Men’s Soccer Introduces Eight Newcomers for 2026 Season
6/24/2026 1:31:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Seven first years and one sophomore transfer join the Lions
NEW YORK — Head coach Michael Casper officially introduced eight newcomers to the 2026 Columbia men's soccer roster on Wednesday. The balanced incoming class includes two goalkeepers, two defenders, two midfielders and two forwards.
"I am excited about this group and welcome them to NYC and Columbia University," Casper said. "Tobias Esche, Kevin Valdovinos, and Andrew Fishman have worked hard to help identify players that we believe will have an impact here over four years. They have brought in good people, good students and talented players. I believe in each of them and am excited about the opportunity to work with them on a daily basis come August. Roar, Lion, Roar!"
Details on this season's incoming class are below. Fans can access the complete 2026 Columbia men's soccer roster by clicking this link.
Fadel Kone – So. – M -- 6-0 –165 – CC – Silver Spring, Md. / LIU Post / Houston Dynamo Academy
Prior to Columbia: Transfers to Columbia after one year at Long Island University Post … Named to the Northeast Conference (NEC) All-Rookie Team as a freshman … High school years spent playing elite club and academy pathways … Competed with the Bethesda Soccer Club Blue Team as a freshman before moving to Bethesda's MLS NEXT squad as a sophomore … Joined the prestigious Houston Dynamo Academy for his junior and senior seasons (2023-2025) … Highlight of youth career includes competing on the international academy stage at the Generation Adidas Cup.
Personal: Parents are Maribel Iglesias and Daouda Kone … Mother is originally from Honduras and father is from Burkina Faso … Has two sisters, one older and one younger … Intends to major in Computer Science at Columbia College … Hobbies include video games, watching anime, and listening to music.
Kai Zeruhn – Fy. – GK – 6-3 – 180 – CC – Stillwater, Minn. / Spring Lake Park High School / Minnesota United 2
Prior to Columbia: Competed exclusively at the highest tiers of youth club soccer and did not play high school sports … Spent three years developing within the Minnesota United FC Academy system from 2021-2024 … Promoted to Minnesota United 2 (MNUFC2) in the MLS NEXT Pro professional pathway, competing from 2024-2026 … Featured heavily across Minnesota United 2 media platforms for standout performances … Key piece in multiple penalty shootout victories during his club career.
Personal: Parents are Bernie and Evie Zeruhn … Father, Bernie, was a standout collegiate swimmer for the University of Minnesota from 1992 to 1997 … Intends to study Business at Columbia College … Actively volunteers as a youth goalkeeper coach … Hobbies include golfing and soccer coaching.
Joshua Sosa – Fy – F – 6-0 -- 175 – CC – Skokie, Ill. / ASU Prep Casa Grande (AZ) / Barca Academy
Prior to Columbia: Spent four years as a dominant attacking piece for the Barça Residency Academy in Arizona (2022-2026) … Named an MLS NEXT All-Star in 2024 … Ranked by TopDrawerSoccer as a premier national talent and a top-rated forward in the Rocky Mountains and Southwest regions … Tallied an elite 25 goals and 10 assists in 34 matches during the 2023-24 season to guide the U-17 squad to an MLS NEXT Southwest Division title … Extensive international experience with multiple youth national teams … Called up to the Guatemala U-17 National Team in 2022, Guatemala U-20 National Team in 2023 and 2025, and the El Salvador U-20 National Team in 2024 … Earned the Barca Academy Humility Award (2022-23) … Three-time academic honor recipient, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Personal: Originally from Chicago, Illinois … Intends to major in Economics at Columbia College … Spent a developmental season training abroad with the prestigious Santos FC Academy in Brazil … Hobbies include video games, golf, board games, and watching shows and movies.
