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-Star00Yair AriasHollisterGKAnchor in goal for Hollister, bringing composure, shot-stopping ability, and leadership from the backline.
5-Star3Dylan HightowerSanta TeresaLW / RW / LOB / LCB / ROB / RCB5’10 / 150Los Gatos United ECNL player, tournament champion, ODP Northern California State Team, BVAL 2nd Team and 1st Team All-League honors, captain.
5-Star4Travis TranPiedmont HillsLCB / RCB5’7 / 145Co-Senior of the Year (Santa Teresa-North League) and First Team All-League selection.
5-Star6Miguel Camacho JrSanta ClaraDCM / CM / RCB5’10 / 165Santa 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-Star7Angel AvalosPiedmont HillsACM / CM5’8 / 155Dynamic midfielder with strong playmaking ability and leadership in the midfield.
5-Star8Brayan OrtegaYerba BuenaLW / CM5’4 / 135Versatile winger and midfielder with strong work rate and attacking instincts.
5-Star9Michael ScavottoSaint FrancisCF5’8 / 155Two-time WCAL First Team selection with CCS and CIF Division I finals experience and MLS Next background.
5-Star10Diego HernandezHollisterDCM / CM5’11 / 170First Team All-League, Second Team All-League, sportsmanship award, and CCS champion.
5-Star11Patrick McGuirkMountain View High SchoolLCB / RCB6’0 / 1502025 NORCAL D2 Champion, 2025 SCVAL Defensive Player of the Year, and 2026 CCS D1 Champion.
5-Star12Enrique EsparzaIndependenceCMCentral midfielder known for work rate, ball control, and ability to connect play across the field.
5-Star14Rithvik TharkabhushanamSanta TeresaLW / RW / LOB / ROB5’8 / 140Santa Clara Sporting ECNL player, captain, varsity career of 5 goals and 3 assists, BVAL 2nd Team All-League.
5-Star16Luis AguilarHollisterROB / RCB5’5 / 161Key contributor to a CCS Championship team, bringing toughness and versatility on the defensive line.
5-Star17Yandel MunozSan JoseLCB / RCB5’7Four-year high school player who plans to continue at Evergreen Valley College; versatile defender who can play all over the field.
5-Star19Christopher MendezYerba BuenaACM / DCM / CM5’6 / 1355 goals, 3 assists this season, BVAL-West Valley Undefeated League Champion, Freshman of the Year, and MLS NEXT experience.
5-Star21Aron PlancarteCristo ReyCF5’11 / 180Physical forward with a strong presence in the attacking third.
5-Star27Eduardo BustamanteSan JoseLW / RW / ACM / DCM / CM5’7 / 140BVAL Freshman of the Year and a versatile playmaker capable of impacting the game from multiple positions.
5-Star28Thomas WolduAbraham LincolnCF / ACM / CM5’9 / 163Versatile attacker capable of creating and finishing scoring opportunities across multiple positions.
5-Star30Jesus LopezCristo ReyACM5’10 / 180PSAL First Team selection, bringing creativity and attacking presence in the midfield.
HEROES2Ricardo CariasLatino College PrepLOB / ROB / RCB5’6 / 142Versatile defender capable of playing across the back line with strong positioning and awareness.
HEROES3Nathan Lopez AcostaSanta ClaraLW / RW / LOB5’7 / 130All-League honorable mention, tournament champion, and key attacking contributor with club travel experience.
HEROES4Anthony EspinozaLive OakLW / RW / LCB / ROB / RCB5’7 / 1452nd Team All-League, senior captain, and dependable two-way player with strong leadership.
HEROES5Damian AvilaSan JoseACM / DCM / CM5’11 / 176Midfield leader who helped elevate his team’s level of play and contribute offensively.
HEROES6Giovanni LopezSan JoseDCM / CM5’8 / 140Four-year varsity captain known for consistency, leadership, and control in the midfield.
HEROES7Raul RamosChristopherACM5’11 / 142Explosive attacking midfielder with 18 goals and 8 assists this season.
HEROES8Alwin RuizSanta TeresaACM / DCM5’7 / 130Versatile midfielder with strong technical ability and two-way impact.
HEROES9Charlie HudsonSequoiaCF / LW / ROB5’11 / 160Top scorer and All-League performer with offensive versatility and finishing ability.
HEROES11Jason LaurianoYerba BuenaCF / LW / RW5’8 / 140Top goal scorer and league champion, dangerous in the attacking third.
HEROES12Noah McIntoshSaint FrancisCF / LW / RW5’8Dynamic forward with the ability to stretch defenses and create scoring chances.
HEROES13Cole ImreySacred Heart CathedralACM / DCM / LCB / RCB6’0 / 150Three-year captain with MLS Next experience, known for leadership and versatility.
HEROES14Diego Andrade BenitezAbraham LincolnLW / RW / ACM5’11 / 150PSAL Champion, Top 10 in league points, Top 5 in assists, and a captain with strong playmaking ability.
HEROES15Mateo AlvarezGundersonACM / ROB / RCB5’8 / 160MLS Next player with 14 years of experience and Sophomore of the Year honors.
HEROES16Avery MontejanoChristopherCF5’10 / 160League MVP, 4-year starter, and 3-year captain with multiple college offers.
HEROES17Cruz VelazquezPiedmont HillsDCM / LOB / LCB / ROB / RCB5’9 / 150First Team All-League (sophomore), Second Team (junior), and a strong defensive leader.
HEROES20Guillermo FrancoSan LeandroRW / ROB5’7Hardworking player with strong determination, leadership, and love for the game.
HEROES21Julian PettyPiedmont HillsROB6’2 / 185Physical defender with size and presence on the back line.
HEROES22Damian AmadorWatsonvilleMFPlayed MLS Next and currently competes at the ECNL level, adding elite experience to the midfield.
HEROES77Isaac OlivaresGilroy HSGKReliable goalkeeper with strong leadership, communication, and shot-stopping ability.