CONTRIBUTORS TO KICKOFF
The contributors to Kickoff include professional players, coaches, performance specialists, and trusted experts who have either been interviewed for the platform or have reviewed our material for accuracy and clarity. Their involvement adds perspective, accountability, and practical insight to the information we share.
By learning directly from individuals who compete and work in professional and collegiate environments, our members gain access to first-hand knowledge rooted in lived experience. Their input strengthens our commitment to delivering credible, experience-backed education that supports youth players both on and off the field.
PLAYER CONTRIBUTORS
Tucker Lepley
Position: Midfielder
Professional: LA Galaxy (MLS)
Tucker Lepley is a midfielder for the LA Galaxy who built one of the most accomplished careers in recent UCLA history. In 2023, he earned Third Team All-American honors from United Soccer Coaches, TopDrawerSoccer, and College Soccer News, was named First Team All-Pac-12 and All-Far West Region First Team, and was selected as UCLA’s Team MVP. A three-time Team MVP, he also earned All-Far West Region honors in 2021 and was recognized nationally as a freshman with College Soccer News All-Freshman First Team and TopDrawerSoccer Freshman Best XI First Team honors.
Across his college career at UCLA, he recorded 46 appearances, 12 goals, and 10 assists, before transitioning to the MLS where he has made more than 40 professional appearances.
Nico Cavallo
Position: Left Back
Professional: NYCFC (MLS)
Nico Cavallo began his collegiate career at Davidson College where he was selected as a team captain and, in his senior year, played in every match. After completing his undergraduate career, he transferred to UCLA for his graduate season, where he started all 19 matches and earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Following his season at UCLA, Nico was selected in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft by NYCFC.
In college Nico recorded 75 total appearances, 2 goals, and 10 assists before beginning his professional career where he has made double digit MLS appearances.
Nico Benalcazar
Position: Defender
Professional: Orange County SC (USL Championship), FC Cincinnati (MLS), NYCFC (MLS)
Nico Benalcazar competed at Wake Forest after developing in the NYCFC academy and with the U.S. U16 and U18 National Teams. At Wake, he earned 2020 All-ACC Second Team, 2021 All-ACC Third Team, two All-ACC Academic Team selections, United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-South Region honors, and TopDrawerSoccer Best XI Second Team recognition. After signing a Homegrown contract with NYCFC and later spending time with FC Cincinnati, he earned Newcomer of the Year, Defender of the Year, and Player of the Year honors in 2025 with Orange County SC.
Across his college career at Wake Forest, he recorded 54 appearances, 4 goals, and 3 assists, and has since made over 100 professional appearances.
John Klein
Position: Winger
Professional: Monterey Bay FC (USL Championship), Charleston Battery (USL Championship), St. Louis City (MLS)
John Klein earned A-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022 at Saint Louis University along with First-Team All-Conference and All-Region recognition, finishing his career with 85 points (29 goals, 27 assists), ranking 16th in school history in points and tied for 9th in assists. In 2021, he again earned First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-Region honors while leading the NCAA in total assists and assists per game. He was also Second-Team All-Conference in 2020 and A-10 Freshman of the Year in 2018.
Post-college John was selected in the MLS SuperDraft by St. Louis City, and has since made over 90 professional appearances with double digit goals and assists.
Nate Crockford
Position: Goalkeeper
Professional: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), FC Cincinnati (MLS), DC United (MLS)
Nate Crockford began his collegiate career at UCLA, where he appeared in NCAA Tournament matches as a true freshman and earned 2022 Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore. He then transferred to Wisconsin, where in 2023 he played every minute in goal, recorded seven shutouts to lead the Big Ten in shutouts per game, and finished with a 1.06 goals-against average and a .705 save percentage. During that season, he was named to the TopDrawerSoccer National Team of the Week and earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Across his collegiate career at UCLA and Wisconsin, he made 40 appearances before being selected in the MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United and has since made double digit professional appearances.
Tommy Silva
Position: Left Back
Professional: Detroit City FC (USL Championship), Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Tommy Silva started every match of his four-year career at UCLA, earning United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region Second Team honors in 2023 and three Pac-12 All-Conference Second Team selections, along with All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition. He was also named a 2023 Preseason All-American, 2022 First Team Academic All-American, and the 2023 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, in addition to multiple UCLA All-Academic Team selections.
Following his collegiate career, he signed a Homegrown contract with Real Salt Lake and has made more than 50 professional appearances after totaling 70 collegiate appearances at UCLA with 9 goals and 23 assists.
Ryan Becher
Position: Central Midfielder
Professional: Union Omaha (USL League One), St. Louis City 2 (MLS Next Pro)
Ryan Becher earned 2022 NCAA Division I “Best Starting XI” honors at UMBC, along with America East First Team and United Soccer Coaches Northeast Region recognition after posting double-digit goals and assists. He also earned 2021 America East Second Team and 2019 All-Rookie Team honors. After a graduate season at UCLA, where he was named Pac-12 Player of the Week and helped secure the Bruins’ final Pac-12 Championship, he signed professionally with St. Louis City 2.
Across his collegiate career at UMBC and UCLA, he recorded 77 appearances, 31 goals, and 22 assists and has now accumulated over 60 professional appearances and recorded double digit professional goals.
OTHER CONTRIBUTORS
In addition to our player contributors, Kickoff is supported by experienced professionals working at the highest levels of sport performance, health, and collegiate athletics. Our network includes a Head Athletic Trainer from Angel City FC with previous experience at UCLA Men’s Soccer, registered dietitian nutritionists, sport and clinical sport psychologists working within Division I and professional environments including Real Salt Lake, as well as performance therapists and strength and conditioning coaches from universities such as the University of Wisconsin–Madison and William & Mary.
We are also advised by current and former NCAA head and associate head coaches from programs including the UCLA, University of the Pacific, Lehigh University, Roanoke College, and Randolph College. Their collective experience across professional clubs, Division I athletics, and collegiate coaching environments reinforces the accuracy, relevance, and practical value of the guidance provided throughout the Kickoff platform.