Ben Milstein – Fy. – M – 5-11 – 170 -- CC – Kirkland, Wash. / Lake Washington High School / Crossfire Premier
Prior to Columbia: Played club soccer for the Pacific Northwest powerhouse Crossfire Premier from 2015-2026 … Guided Crossfire Premier to an ECNL National Championship alongside his childhood teammates … Named the ECNL U-15 Northwest Conference Player of the Year … Selected as an ECNL U-15 All-American … Earned ECNL All-Northwest Conference First Team honors at the U-16 level and Second Team honors at the U-17 level … Played high school varsity soccer for the Lake Washington Kangs during his junior and senior years … National Honors Society member.
Personal: Parents are Jonathan Milstein and Deborah Feldman … Mother was a competitive collegiate rower, serving as a coxswain for the Men's Heavyweight Eight crew team at Tufts University … Highly active in community service, spending the past six years growing and selling dahlias to raise over $6,000 for Rainier Athletes, a non-profit helping underserved youth access sports and academic mentorship … Hobbies include hiking, gardening, and sauna/cold plunges.
Neil Riener – Fy. – D – 6-3 – 175 – CC – Somerset, N.Y. / The Pingry School / Players Development Academy
Prior to Columbia: Four-year varsity standout at the historic Pingry School in Basking Ridge, N.J. … Named a Regional All-American and the Skyland Conference Player of the Year … Earned First Team All-State, First Team Non-Public, and Somerset County Player of the Year honors … Named Somerset County Tournament MVP after scoring four goals in the championship final to capture the trophy … Honored as the Pingry Somerset County Scholar-Athlete of the Year … Amassed 28 goals and 26 assists over his high school career, including a 21-goal, 10-assist senior campaign … Played club soccer for PDA (Players Development Academy) from 2022-2026 … AP Scholar with Distinction and winner of the Pingry Advanced Language Prize in German.
Personal: Parents are Eric Riener and Aparna Murthy … Took a gap year prior to arriving at Columbia to play high-level soccer, coach a middle school team, and intern at a corporate law firm … Intends to major in Economics at Columbia College … Hobbies include golf, skiing, biking, and tennis.
Cesar Miranda – Fy. – D – 6-2 – 185 – CC – Brockton, Mass. / Noble and Greenough / IFA New England
Prior to Columbia: Four-year varsity cornerstone for the Noble and Greenough Bulldogs … Named the Independent School League (ISL) Defensive MVP after leading Nobles to an undefeated (14-0-1) league title for the first time in 15 years … Nominated for the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year … Named a Sports Illustrated Third Team All-American … Earned All-NEPSAC Class A First Team, All-ISL First Team, All-State, and All-Region honors … Boston Globe All-Scholastic and NEPSAC Senior All-Star selection … Led Nobles to the NEPSAC Class B Final as a sophomore and the Class A Final as a senior … Ranked No. 16 overall in New England's Class of 2026 by the New England Soccer Journal … Played club soccer for IFA New England (2021-2026), reaching the MLS NEXT Cup Round of 16 (U-16) and Top 4 (U-17) … Competed internationally at the 2024 SuperCup NI in Northern Ireland, defeating Manchester United 2-1 in the group stage to reach the Premier Bracket semifinals … Six-time academic high distinction recipient.
Personal: Parents are Cesar and Evelyn Miranda … Father played football at UMass Dartmouth (1992-1996) and played semi-professionally for the Brockton Buccaneers and Middleborough Cobras … Father is originally from the Cape Verde Islands and mother was born in the Bronx to Dominican Republic immigrants … Has two sisters who play soccer and an older brother … Founded two youth sports businesses: JMC Highlight Hub (creating recruitment videos) and 508 Training (coaching local youth players) … Raised over $1,000 for cancer research via the A Shot For Life charity match, and volunteered at the Dedham Food Pantry and Hebrew Life Center … Hobbies include listening to music and investing.
