Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of their great soccer coaches and team as well as their strong academics.”

Iyke Dafe
Defender | 5’11” | Missouri City, Texas | Eclipse / Houston Dynamo Academy

• Named Houston Dynamo Academy Player of the Year
• Attended USYNT U-15 Domestic Training Camp
• No. 59 ranked recruit nationally
• No. 18 ranked defender nationally

Why Brown: “I chose Brown University because of the great academic level the school has and the value that my family and I place on education. While talking to Coach Wileman he made me feel that the school and program was a place that I could improve both as a person and as a player. He showed me how they valued me and how much they wanted me at the program and this made Brown seem like the perfect decision.

Diego Elizalde
Forward / Midfield | 5’9″ | Newport, Ore. | Portland Timbers Academy

• Played club soccer for the Portland Timbers Academy
• Multiple appearances for Portland Timbers 2 in MLS Next Pro

Why Brown: “The relationship I built with the coaches was phenomenal. The history of the school academically and also where the coaches see the soccer program going in the future. The opportunity to get a once in a life time experience at one of the most prestigious colleges in the world.”

Heechan Han
Defender | 6’0″ | Weston, Fla. | Weston FC / Inter Miami FC

• Twice selected for MLS Next All-Star Game
• Invited to train at the USA National Team ID Camp
• Ranked in the top-five percentage academically at Cypress Bay High School

Why Brown: “Amazing academics, great soccer team, and amazing community environment.”

Carter Smith
Defender | 5’10” | Jersey City, N.J. | Cedar Stars / New York Red Bulls Academy

• Member of the New York Red Bulls Academy Team
• Second Team All-Conference in Track & Field
• Caroline D. Bradley Scholar Award

Why Brown: “I chose Brown because I loved the people. I never got the sense that there was a sharp elbow culture here, and from my visits on campus I truly felt that everyone was extremely down to earth and welcoming. I also really enjoyed my conversations with the Brown Men’s Soccer staff, and could tell that they believed in my ability to continue maturing as both a player and student.”

Shayne Thompson
Defense | 6’3″ | Miramar, Fla. | Miramar United Elite FC

• Member of the Miramar United Elite FC
• Played varsity soccer at Archbishop McCarthy
• Miami Herald First Team (2022, 2023)
• Sun Sentinel First Team (2022, 2023)
• Led district in goals scored (2022, 2023)
• ECNL First Team All-Conference (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Why Brown: “I chose Brown because I loved the environment and the vision of the coaching staff. Also, I found interest in the open curriculum. I think it will help me succeed in what I want to pursue in the future.”

Zion Wharton
Midfielder | 6’0″ | Atlanta, Ga. | KSA / Concorde Fire

• Played club soccer for KSA and Concorde Fire
• First Team All-Region (2021)
• Named to the All-State Team (2022)

Why Brown: “Brown gives me the opportunity to play D1 soccer while also getting a great education.”