UNLV men’s soccer announces two new signings ahead of Fall 2021 season

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Juan Jose Becerra and Nicholas Likulia have signed to play for the UNLV men’s soccer team starting in Fall 2021, head coach Rich Ryerson announced.

Likulia transfers to UNLV after spending his junior year at Evansville this past spring, where he played in four games and made a pair of starts while scoring one goal, after missing the 2019 season with an injury. A native of Paris, France, he played his first two years of soccer in the United States for Iowa Lakes Community College, and had a stellar sophomore year, earning NJCAA first team all-region honors after pacing the team in scoring with 13 goals and nine assists for 35 points in 2018. That included four game-winning goals for the season as well.

“Nico is an experienced Division I transfer from the University of Evansville, and brings an impressive resume from his youth years playing for various clubs in France,” said Ryerson. “His dynamic offensive play will explode on the scene, both in the non-conference west coast matches and in our WAC Conference games. Most impressive for me is the character of Nico that we have witnessed through the recruiting process.”

Becerra, a 5-9 native of Cali, Columbia, is a defensive midfielder who led his high school, La Arboleda, to a 12-1 total record in 2019 and 2020. He was also a member of Deportivo Cali as a central midfielder from 2013-18, and also played central mid for Real Academia de Yumbo in 2019.

“Juan Jose is coming directly from the Colombian youth program “Sport Legends” and youth club powerhouse Deportivo Cali of the Colombian First Division,” said Ryerson. “We are excited to see him shield the back four in a holding midfield role, or play a box-to-box midfield role for us. He comes from a very commanding leadership position and will bring great qualities of influence to our program.”

Becerra and Likuila are the second and third players to join the Rebels for the fall, joining 2020 fall signee Lateef Omidiji Jr.