Ethan Heyward – Fy. – F -- 5-11 – 160 – CC – Wynnewood, Pa. / The Shipley School / Sporting Athletic Club
Prior to Columbia: Four-year varsity standout at The Shipley School, leading the Gators to a Friends League Championship … Earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Southeastern PA, First Team All-Friends League, and First Team All-Main Line honors … Named Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (Nov. 2024) … Played club soccer for FC Delco (2022-23) and Sporting Athletic Club (2023-2026) … Led Sporting AC in assists from 2023-2025 and finished as the club's top goalscorer for the 2025-2026 season … Competed globally on the youth stage at the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden … Completed high school as a Math Counts Community Coaching Scholarship Finalist, a Magna Cum Laude National Latin Exam recipient, a Maguire Scholar, and captured the Philadelphia Classical Honors Society Summa Cum Laude "Best in Show" award.
Personal: Parents are Nicole and Kwame Heyward … Intends to major in Financial Economics at Columbia College … Hobbies include playing chess, listening to music, basketball, and spikeball.
George Webb – Fy. – GK -- 6-4 – 180 – CC – Hong Kong / Melbourne Grammar School / Melbourne Victory
Prior to Columbia: Competed for Melbourne Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia, serving as the first team soccer captain and first team futsal captain during his senior year … Named Best and Fairest for soccer and Coaches Player of the Year for futsal as a senior … Three-time All-State representative selection team of the season in the APS School competition … Played club soccer for the Port Melbourne Sharks across their U-16, U-18, U-21, and U-23 squads, making his debut in the National Premier Leagues (NPL) at just 17 years old in August 2024 … Helped secure the NPL U-21 Championship in 2023 … Competed for the Hong Kong Football Club First Team in 2025 before joining the prestigious Melbourne Victory system for the 2025-26 Senior NPL and A-League cycles … Academically, achieved a top 1% SAT score worldwide and was a multi-time VCE Honour Roll recipient.
Personal: Parents are Vanessa and Richard Webb … Born in Hong Kong … Father, Richard, played college cricket and Australian rules football at the University of Melbourne, where he captained the football team and was a member of the professional AFL club Essendon from 1989-1990 … Intends to major in Economics & Mathematics at Columbia College … Actively served as a peer reading buddy for The Smith Family … Hobbies include playing cricket and tennis, watching professional sports, and traveling.
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FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsMSOC), on Facebook (ColumbiaMensSoccer), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.
"I am excited about this group and welcome them to NYC and Columbia University," Casper said. "Tobias Esche, Kevin Valdovinos, and Andrew Fishman have worked hard to help identify players that we believe will have an impact here over four years. They have brought in good people, good students and talented players. I believe in each of them and am excited about the opportunity to work with them on a daily basis come August. Roar, Lion, Roar!"
Details on this season's incoming class are below. Fans can access the complete 2026 Columbia men's soccer roster by clicking this link.
Fadel Kone – So. – M -- 6-0 –165 – CC – Silver Spring, Md. / LIU Post / Houston Dynamo Academy
Prior to Columbia: Transfers to Columbia after one year at Long Island University Post … Named to the Northeast Conference (NEC) All-Rookie Team as a freshman … High school years spent playing elite club and academy pathways … Competed with the Bethesda Soccer Club Blue Team as a freshman before moving to Bethesda's MLS NEXT squad as a sophomore … Joined the prestigious Houston Dynamo Academy for his junior and senior seasons (2023-2025) … Highlight of youth career includes competing on the international academy stage at the Generation Adidas Cup.
Personal: Parents are Maribel Iglesias and Daouda Kone … Mother is originally from Honduras and father is from Burkina Faso … Has two sisters, one older and one younger … Intends to major in Computer Science at Columbia College … Hobbies include video games, watching anime, and listening to music.
Kai Zeruhn – Fy. – GK – 6-3 – 180 – CC – Stillwater, Minn. / Spring Lake Park High School / Minnesota United 2
Prior to Columbia: Competed exclusively at the highest tiers of youth club soccer and did not play high school sports … Spent three years developing within the Minnesota United FC Academy system from 2021-2024 … Promoted to Minnesota United 2 (MNUFC2) in the MLS NEXT Pro professional pathway, competing from 2024-2026 … Featured heavily across Minnesota United 2 media platforms for standout performances … Key piece in multiple penalty shootout victories during his club career.
