The Terps reload for 2025.
Maryland men’s soccer announced Wednesday the signing of six incoming freshman and three transfers for its 2025 season.
The Terps are coming off an up-and-down season in which they placed third in the Big Ten and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Wake Forest.
Transfers
Lasse Kelp, senior centerback, UMBC — Kelp takes a step up and moves about 45 minutes south after anchoring the Retrievers back line for three seasons. He is a two-time America East first-team member and a towering presence on the back line at 6-foot-3. Kelp will help replace the presence of William Kulvik, who will graduate.
Joseph Picotto, senior midfielder, UMBC — Kelp isn’t the only Retriever Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski sought in the transfer portal, as he also brought in Picotto to help bolster the midfield. Terps fans will remember Picotto for his late equalizer in Maryland’s season-opening draw at UMBC. He finished with five goals and two assists last season.
Tristen Rose, graduate centerback, University of Charleston — Rose brings postseason prowess from the DII level where he was a starting centerback on a team that made the DII national championship game.
Freshmen
Henry Bernstein, midfielder, Philadelphia — Bernstein is a product of the Philadelphia Union’s academy and a top-100 recruit, per TopDrawerSoccer.com. Cirovski described Bernstein as a box-to-box midfielder, potentially helping replace the loss of Leon Koehl.
Luke Burdett, midfielder, Woodstock, Maryland — Burdett is a local product who came up through DC United’s academy and played two years for Calvert Hall. According to Cirovski, he projects as a defensive midfielder or even a centerback.
Mateo Caride, forward, Argentina — Caride moved from Argentina to Canada to play for Vaughan SC, a club that has become a factory for Maryland men’s soccer. The team has lacked a pure goal-scorer up top and Caride could potentially fill that void.
Jackson Platts, defender, Orlando — Platts is a product of Orlando City’s academy and has played for the B team at the senior level as well. Cirovski said he is a centerback with the ability to play wingback as well.
Casey Price, defender, Forest Hill, Maryland — Price was a multiple-year standout at Archbishop Curley in Baltimore. He earned The Baltimore Sun All-Metro first-team honors his junior and senior seasons.
Rocket Ritarita, forward, Charlotte — Ritarita, like many of the freshman signees, is a product of his local MLS academy. Cirovski calls him “one of the best young strikers in the country”.