Men's Soccer Inks Four Student-Athletes
1/11/2021 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Class includes Jony Muñoz, 2020 Gatorade National Player of the Year
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Men's Soccer has officially announced the signing of four new student-athletes, including two local prospects. Jony Munoz and Alexander Glynn will be eligible to participate in the upcoming season, while Christian Koffi and Kotaro Hirokawa will join the Roos in the upcoming fall.
"First, I would like to thank Rafa (Martinez) and Filippo (Errico) for their efforts in helping put this recruiting class together," Head Coach Ryan Pore said. "We are extremely excited to add these players to our Roo family. They bring a combination of maturity and youth that will fit seamlessly into our culture here in Kansas City."
Alexander Glynn | Defender | Overland Park, Kan.
Playing Career: Graduated from Blue Valley Southwest High School, where he was coached by Erik Jones … Spent last season at Iowa Western Community College where he played in six games … Played for Sporting KC Academy, coached by Rumbani Munthali … Played for Toca FC, coached by Trent Remmich and Matt Trumpp
Personal: Born May 12, 2001 … Parents Janos and Kelli Glynn … Has two siblings, older brother Zachary and younger sister Hannah … Plans to major in History
Why Kansas City?: "I chose to come to Kansas City because I wanted to stay close to home and I wanted to help establish the Roos as a powerhouse of the Midwest by winning championships."
Coach Pore on Glynn: "Zander is a local player that we've tracked from his time playing for Mike Brown at Iowa Western. He's an athletic defender with toughness and grit that grew up in the SKC Academy system as well. He's two footed and demonstrates great leadership skills. Another player excited to represent Kansas City and will begin with us in the spring."
Kotaro Hirokawa | Yokohama, Japan | Defender
Playing Career: Played at Marshalltown Community College in 2019-20 … Started in 17-of-20 games as a freshman for the Tigers … Scored two goals and picked up six assists in freshman year … Placed 69-percent of his shot attempts on frame … Played for Mitsubishi Yowa youth club
Personal: Born June 7, 2000 … Parents Youichi and Mariko Hirokawa … Plans to major in Business
Why Kansas City?: "I chose Kansas City because I felt that the environment of people, study and facilities were wonderful and it felt like a place that I could grow."
Coach Pore on Hirokawa: "Kota is a technical left-sided player that we believe has all of the characteristics to be an impact player for our program. We love his competitiveness and mentality to improve every day. He is dangerous on set piece situations and his overall service is very good. We expect Kota to continue to push our group forward with his work rate and exceptional character. He's a great fit here in Kansas City."
Christian Koffi | Caen, France | Forward
Playing Career: Spent 2019-20 season at Iowa Central Community College … In freshman season with the Tritons, earned NJCAA Second Team All-American honors … Named to First Team All-Region … Scored 17 goals in freshman year, which ranked 14th in the nation … Added three assists for the Tritons … Played for Stade Malherbe Caen's academy team
Personal: Born Nov. 8, 1999 in Côte d'Ivoire … Grew up in France … Plans to major in Business
Why Kansas City?: "I made this choice because the coaches and the support that was offered to me are perfect for the goals that I have set for myself in the future. When I was approached by Coach Rafa and Coach Ryan, my choice was quickly made, because their values are totally in line with what I was looking for. They are very competent and presented UMKC to me from different angles, which impressed me even more."
Coach Pore on Koffi: "Christian is a player that we've known about and have built a relationship with during his time playing for Pablo Rodriguez at Iowa Central. He was an All-American striker as a freshman that is very dynamic and has a history of scoring goals against good competition. We like his ability to play in combination but also to get behind the defense with his movement and verticality. We believe Christian will transition very quickly to life in Kansas City and make an immediate impact."
Jony Muñoz | Olathe, Kan. | Forward
Playing Career: Graduated from Olathe West High School, where he was coached by Matt Trumpp … Played for Sporting KC Academy from 2015-18 … Played for Toca FC from 2018-20, coached by Trent Rimmich and Matt Trumpp … Led Olathe West to KSHSAA 6A State Championship as a senior, in program's third year … As a senior, recorded 36 goals and 19 assists, including four points in State Championship victory … In 2020, was named the Gatorade Boys' Soccer Player of the Year, the first Kansan to win the award … Participated on U.S. Soccer Under-16 Men's National Team … Earned MVP honors in High School All-American Game … Two-time Sunflower League Player of the Year … Named Allstate All-American in 2019
Personal: Born Nov. 8, 2001 … Parents Manuel and Nora Muñoz … Older brother Christian Muñoz … Plans to major in Business
Why Kansas City?: "I believe God has a plan for me and He has made it clear He wants me here. I'm excited to represent my city!"
Coach Pore on Muñoz: "Jony was the Gatorade National Player of the Year, former Sporting KC Academy player and played under Matt Trumpp at Olathe West HS, and will begin with us in the spring. He's an exceptional attacking player that is clinical in front of goal and also has the ability to play the final pass. He's a team-first player and is really bought into our culture and vision of the program. I know he's extremely excited to play for Kansas City and continues our trend to get the best local talent."