Personal: Parents are Bernie and Evie Zeruhn … Father, Bernie, was a standout collegiate swimmer for the University of Minnesota from 1992 to 1997 … Intends to study Business at Columbia College … Actively volunteers as a youth goalkeeper coach … Hobbies include golfing and soccer coaching.
Joshua Sosa – Fy – F – 6-0 -- 175 – CC – Skokie, Ill. / ASU Prep Casa Grande (AZ) / Barca Academy
Prior to Columbia: Spent four years as a dominant attacking piece for the Barça Residency Academy in Arizona (2022-2026) … Named an MLS NEXT All-Star in 2024 … Ranked by TopDrawerSoccer as a premier national talent and a top-rated forward in the Rocky Mountains and Southwest regions … Tallied an elite 25 goals and 10 assists in 34 matches during the 2023-24 season to guide the U-17 squad to an MLS NEXT Southwest Division title … Extensive international experience with multiple youth national teams … Called up to the Guatemala U-17 National Team in 2022, Guatemala U-20 National Team in 2023 and 2025, and the El Salvador U-20 National Team in 2024 … Earned the Barca Academy Humility Award (2022-23) … Three-time academic honor recipient, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Personal: Originally from Chicago, Illinois … Intends to major in Economics at Columbia College … Spent a developmental season training abroad with the prestigious Santos FC Academy in Brazil … Hobbies include video games, golf, board games, and watching shows and movies.
Ben Milstein – Fy. – M – 5-11 – 170 -- CC – Kirkland, Wash. / Lake Washington High School / Crossfire Premier
Prior to Columbia: Played club soccer for the Pacific Northwest powerhouse Crossfire Premier from 2015-2026 … Guided Crossfire Premier to an ECNL National Championship alongside his childhood teammates … Named the ECNL U-15 Northwest Conference Player of the Year … Selected as an ECNL U-15 All-American … Earned ECNL All-Northwest Conference First Team honors at the U-16 level and Second Team honors at the U-17 level … Played high school varsity soccer for the Lake Washington Kangs during his junior and senior years … National Honors Society member.
Personal: Parents are Jonathan Milstein and Deborah Feldman … Mother was a competitive collegiate rower, serving as a coxswain for the Men's Heavyweight Eight crew team at Tufts University … Highly active in community service, spending the past six years growing and selling dahlias to raise over $6,000 for Rainier Athletes, a non-profit helping underserved youth access sports and academic mentorship … Hobbies include hiking, gardening, and sauna/cold plunges.
Neil Riener – Fy. – D – 6-3 – 175 – CC – Somerset, N.Y. / The Pingry School / Players Development Academy
Prior to Columbia: Four-year varsity standout at the historic Pingry School in Basking Ridge, N.J. … Named a Regional All-American and the Skyland Conference Player of the Year … Earned First Team All-State, First Team Non-Public, and Somerset County Player of the Year honors … Named Somerset County Tournament MVP after scoring four goals in the championship final to capture the trophy … Honored as the Pingry Somerset County Scholar-Athlete of the Year … Amassed 28 goals and 26 assists over his high school career, including a 21-goal, 10-assist senior campaign … Played club soccer for PDA (Players Development Academy) from 2022-2026 … AP Scholar with Distinction and winner of the Pingry Advanced Language Prize in German.
Personal: Parents are Eric Riener and Aparna Murthy … Took a gap year prior to arriving at Columbia to play high-level soccer, coach a middle school team, and intern at a corporate law firm … Intends to major in Economics at Columbia College … Hobbies include golf, skiing, biking, and tennis.
