BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Western Washington University men's soccer program has announced the addition of three players from iconic Northwest soccer programs to the 2025 recruiting class.

 

WWU head coach Greg Brisbon now has an exciting class of eight new players set to join the Vikings program in the fall, with the latest additions including a pair of players from the Sounders Academy that play in MLS Next and one player from Crossfire Premier Soccer at the ECNL level.

 

The three program additions include midfielder Irving Baca-Silva (Sounders Academy), defender Jack Haegele (Crossfire Premier ECNL) and winger Jose Perez (Sounders Academy).

 

Here is a look WWU's eight new players, with more players expected to join the recruiting class in the coming months.

 

 

Baca-Silva is a center midfielder that has played at the Sounders FC Academy over the last two years. Prior to his time with the Sounders at the MLS Next level, Baca-Silva gained club experience at Southlake 2, Valor FC and Atletico. He is also a first-team all-league performer at Kent Meridian High School where he serves as team captain. With Atletico he was a member of the E64 Best XI and earned the club's Balón de Oro Atletico award in 2024..

 

Baca-Silva on joining the WWU program:

"I chose Western and the men's soccer program because of the welcoming people and team atmosphere."

 

Haegele is a 6-3 defender that has grown up in one of the premier club programs in the nation with Crossfire Premier. Haegele is a product of the Crossfire Premier ECNL program that won the national championship in 2021. He has also been a three-year team captain and all-league performer for Redmond High School, helping lead the Mustangs to the state tournament in 2024 as a junior. His Xfire team will play in the ECNL national playoffs this summer with the prestigious tournament played in his hometown at 60 Acres.

 

Haegele on joining the WWU program:

"I've always wanted to play soccer for a competitive program close to home in the Northwest. WWU is a perfect fit with the coaches who can help me develop on and off the field. It's a program with a talented roster that has a lot of potential. I am beyond excited and grateful for this opportunity."

 

Perez is a 5-9 player that specializes on the left and right wing that currently plays on Seattle Sounders Academy team. He previously had club experience with Sozo FC (Yakima), Eastside FC (Preston) and Washington Premier (Puyallup). Prior to attending the Sounders Academy full time, he starred for Highland High School where he was a SCAC West Boys All-League selection in 2023.

 

Perez on joining the WWU program:

"I chose the WWU men's soccer program because it is the perfect place for me to grow both as a player and person. The teams has a strong work ethic, winning mentality and commitment matches my own values. I am excited to contribute, push my limits and be part of something special."

 

The Vikings completed the 2024 season with a 10-5-3 overall record, winning eight of their final nine games to finish in second place in the GNAC table with an 8-3-1 conference record. WWU was in contention for an NCAA selection and the conference title until the final two weeks of the season. Head coach Greg Brisbon led the Vikings to the fifth double-digit win total in the last eight seasons and had 11 players earn GNAC All-Academic honors.