Athletic Club Boise Builds Competitive Foundation with 12 Player SigningsAhead of Preseason in San Diego
USL1 Athletic Club Boise

Athletic Club Boise Builds Competitive Foundation with 12 Player SigningsAhead of Preseason in San Diego

Published on January 28, 2026 under United Soccer League One (USL1)
Athletic Club Boise News Release


BOISE, Idaho - Athletic Club Boise has signed 12 players as the club continues to build its inaugural roster ahead of the 2026 USL League One season. The group represents a blend of professional experience, international backgrounds, and emerging talent, positioning the club to compete immediately while establishing long-term standards.

"A lot of work has gone into this recruitment process, and we are very pleased with the core group of players we have been able to sign," said Head Coach Nate Miller. "Building 'Team 1' of Athletic Club Boise is a crucial project to get right, and a building block that will set a successful tone for the long term."

"It was really important for us to recruit a team that has the potential to win now and compete at the highest level, while also setting a foundation we can build upon for long-term success," Miller added. "Recruiting the highest quality of men to build the culture we want was of the utmost importance. We are very grateful to these talented players who have chosen this club, and we look forward to building together."

The team arrived in San Diego over the weekend for two weeks of preseason training at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, a 155-acre training facility for Olympic athletes, marking the next phase of preparation as the roster comes together on the field.

A Full-Circle Moment in San Diego

Preseason in San Diego carries special significance for Miller, who previously coached alongside Landon Donovan at San Diego Loyal SC. Athletic Club Boise will train on the same fields used during those preseason camps - now preparing a new club and a new identity in a familiar environment.

While in San Diego, Athletic Club Boise will also play a limited slate of preseason friendly matches against Los Angeles Football Club 2 (LAFC2) - the MLS NEXT Pro affiliate of Major League Soccer's LAFC - as well as San Diego State University, providing valuable competitive minutes as the roster comes together and prepares for the season.

Open- and Closed-Door Tryout Update

Last week, the club held a closed-door tryout featuring a targeted group of players the technical staff has been tracking for an extended period. In total, seven players from the closed-door tryout - including two open-tryout standouts - traveled with the team to San Diego on trial, with final roster decisions to be made during and following camp.

INAUGURAL ROSTER SIGNINGS (TO DATE)

All signings are pending league and federation approval

Goalkeeper

Javier Garcia | McAllen, Texas | Former Texoma FC

Proven USL League One and Championship goalkeeper

Known for shot-stopping, penalty saves, and command of the box

Defenders

Jonathan Ricketts | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Former Miami FC

Experienced across USL League One and Championship

Reliable, versatile defender with strong work rate

Jake Dengler | Baltimore, Maryland | Former FC Naples

6'5" center back and elite aerial presence

2025 All-USL League One Second Team honoree

Jake Crull | Heiligenkreuz, Austria | Former Forward Madison FC

Consistent League One defender and All-League selection

Tactical, disciplined, and reliable across the back line

Benian Yao | Waxhaw, North Carolina | Former UNC Asheville

Physical, commanding defender with leadership qualities

Strong organizer and set-piece presence

Midfielders

Blake Bodily | Boise, Idaho | Former Tampa Bay Rowdies

MLS and USL Championship veteran and Boise native

Two-way wide midfielder with leadership and hometown pride

Charlie Adams | Hendon, England | Former Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Veteran midfielder shaped by European and U.S. professional play

Controls tempo and provides leadership centrally

Nick Moon | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Former Tampa Bay Rowdies

Versatile wide midfielder with pace and two-way impact

Proven contributor across League One and Championship

Philip Mayaka | Nairobi, Kenya | Former Huntsville City FC

Former MLS SuperDraft No. 3 overall pick

Technical midfielder with vision and work rate

Tumi Moshobane | Soweto, South Africa | Former Charlotte Independence FC

Creative attacking midfielder with Championship experience

Dynamic playmaker with proven production

Denys Kostyshyn | Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine | Former FC Drita

Experienced European attacking midfielder

Goal-threatening playmaker with experience in European top divisions

Forward

Omar Yehya | Redlands, California | Former Ballard FC

WAC Golden Boot winner with pace and attacking versatility

Creative option capable of impacting games in advanced areas

Boise and the Beautiful Game

"This club is being built for Boise, and Idaho, and the people on the field are key to how this club shows up," said Athletic Club Boise CEO and Cofounder Brad Stith. "These players represent different backgrounds, different paths, and a shared love for the game - and now they're bringing that to our community. We're excited for fans in Boise to get to know them, to watch how they compete, and for these players to experience the passion and support that already exists here. Soccer is the world's game, and we believe it belongs in this city in a real, meaningful way."

Athletic Club Boise will continue preseason preparations in Idaho starting mid-February ahead of the club's season opener on March 7 and its home opener on April 4 at the Athletic Club Boise Stadium at Expo Idaho.

Check out the Athletic Club Boise Statistics

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United Soccer League One Stories from January 28, 2026


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