Cesar Miranda – Fy. – D – 6-2 – 185 – CC – Brockton, Mass. / Noble and Greenough / IFA New England
Prior to Columbia: Four-year varsity cornerstone for the Noble and Greenough Bulldogs … Named the Independent School League (ISL) Defensive MVP after leading Nobles to an undefeated (14-0-1) league title for the first time in 15 years … Nominated for the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year … Named a Sports Illustrated Third Team All-American … Earned All-NEPSAC Class A First Team, All-ISL First Team, All-State, and All-Region honors … Boston Globe All-Scholastic and NEPSAC Senior All-Star selection … Led Nobles to the NEPSAC Class B Final as a sophomore and the Class A Final as a senior … Ranked No. 16 overall in New England's Class of 2026 by the New England Soccer Journal … Played club soccer for IFA New England (2021-2026), reaching the MLS NEXT Cup Round of 16 (U-16) and Top 4 (U-17) … Competed internationally at the 2024 SuperCup NI in Northern Ireland, defeating Manchester United 2-1 in the group stage to reach the Premier Bracket semifinals … Six-time academic high distinction recipient.
Personal: Parents are Cesar and Evelyn Miranda … Father played football at UMass Dartmouth (1992-1996) and played semi-professionally for the Brockton Buccaneers and Middleborough Cobras … Father is originally from the Cape Verde Islands and mother was born in the Bronx to Dominican Republic immigrants … Has two sisters who play soccer and an older brother … Founded two youth sports businesses: JMC Highlight Hub (creating recruitment videos) and 508 Training (coaching local youth players) … Raised over $1,000 for cancer research via the A Shot For Life charity match, and volunteered at the Dedham Food Pantry and Hebrew Life Center … Hobbies include listening to music and investing.
Ethan Heyward – Fy. – F -- 5-11 – 160 – CC – Wynnewood, Pa. / The Shipley School / Sporting Athletic Club
Prior to Columbia: Four-year varsity standout at The Shipley School, leading the Gators to a Friends League Championship … Earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Southeastern PA, First Team All-Friends League, and First Team All-Main Line honors … Named Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (Nov. 2024) … Played club soccer for FC Delco (2022-23) and Sporting Athletic Club (2023-2026) … Led Sporting AC in assists from 2023-2025 and finished as the club's top goalscorer for the 2025-2026 season … Competed globally on the youth stage at the prestigious Gothia Cup in Sweden … Completed high school as a Math Counts Community Coaching Scholarship Finalist, a Magna Cum Laude National Latin Exam recipient, a Maguire Scholar, and captured the Philadelphia Classical Honors Society Summa Cum Laude "Best in Show" award.
Personal: Parents are Nicole and Kwame Heyward … Intends to major in Financial Economics at Columbia College … Hobbies include playing chess, listening to music, basketball, and spikeball.
George Webb – Fy. – GK -- 6-4 – 180 – CC – Hong Kong / Melbourne Grammar School / Melbourne Victory
Prior to Columbia: Competed for Melbourne Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia, serving as the first team soccer captain and first team futsal captain during his senior year … Named Best and Fairest for soccer and Coaches Player of the Year for futsal as a senior … Three-time All-State representative selection team of the season in the APS School competition … Played club soccer for the Port Melbourne Sharks across their U-16, U-18, U-21, and U-23 squads, making his debut in the National Premier Leagues (NPL) at just 17 years old in August 2024 … Helped secure the NPL U-21 Championship in 2023 … Competed for the Hong Kong Football Club First Team in 2025 before joining the prestigious Melbourne Victory system for the 2025-26 Senior NPL and A-League cycles … Academically, achieved a top 1% SAT score worldwide and was a multi-time VCE Honour Roll recipient.
Personal: Parents are Vanessa and Richard Webb … Born in Hong Kong … Father, Richard, played college cricket and Australian rules football at the University of Melbourne, where he captained the football team and was a member of the professional AFL club Essendon from 1989-1990 … Intends to major in Economics & Mathematics at Columbia College … Actively served as a peer reading buddy for The Smith Family … Hobbies include playing cricket and tennis, watching professional sports, and traveling.
--
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsMSOC), on Facebook (ColumbiaMensSoccer), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.
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