Loaded Rosters Set the Stage for 2026 GSF Stand Up and Support All-Star Soccer Game
As anticipation builds for the 2026 GSF Stand Up and Support: Anti-Bullying and Suicide Prevention Senior All-Star Soccer Game, one thing is clear—the rosters are absolutely loaded with talent.
“This all-star opportunity is meant to help boost the athletes’ college recruiting.”
— Alf Joaquin
Taking place on April 5, 2026 (Easter Sunday) at Oak Grove High School (San Jose, CA), this year’s matchup between Team 5-Star and Team HEROES features some of the most accomplished high school players from across the Greater Bay Area.
Elite Talent Across the Board
This year’s All-Star rosters represent the very best of high school soccer. The group includes:
- League MVPs
- All-League selections
- Team captains
- Players from league, CCS, NorCal, and regional championship teams
Even more impressive, the group maintains an outstanding 3.88 average GPA, with a strict 3.0 GPA minimum requirement, reinforcing excellence both on and off the field.
High Achievers to Watch
- Avery Montejano (Christopher HS) – League MVP, 4-year starter, 3-year captain, multiple college offers.
- Miguel Camacho Jr (Santa Clara HS) – Varsity MVP, First Team All-League, U16 US Futsal National Team selection.
- Diego Andrade Benitez (Abraham Lincoln HS) – top performer in points and assists.
- Cruz Velazquez (Piedmont Hills HS) – Multi-year All-League defensive leader.
- Charlie Hudson (Sequoia HS) – Top scorer and All-League performer.
- Jason Lauriano (Yerba Buena HS) – League champion and top goal scorer.
- Raul Ramos (Christopher HS) – 18 goals and 8 assists this season.
- Patrick McGuirk (Mountain View HS) – NorCal Champion, CCS Champion, Defensive Player of the Year.
- Mateo Alvarez (Gunderson HS) – MLS Next player with elite-level experience.
- Dylan Hightower (Santa Teresa HS) – ECNL standout with multiple championships.
- Damian Amador (Watsonville) – MLS Next and ECNL experience.
This is just a glimpse—nearly every athlete selected has excelled at both the high school and club levels.
Leadership on the Sidelines
Manny Borrayo – Team 5-Star Head Coach
With over 25 years of experience, Coach Borrayo has built a reputation as a mentor and developer of talent across high school, college, and club levels. His leadership emphasizes growth, discipline, and mental health awareness.
Armando Padilla – Team HEROES Head Coach
A pillar in the Gilroy community, Coach Padilla has spent over 25 years coaching and teaching at Gilroy High School. He brings passion, experience, and a deep commitment to supporting student-athletes both on and off the field.
A Platform for the Next Level
Beyond the competition, this All-Star game serves as a major opportunity for athletes to gain exposure and continue their careers at the next level.
“I want to see all of these players get the opportunity to play at the next level. If any college coach wants to get their information, I am two clicks away in forwarding an athlete’s direct contact info.”
— Alf Joaquin
More Than Just Talent
While the level of play will be elite, what truly sets this event apart is its mission.
The GSF All-Star Soccer Game is dedicated to raising awareness for anti-bullying and suicide prevention, using soccer to bring communities together and create meaningful impact.
This is more than a showcase—it’s a gateway to the next level, a platform for exposure, and a celebration of the game and community.
2026 GSF All-Star Athletes
| All-Star Team | Number | Name | High School | Position | Ht/Wt | Bio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Star | 00 | Yair Arias | Hollister | GK | — | Anchor in goal for Hollister, bringing composure, shot-stopping ability, and leadership from the backline. |
| 5-Star | 3 | Dylan Hightower | Santa Teresa | LW / RW / LOB / LCB / ROB / RCB | 5’10 / 150 | Los Gatos United ECNL player, tournament champion, ODP Northern California State Team, BVAL 2nd Team and 1st Team All-League honors, captain. |
| 5-Star | 4 | Travis Tran | Piedmont Hills | LCB / RCB | 5’7 / 145 | Co-Senior of the Year (Santa Teresa-North League) and First Team All-League selection. |
| 5-Star | 6 | Miguel Camacho Jr | Santa Clara | DCM / CM / RCB | 5’10 / 165 | Santa Clara Varsity Soccer MVP, SCVAL First Team All-League, Winter Tournament MVP, Championship Game Player of the Match, 2024 U16 US Futsal National Team selection. |
| 5-Star | 7 | Angel Avalos | Piedmont Hills | ACM / CM | 5’8 / 155 | Dynamic midfielder with strong playmaking ability and leadership in the midfield. |
| 5-Star | 8 | Brayan Ortega | Yerba Buena | LW / CM | 5’4 / 135 | Versatile winger and midfielder with strong work rate and attacking instincts. |
| 5-Star | 9 | Michael Scavotto | Saint Francis | CF | 5’8 / 155 | Two-time WCAL First Team selection with CCS and CIF Division I finals experience and MLS Next background. |
