IRVINE, Calif. --- National Signing Day is just the tip of the iceberg for head coach Yossi Raz and UC Irvine men's soccer starting with two premier additions during the first days of the signing period.

Coach Raz noted the staff is far from done as constructing this signing class, but can't help but be elated at the quality they are leading with.

"We are extremely excited to add both Josh and Roman to our UCI family. The both possess the needed qualities to prosper at our prestigious university as they both are well-rounded humans with excellent core values, great academic backgrounds, and many futbol qualities that fit our program.

In a unique recruiting time, these two will serve as a solid base to a class that is continuously evolving. As we expect to add others, we are certain that Josh and Roman will allow us to keep building to the future of our program."
  

Student-Athlete	Ht / Wt	Year	Position	Hometown	School / Clubs
Josh Kenworthy	6-2 / 180	Freshman	Defender	San Diego, Calif.	Del Norte HS / Albion San Diego SC / Atlanta United FC / San Diego Surf
Roman Warren	5-9 / 160	Freshman	Midfielder	Sacramento, Calif.	IMG Academy / Sacramento Republic FC Academy

Josh Kenworthy | Freshman, DEF - The Anteaters add a talented player along the backline in Josh Kenworthy. His story has a cross-country twist being born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and spending time with the Atlanta United FC academy team there while spending most of his time in the club scene in San Diego where he currently resides. Kenworthy attended Del Norte High School, but spent most of his soccer time in the club scene between Albion SC San Diego and San Diego Surf where he's contributed a couple goals, but made his mark on the defensive end.

His family has deep roots in soccer as well beginning with each of his parents playing in college. His father, Lane, starred at Harvard while his mother, Kimberly, was a Wisconsin Badger, and most of his siblings have taken up the sport as well. He and his family still return to Georgia often during the summer, and, aside from the obvious support of Atlanta United FC, is a big fan of Barcelona and the talents of Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique. Kenworthy is glad to stay in Southern California as an Anteater attending UCI where he's fond of the high standards in academics, in soccer, and the coaching staff.



Roman Warren | Freshman, MID - A winger by trade, Roman Warren has trekked a similar route to his fellow signee through the youth level. Growing up in Sacramento, he's always had eyes on playing in California especially for the UCI where he notes is "one of the best program in California and the country." When it came time for high school, Warren was off to the east coast and Bradenton, Florida where he attended the illustrious IMG Academy. His soccer talents have put him up against the likes of the Jamaican youth national team, putting home a hat trick in last year's developmental academy showcase, and taking down Orlando City SC most recently.

Like Kenworthy, he too comes from an athletically-minded family beginning with his father, Allen, was a three-sport star and competed at Cal State Hayward before getting a chance in the New York Yankees organization. His mother, Gina, shone on the track at Cal as well, and each of his siblings have made a name in their sports of taekwondo and volleyball. His support in professional soccer is split between Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund while admiring the skill of players like Alphonso Davies and Sadio Mane. Soccer isn't the only sport he cheers on with loyalty to the hometown Sacramento Kings and players like Russell Westbrook and Kobe Bryant and even the transcendant Muhammad Ali.

His talents flow into the classroom as well where he has multiple honor roll honors, was vice president of the National Honors Society, and was part of the Neighborhood Wellness Foundation back in Sacramento. Warren is also proudly bilingual in Spanish which is one of the few majors he has his eye on. Overall, this collection of talents was recognized by head coach Yossi Raz and the staff of whom Warren spoke highly of saying "the coaches made me feel valued as a player and a person."