“I am very excited to announce my commitment to Sierra College. I want to thank Coach Todd Decarlo for helping me develop as a player and person and my teammates, who have made my last few years of club soccer unforgettable. Another thank you to my high school coach, Dave Zinzun. Most importantly, thank you to my mom and dad. They have never stopped supporting me; I can always rely on them. Thank you, Coach Jason, for the opportunity to play next year!” —Riley Allred 
“I am excited to announce my commitment to American River College. I thank all my teammates for pushing me every season to become a better player. I thank my coaches, Jeremy Palumbo, Harvie Millier, Dominik Jakubek, Leandro Barge, Richard Spencer, Bashar Alsakati, and Paul Benvenuti. You have all contributed to my development in the game in so many ways over the past several years helping me to become the player I am today. I especially want to thank my family for supporting me and being the best fans ever. I look forward to continuing my soccer career at the next level under Coach Paul Hansen. I appreciate the opportunity and am ready for many new challenges. Go, Beavers!” —Julian Smith 
“I am so happy to announce my verbal commitment to Southern Oregon University to play college soccer and continue my academic journey! SOU is a truly wonderful school, and I’m so elated to be taking the next step in my soccer career. I’d like first to thank my family. They’re always by my side, supporting me through my development. From the drives to and from practices + training and traveling to games and showcases, they’ve always been there for me and believed in me throughout the recruiting process. Of course, I’d also love to thank the coaches who have been there for me and were instrumental in my development; Jose Ordaz, Krissy Looney, Ron Benjamin, Andrew Shuter, and Ariel + Oren Rosenmann. These individuals have helped me tremendously to get to this spot in my soccer career. I can not thank them enough. Much love to my friends and teammates, who helped mold me into who I am today. And, of course, Coach Jenni and her staff for believing in me. I’m so excited to play under the SOU Name. Southern Oregon is a perfect fit, and I’m so happy to join such a kind, talented, lovely team in such an ideal environment. I can’t wait for this new chapter in my life. Go Raiders!” — Payton Griffin 
Placer United is pleased to announce two new staff positions for the U8-U12 programs (7v7 and 9v9). Join us in welcoming Martin Johnson and Bryan “BJ ” Glass as technical directors who will be valuable assets in assisting our coaches and players in reaching their technical potential and prepare them for 11v11 soccer. The goals for these positions are to help make our younger players technical wizards with the ball and gain an understanding of smaller-sided tactical decisions within the game. Additionally, the technical directors will support coaches in the younger-age teams and ensure they are armed with everything they need to succeed.
Martin Johnson, Technical Director – Boys U8-U12Since joining the Club in 2020, Martin has quickly demonstrated his ability to create fun and dynamic sessions to maximize our younger players’ development.
“Martin’s calm demeanor and attention to the technical details we value so highly at the Club make him the perfect candidate to oversee both coaches and players in the discovery phase and into the skill-acquisition phase of our player development model,” said Kevin Unsworth, Boys Director of Coaching.
After a 10-year youth playing career with Placer United, Coach BJ returned to the Club in 2012 as a staff coach and has been in this role for 11 years. Throughout his coaching career, Coach BJ has worked with our club teams at all levels and coaches at the high school and junior college levels.
“Coach BJ has proven that he is passionate about the game, continuing to advance his coaching education and his dedication to the development of our Placer United players,” said Ron Benjamin, Girls Director of Coaching.
Placer United focuses on the quality and dedication of our coaching staff. This is a well-deserved promotion for Coach Martin and Coach BJ as they look to better themselves as a coach/director and mentor to others.
“I am blessed to announce my commitment to William Jessup University. I want to thank my friends, coaches, and teammates for always being there for me. I am so grateful and forever indebted to my parents for supporting me all these years. Most importantly, I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity. Excited to grow as a player and person. Go, Warriors!” — Andrew Yang 
“I am incredibly excited to announce my commitment to playing soccer at Folsom Lake College. I want to thank my dad for being my first coach and for helping me develop as a player, still as my coach. Without him, I would never have succeeded. And thank you to everyone who played a part in my success; I will always be grateful to all my coaches and teammates for pushing me to the limit. I plan to play for FLC, then transfer to continue my journey as a student-athlete and pursue business at a 4-year.” —Andrea Hernandez 
“I am excited and blessed to announce my verbal commitment to play soccer at Chico State for the next four years. I want to thank my coaches, Jason Gantt, Matt Scammacca, Joel Williams, and Chris Starr, through the recruiting process. I also appreciate my teammates pushing me and my parents relentlessly supporting me for the past 14 years. Go Wildcats!”—Darius Dukes 
Placer United is well-represented amongst the various high school leagues in the greater Sacramento region. Placer United boasts twenty-seven girls who earned 1st Team All-League honors for the 2022-2023 season:
Bella Vista – Ayla Hardenburgh
Casa Roble – Lauren Romumowicz
Colfax – Chey Ackerman
Del Oro – Kiana Faucette, Izzy Scott
Oakmont – Hannah Andreasen
Oakridge – Samantha Liaty, Savanah Miller
Placer – Meghan Bennion
Ponderosa – Brooklyn Hayes
Rocklin – Shannon Porubski, Haley Simmons, Caitlin Winter
Rosemont – Andrea Hernandez
Roseville – Gwen Forman, Hailee Jones
Thomas Downey (Modesto) – Caroline Souza
Turlock – Jenna Dean
Twelve Bridges – Kelsey Bartlett, Kelsey Kurland, Stella-Grace Tamayo, Chloe Van Winkle, Josie Young
Vista Del Lago – Makena Gradek, Taylor Grover
Whitney – Gabby Starr
Woodcreek – Lexi Schroeder
It was a complicated process to track and compile this list. If we missed anyone named a 1st team all-conference female player for the 2022-2023 season, please let us know, and we will add you.
Congrats to all on a great high school soccer season!
“I am blessed and excited to announce my verbal commitment to play soccer for William Jessup University. I want to thank my coaches, Ron Benjamin and Don Finley, who helped me develop as a soccer player. I’d also like to thank my family and God, who has helped me every step of the way. Go, Warriors!” — Miki Olariu
“I am thrilled to announce my commitment to Pomona College, where I will invest the next four years of my life into growing my education and playing collegiate soccer. I am very indebted to the past coaches and teammates who have guided me throughout this journey. I am forever thankful to my family for the past 17 years of endless support. There is much more in store for me. Go Sagehens!” —Daniel Yoon 