Feb. 3, 2000

College Park, Md.- - Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski announced today the signing of six National Letters of Intent for the 2000 season. Jason Arnold (Fairfax Station, Va.), Clarence Goodson (Springfield, Va.), Matt Roberts (Hillsborough, N.J.), Phillip Salyer (Dallas, Texas), Abe Thompson (Fairfax Station, Va.), and Brian Vitagliano (Scotsdale, Ariz.) all signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Maryland and play soccer for the Terrapins.

Arnold is a 5-9, 140-pound midfielder/forward who plays at Robinson High School. He was a member of the Braddock Road Warhawks club team who won the USYSA U-17 club championship last year. That team also showcased Goodson and Thompson. Cirovski sees Arnold as, "A very technically clean player with both feet. Jason will contribute in both the midfield and forward positions- a great combination player."

From W.T. Woodson, Goodson is a 6-2, 155-pound striker who was also a member of the Braddock Road Warhawks club team who won the USYSA club championship last year. According to Cirovski, "Clarence moves well off the ball and has a delicate touch for a big man. He has terrific instincts and is very tactically aware."

A 6-0, 180-pound defender/midfielder, Roberts is a high school All-American and a member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team pool. "Matt is a skillful player that puts his heart into everything he does," says Cirovski. "He will contribute both in the defensive midfield and on our backline immediately." Hailing from Belle Mead High School, he is a consensus Region One Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) member.

Salyer is a midfielder/defender combination from Northwest High School in Dallas, Texas, who recently vaulted onto the U.S. Under-20 National Team scene. At 5-10, 150-pounds, Salyer is a member of the Dallas Comets Club team. "Phillip is a very technically adept midfielder who can play with both feet and on both flanks," according to Cirovski. "He possesses a quiet inner confidence, but plays with flair and has tremendous awareness on both sides of the ball."

A member of the U.S. Under-17 National Team player, Thompson is the third player in Cirovski's recruiting class from nearby Fairfax, Va. Attends W.T. Woodson High School with Goodson and is a 6-0, 175-pound striker. He scored the first goal in the U-17 World Cup against New Zealand and led his club team, the Braddock Road Warhawks, to the USYSA National U-17 Club championship last year. Cirovski calls Thompson "A lethal goal scorer who also possesses a soft touch. Abe has great variety in his game to beat defenders. He's a great combination of athleticism and technical precision. He will be our 'go-to' forward." Both Salyer and Thompson will join current-Terp A.J. Herrera (Albuquerque, N.M.) as part of the 26-player pool for the next U.S Under-20 National Team on Feb. 6 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Rounding out the six-member class, Vitagliano is 5-8, 145-pound attacking midfielder/forward who played for the Sereno Golden Eagles Club Team in Scotsdale, Ariz. According to Cirovski, "A very agile and dynamic player, he can play in the attacking midfield and the wide midfield position. He loves to run at players and has a great ability to combine with forwards." A consensus Region 4 ODP member, he is from Horizon High School.

Cirovski had this to say about his 2000 freshman class, "There are three words that define this class: skill, character, and hunger. All of these players are technically skillful and like to play an attractive, attacking game. They all possess tremendous character and are individually admired by the coaches they played for, the people they played with, and the opponents they played against. They have a bit of a chip on their shoulder and want to make a name for themselves and put their imprint on our program as we continue our quest for the national title. With the exception of Abe, whom I consider the best goal-scorer coming out of high school, this is my 'sleeper class.' This is a determined group whose contributions over the next four years will be on par with any of our previously heralded classes."

The Maryland men's soccer team earned their sixth straight NCAA berth this past season. Their 14-win regular season marked the most wins in a regular season for the Terps in Maryland history.