CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – After his first full season at the helm of the Harvard men's soccer program was canceled due to COVID-19, Josh Shapiro, The Virginia B. and James O. Welch, Jr. '52 Head Coach for Harvard Men's Soccer, is set to welcome nine student-athletes to the roster for the 2021 season.
 
The incoming members of the Class of 2025 hail from three states, the District of Columbia, Iceland, Germany, Monaco and Serbia.
 
"We are incredibly excited about our incoming class of nine student-athletes" said Shapiro. "This group has talent, pedigree, character, and a strong desire to positively impact our program and the Harvard community. Through the hard work of our staff, particularly Coach Ciuffetelli and Coach Fucito, this class brings diverse backgrounds and playing experiences that will contribute to our team immediately this fall. I cannot wait to start working with them in August."
 
Learn more about the nine newcomers below:
 
Alessandro Arlotti | Forward | 5-9 | Monaco
A multi-year member of the Italian youth National Teams where he was a quarter finalist in the U17 World Cup in Brazil as well as finalist in The U17 European Championship in Dublin…Was a member of AS Monaco FC's Academy for 11 years before moving to Delfino Pescara 1936 of Italy's Series B during 2020-21...While at Monaco he was the captain of the U17 team where he was the leading scorer with 22 goals and 12 assists in 23 matches…At the U19's level he scored nine goals and added 11 assists while leading his team to the quarterfinals of the French National Championship…Was an honor roll student in school…Brother, Gianluca, studies and plays soccer at Boston University
 
Sam Bjarnason | Defense/Midfield | 6-1 | Washington, D.C. | Sidwell Friends School
A member of Bethesda Soccer Club from 2017-21 where he was a part of the US Soccer Development and MLS Next Academy Teams…Was the team captain each year with Bethesda where he also led the team in scoring for both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons…Was a National Merit Scholar Finalist as well as a Presidential Scholar Nominee in 2021
 
Edwin Dominguez | Defense | 5-10 | Riverside, Calif. | Ramona High School
A member of FC Golden State from 2017-21 where he was part of the US Soccer Development Academy and ECNL Teams…Was named in TopDrawerSoccer's US Soccer Development Academy Showcase Best Xl in 2018…At Ramona High School he was a member of Student Government, the College and Career Fair Committee as well as the musical ensemble, Mariachi Dinastia de Ramona…Was named one of the City of Riverside's 25 Most Remarkable Teens in 2021
 
Max Goeggel | Midfield | 5-11 | Napa Valley, Calif. | International School of Stuttgart
Four-year member of the youth academy of VfB Stuttgart in the Junior Bundesliga in Germany…Participated in both American and German youth national teams…Three-time South/Southwest German Junior Bundesliga Champion as well as a two-time Bundesliga Cup Champion…President of the NGO, Kiva.org, student program in high school…Spent 2020-21 year as an intern at SB Architects in San Francisco, Calif.
 
Kristján Gunnarsson | Defense/Midfield | 5-10 | Kópavogur, Iceland | Commercial College of Iceland
Played for Breiðablik for six years while working his way through the youth teams to making an appearance for the First Team…Has been invited to Iceland's youth national team training camps…Has won multiple youth academy championships as well as finishing runner up in the U19 League… Winner of the U19 Youth Cup in 2019…President of two community engagement clubs in high school
 
Marko Isakovic | Midfield | 5-10 | Belgrade, Serbia | International School of Helsingborg
Grew up playing in the Red Star Belgrade Academy before moving to Sweden where he played for Helsingborgs IF from 2018-21…Was a starter on the U17 Helsingborgs IF team that won the Allsvenskan Södra (Top U17 Division in Sweden) while also serving as a captain of the club…Finished fourth in Sweden's Best Mathematicians National Championship in 2016 and 2017…Earned a bronze medal in an international mathematics competition in Belgrade
 
Ryan Nguyen | Goalkeeper | 5-10 | Clinton, Conn. | The Morgan School
A member of Beachside Soccer Club from 2017-21 where he was a part of the US Soccer Development and MLS Next Academy Teams…Has trained with Charlton Athletic and Manchester City in England as well as Estudiantes de L.P Academy in Argentina…In school he was a member of Spanish, Technical and National Honors Societies…In his community he has volunteered at his church, the local food pantry, and has worked to build computers for local families in need
 
Jan Riecke | Defense | 6-1 | Berlin, Germany | John F. Kennedy School Berlin
A four-year starter and captain in the Youth Bundesliga for FC Union Berlin…A five-year player for the Berlin State All Star Team while also receiving an invitation to the Youth German National Team training camp…Played percussion in the high school band all four years
 
Ludovico Rollo | Defense | 6-0 | Boston, Mass. | Boston Latin School
A member of Boston Bolts Academy from 2017-21 where he was a part of the US Soccer Development and MLS Next Academy Teams while also serving as a captain each year…Was twice named in New England's Best Xl by New England Soccer Journal…Has served as the President of Boston Latin's Student Council for four years…Placed third at the National Student Leadership Summit…In 2020 he was recognized in Boston Business Journal and Bostinno's 25 under 25 Rising Innovators…Siblings Allegra and Federico attended Harvard