| 5-Star | 10 | Diego Hernandez | Hollister | DCM / CM | 5’11 / 170 | First Team All-League, Second Team All-League, sportsmanship award, and CCS champion. |
| 5-Star | 11 | Patrick McGuirk | Mountain View High School | LCB / RCB | 6’0 / 150 | 2025 NORCAL D2 Champion, 2025 SCVAL Defensive Player of the Year, and 2026 CCS D1 Champion. |
| 5-Star | 12 | Enrique Esparza | Independence | CM | — | Central midfielder known for work rate, ball control, and ability to connect play across the field. |
| 5-Star | 14 | Rithvik Tharkabhushanam | Santa Teresa | LW / RW / LOB / ROB | 5’8 / 140 | Santa Clara Sporting ECNL player, captain, varsity career of 5 goals and 3 assists, BVAL 2nd Team All-League. |
| 5-Star | 16 | Luis Aguilar | Hollister | ROB / RCB | 5’5 / 161 | Key contributor to a CCS Championship team, bringing toughness and versatility on the defensive line. |
| 5-Star | 17 | Yandel Munoz | San Jose | LCB / RCB | 5’7 | Four-year high school player who plans to continue at Evergreen Valley College; versatile defender who can play all over the field. |
| 5-Star | 19 | Christopher Mendez | Yerba Buena | ACM / DCM / CM | 5’6 / 135 | 5 goals, 3 assists this season, BVAL-West Valley Undefeated League Champion, Freshman of the Year, and MLS NEXT experience. |
| 5-Star | 21 | Aron Plancarte | Cristo Rey | CF | 5’11 / 180 | Physical forward with a strong presence in the attacking third. |
| 5-Star | 27 | Eduardo Bustamante | San Jose | LW / RW / ACM / DCM / CM | 5’7 / 140 | BVAL Freshman of the Year and a versatile playmaker capable of impacting the game from multiple positions. |
| 5-Star | 28 | Thomas Woldu | Abraham Lincoln | CF / ACM / CM | 5’9 / 163 | Versatile attacker capable of creating and finishing scoring opportunities across multiple positions. |
| 5-Star | 30 | Jesus Lopez | Cristo Rey | ACM | 5’10 / 180 | PSAL First Team selection, bringing creativity and attacking presence in the midfield. |
| HEROES | 2 | Ricardo Carias | Latino College Prep | LOB / ROB / RCB | 5’6 / 142 | Versatile defender capable of playing across the back line with strong positioning and awareness. |
| HEROES | 3 | Nathan Lopez Acosta | Santa Clara | LW / RW / LOB | 5’7 / 130 | All-League honorable mention, tournament champion, and key attacking contributor with club travel experience. |
| HEROES | 4 | Anthony Espinoza | Live Oak | LW / RW / LCB / ROB / RCB | 5’7 / 145 | 2nd Team All-League, senior captain, and dependable two-way player with strong leadership. |
| HEROES | 5 | Damian Avila | San Jose | ACM / DCM / CM | 5’11 / 176 | Midfield leader who helped elevate his team’s level of play and contribute offensively. |
| HEROES | 6 | Giovanni Lopez | San Jose | DCM / CM | 5’8 / 140 | Four-year varsity captain known for consistency, leadership, and control in the midfield. |
| HEROES | 7 | Raul Ramos | Christopher | ACM | 5’11 / 142 | Explosive attacking midfielder with 18 goals and 8 assists this season. |
| HEROES | 8 | Alwin Ruiz | Santa Teresa | ACM / DCM | 5’7 / 130 | Versatile midfielder with strong technical ability and two-way impact. |
| HEROES | 9 | Charlie Hudson | Sequoia | CF / LW / ROB | 5’11 / 160 | Top scorer and All-League performer with offensive versatility and finishing ability. |
| HEROES | 11 | Jason Lauriano | Yerba Buena | CF / LW / RW | 5’8 / 140 | Top goal scorer and league champion, dangerous in the attacking third. |
| HEROES | 12 | Noah McIntosh | Saint Francis | CF / LW / RW | 5’8 | Dynamic forward with the ability to stretch defenses and create scoring chances. |
| HEROES | 13 | Cole Imrey | Sacred Heart Cathedral | ACM / DCM / LCB / RCB | 6’0 / 150 | Three-year captain with MLS Next experience, known for leadership and versatility. |
| HEROES | 14 | Diego Andrade Benitez | Abraham Lincoln | LW / RW / ACM | 5’11 / 150 | PSAL Champion, Top 10 in league points, Top 5 in assists, and a captain with strong playmaking ability. |
| HEROES | 15 | Mateo Alvarez | Gunderson | ACM / ROB / RCB | 5’8 / 160 | MLS Next player with 14 years of experience and Sophomore of the Year honors. |
| HEROES | 16 | Avery Montejano | Christopher | CF | 5’10 / 160 | League MVP, 4-year starter, and 3-year captain with multiple college offers. |
| HEROES | 17 | Cruz Velazquez | Piedmont Hills | DCM / LOB / LCB / ROB / RCB | 5’9 / 150 | First Team All-League (sophomore), Second Team (junior), and a strong defensive leader. |
| HEROES | 20 | Guillermo Franco | San Leandro | RW / ROB | 5’7 | Hardworking player with strong determination, leadership, and love for the game. |
| HEROES | 21 | Julian Petty | Piedmont Hills | ROB | 6’2 / 185 | Physical defender with size and presence on the back line. |
| HEROES | 22 | Damian Amador | Watsonville | MF | — | Played MLS Next and currently competes at the ECNL level, adding elite experience to the midfield. |
| HEROES | 77 | Isaac Olivares | Gilroy HS | GK | — | Reliable goalkeeper with strong leadership, communication, and shot-stopping ability. |