Temple University Athletics
Men's Soccer Signs Six Mid-Years to 2019 Roster
1.25.19 | Men's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA – Temple men's soccer head coach Brian Rowland and his coaching staff have announced the first six members of an extremely talented 2019 recruiting class. The group features players from all over the world that have come to join the Owls for the spring of 2019.
"We are very excited to be adding six quality student-athletes to our program this spring," said Rowland. "Recruiting is the life blood of any program, and we feel that we have been able to strengthen our team and program with these additions. These young men share the goals and ambition of our current team and the program here at Temple, and we are looking forward to their contributions over the coming years."
The talented class features players from France, Mexico, Israel, Canada and America, consisting of student-athletes ranging from freshmen to graduate students.
Mickael Borger / 5-9 / 170 / So. / D / Joeuf, France / Lycée louis Bertrand
Before Temple
Played club for Boulogne sur mer in the third division of France from 2016-18...Dished out five assists and one goal from his defensive position…Played for Amneville in the fourth division of France from 2018-19, where he contributed two assists.
Why Temple
"I chose Temple for the quality of the University with a strong and positive reputation, and the elite soccer program with a great coaching staff. I also look forward to exploring the city of Philadelphia, an amazing and historic place."
From Coach Rowland
"Mickael joins us from a very high level in France, and will bring a lot of quality to our team. He is a very technical and athletic defender, who will be a very strong addition to our program. Mickael is very much a modern attacking outside back, and we are excited to have him with us this spring."
Corey Burkhardt / 5-7 / 140 / Sr. / D / Palmyra, Pa. / Seton Hall / Lower Dauphin
Before Temple
Transferred to Temple after playing three seasons at Seton Hall...In 2018, saw time in 12 matches, drawing eight starts…In 2017, played in all 17 matches, starting six...Played in eight games as a freshman, starting five of those matches…Fired off 22 shots over his three years as a Pirate, contributing one assist…Named to the BIG East All-Academic Team from 2015-18…Before SHU, played two years with the PA Classics U16-U18 Academy teams in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy…Team was fourth in the nation going into the USSDA Playoffs during U16 season…Team defense was ranked sixth in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Why Temple
"I chose Temple because it provided me the opportunity to continue competing at the Division I level with a top tier program, the ability to play with my younger brother, Andrew, as well as accomplish my lifelong goal of completing my master's degree."
From Coach Rowland
"Corey brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our program. He has been a key player and regular contributor at the Division I level. We expect Corey to compete immediately at a few different positions, as he possesses the skill and technique we value in our team."
Amir Cohen / 5-6 / Fr. / M / Givatayim, Israel / Ort Givatayim
Before Temple
Played soccer in the first and second division of Israel…Played 14 games for Hapoel Ramat Gan in the second division, where he tallied two goals and six assists…Saw action in 27 games for the U20 first division squad, contributing six goals and eight assists.
Why Temple
"I chose Temple for the quality of the men's soccer program and the great university."
From Coach Rowland
"Amir is an extremely talented midfielder who will add a lot to our team. He brings a level of experience and a very good understanding of how we want the team here at Temple to play. He is a very technical player, who possesses very good vision and the ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates."
Christian Contreras / 5-6 / 145 / Fr. / M / Hightstown, N. J. / Hightstown
Before Temple
Recorded six goals and seven assists in nine games as a senior at Hightstown High School...Was a member of Philadelphia Union USSDA from 2014-2017…Has been called into multiple U.S Youth National Team combines.
Why Temple
"Temple offers a first class education, and the opportunity to play makes the experience even more exciting. After my injury, the belief the coaching staff had in me to come in and compete at a very high level sparked my interest. It's a team that has high expectations and I am very excited to be a part of it."
From Coach Rowland
"We are very happy to have Christian join us this spring. He was set to get to Temple this past fall, but an injury delayed his arrival. Christian is a very talented and technical midfield player who we expect to bring a lot of quality and determination to our team."
Tyrese Edwards / 5-10 / 175 / So. / F / Brampton, Ontario / Duquesne / Cardinal Ambrozic
Before Temple
Transfer from Duquesne, where he saw action in 15 games, drawing four starts as a freshman…Recorded two goals against Bloomsburg (8/27)…Ranked as the No. 50 forward in the class of 2017 by TopDrawerSoccer...Led his team (Woodbridge Strikers SC) and league in goals for two years…Recorded 26 goals and 14 assists in his first season, followed by 32 goals and 12 assists the next…Helped his club team to back-to-back Ontario Cup Championships (2015 & 2016)…Finished second at the Canadian National Championships in 2015, and third in 2016…Called up by Trinidad and Tobago for their U20 and U17 Youth National teams.
Why Temple
"The athletic history and culture at Temple really drew me in. After speaking with the staff, I immediately knew it would be a place that will push me to perform at a high level and work towards achieving my dreams."
From Coach Rowland
"We are very excited to welcome Tyrese to our team. He is an extremely athletic and dangerous attacking player that will bring a very threatening dynamic to our team. Having Tyrese here this spring is very valuable and will allow him to connect with our other attacking pieces and form important relationships on the field."
Esteban Suarez Gomez / 5-7 / 164 / So. / D / Mexico City, Mexico / Anahuac Queretaro
Before Temple
Played one year at Anahuac Queretaro…Played six years for the Pumas, Universidad Nacional…Played for the U17 and U20 second division teams in Mexico.
Why Temple
"My parents really influenced me to come to Temple to play soccer. Both are the kind of people that I want to be in the future, and because of them I work my hardest to be the best version of myself on and off the field."
