University of Washington men’s soccer team signs three local products

SEATTLE – The Washington Huskies men’s soccer program announced three new additions for the 2021-22 season.

Cooper Brunell, Josh O’Brien and Chris Peretti will join the Huskies as freshmen in 2021. All three are local products coming from Washington state.

Jamie Clark emphasized the importance of local talent, saying that “Washington players are the core of our program. We love guys who have a pride in representing their state and who understand the pride of wearing the purple and gold. With this class we have three young men who we have been able to watch and get to know for the last few years. They are all very talented players and we know they are the type of young men that are driven and committed to become the best they can be.  As a coach, there are no players I’d rather bring into our program than Josh, Chris and Cooper as I know that they embody what our program is about.”

Cooper Brunell

Brunell comes to the Huskies as a highly-ranked recruit, meriting placement in Top Drawer Soccer’s top 150. In his club career, Brunell has excelled with Crossfire Premier: in 2019, he scored ten goals in 18 games as a midfielder. In each of the last three years, Brunell has scored at least five goals for Crossfire Premier. Brunell joins five other Crossfire alums on the Husky roster: Charlie Ostrem, Ethan Bartlow, Christian Soto, Nate Jones, and Cole Grimsby.

“Cooper is an incredible young man and a great player,” said Clark. “The combination of his drive to win and incredible training habits make him a player that every coach wants on his team. He’s technically very good but also has a great soccer brain which allows him to play any position in the front six.”

Josh O’Brien

A local talent, O’Brien has earned Washington State Championships Best XI and Washington Youth Soccer Challenge Cup Best XI already in his career. He started 15 games for Seattle Sounders FC’s youth program in 2018, scoring six goals.

Clark had great things to say about O’Brien’s future: “Josh has been coming to our camps since I arrived at Washington ten years ago. We know Josh better than almost any recruit we’ve brought to UW. He’s a soccer junky and this stands out when he’s on the ball as he’s an incredibly clean and efficient player. He’s technically great and understands how the game should be played, which will help him adapt to our team.”

Chris Peretti

Peretti, from Spokane, Washington, led Gonzaga Prep into the Washington State Championships in 2019, even scoring two goals during a District 8 qualifying match. As a sophomore, Peretti scored six goals in nine matches.

“I have a great relationship with the coaching staff and recognize the fantastic soccer program and rich culture on campus,” said Peretti. “I will be pushed both athletically and academically and look forward to coming out as a better man in both of those areas.”

Clark was just as excited to have Peretti, saying that “Chris has smile that will light up room, and a personality that can lift a team. He’s a tough and determined competitor but does it with a grace that’s uncommon. He’s physically impressive and will make defenders nervous when he’s running at them.”

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