From Coach Rowland
"Esteban is a very technical player who brings a lot of quality to our defensive group. He is a committed defender who can also bring skill and composure on the ball. He is a high-level player, and we expect him to compete right away this spring."
"We are very excited to be adding six quality student-athletes to our program this spring," said Rowland. "Recruiting is the life blood of any program, and we feel that we have been able to strengthen our team and program with these additions. These young men share the goals and ambition of our current team and the program here at Temple, and we are looking forward to their contributions over the coming years."
The talented class features players from France, Mexico, Israel, Canada and America, consisting of student-athletes ranging from freshmen to graduate students.
Mickael Borger / 5-9 / 170 / So. / D / Joeuf, France / Lycée louis Bertrand
Before Temple
Played club for Boulogne sur mer in the third division of France from 2016-18...Dished out five assists and one goal from his defensive position…Played for Amneville in the fourth division of France from 2018-19, where he contributed two assists.
Why Temple
"I chose Temple for the quality of the University with a strong and positive reputation, and the elite soccer program with a great coaching staff. I also look forward to exploring the city of Philadelphia, an amazing and historic place."
From Coach Rowland
"Mickael joins us from a very high level in France, and will bring a lot of quality to our team. He is a very technical and athletic defender, who will be a very strong addition to our program. Mickael is very much a modern attacking outside back, and we are excited to have him with us this spring."
Corey Burkhardt / 5-7 / 140 / Sr. / D / Palmyra, Pa. / Seton Hall / Lower Dauphin
Before Temple
Transferred to Temple after playing three seasons at Seton Hall...In 2018, saw time in 12 matches, drawing eight starts…In 2017, played in all 17 matches, starting six...Played in eight games as a freshman, starting five of those matches…Fired off 22 shots over his three years as a Pirate, contributing one assist…Named to the BIG East All-Academic Team from 2015-18…Before SHU, played two years with the PA Classics U16-U18 Academy teams in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy…Team was fourth in the nation going into the USSDA Playoffs during U16 season…Team defense was ranked sixth in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com.
Why Temple
"I chose Temple because it provided me the opportunity to continue competing at the Division I level with a top tier program, the ability to play with my younger brother, Andrew, as well as accomplish my lifelong goal of completing my master's degree."
From Coach Rowland
"Corey brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our program. He has been a key player and regular contributor at the Division I level. We expect Corey to compete immediately at a few different positions, as he possesses the skill and technique we value in our team."
Amir Cohen / 5-6 / Fr. / M / Givatayim, Israel / Ort Givatayim
Before Temple
Played soccer in the first and second division of Israel…Played 14 games for Hapoel Ramat Gan in the second division, where he tallied two goals and six assists…Saw action in 27 games for the U20 first division squad, contributing six goals and eight assists.
Why Temple
"I chose Temple for the quality of the men's soccer program and the great university."
From Coach Rowland
"Amir is an extremely talented midfielder who will add a lot to our team. He brings a level of experience and a very good understanding of how we want the team here at Temple to play. He is a very technical player, who possesses very good vision and the ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates."
Christian Contreras / 5-6 / 145 / Fr. / M / Hightstown, N. J. / Hightstown
Before Temple
Recorded six goals and seven assists in nine games as a senior at Hightstown High School...Was a member of Philadelphia Union USSDA from 2014-2017…Has been called into multiple U.S Youth National Team combines.
Why Temple
"Temple offers a first class education, and the opportunity to play makes the experience even more exciting. After my injury, the belief the coaching staff had in me to come in and compete at a very high level sparked my interest. It's a team that has high expectations and I am very excited to be a part of it."
From Coach Rowland
"We are very happy to have Christian join us this spring. He was set to get to Temple this past fall, but an injury delayed his arrival. Christian is a very talented and technical midfield player who we expect to bring a lot of quality and determination to our team."
Tyrese Edwards / 5-10 / 175 / So. / F / Brampton, Ontario / Duquesne / Cardinal Ambrozic
Before Temple
Transfer from Duquesne, where he saw action in 15 games, drawing four starts as a freshman…Recorded two goals against Bloomsburg (8/27)…Ranked as the No. 50 forward in the class of 2017 by TopDrawerSoccer...Led his team (Woodbridge Strikers SC) and league in goals for two years…Recorded 26 goals and 14 assists in his first season, followed by 32 goals and 12 assists the next…Helped his club team to back-to-back Ontario Cup Championships (2015 & 2016)…Finished second at the Canadian National Championships in 2015, and third in 2016…Called up by Trinidad and Tobago for their U20 and U17 Youth National teams.
Why Temple
"The athletic history and culture at Temple really drew me in. After speaking with the staff, I immediately knew it would be a place that will push me to perform at a high level and work towards achieving my dreams."
From Coach Rowland
"We are very excited to welcome Tyrese to our team. He is an extremely athletic and dangerous attacking player that will bring a very threatening dynamic to our team. Having Tyrese here this spring is very valuable and will allow him to connect with our other attacking pieces and form important relationships on the field."
Esteban Suarez Gomez / 5-7 / 164 / So. / D / Mexico City, Mexico / Anahuac Queretaro
Before Temple
Played one year at Anahuac Queretaro…Played six years for the Pumas, Universidad Nacional…Played for the U17 and U20 second division teams in Mexico.
Why Temple
"My parents really influenced me to come to Temple to play soccer. Both are the kind of people that I want to be in the future, and because of them I work my hardest to be the best version of myself on and off the field."
From Coach Rowland
"Esteban is a very technical player who brings a lot of quality to our defensive group. He is a committed defender who can also bring skill and composure on the ball. He is a high-level player, and we expect him to compete right away this spring."
Players Mentioned
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