San José, Calif. – San José State head men's soccer coach Simon Tobin has announced the signing of Charles Debling and Joel Garcia to National Letters of Intent. The duo will compete for the Spartans beginning in the 2020 season.
Debling, a striker out of Los Gatos, will bring plenty of versatility to the pitch for SJSU next fall. Choosing to stay near home for college, Debling is a product of nearby Los Gatos High School.
"Charles is a strong-running No. 9," says Tobin. "He will offer us something a little different up top and we are excited to get him into the mix."
Los Gatos ?? San José
— San José State Men's Soccer (@SanJoseStateMS) December 10, 2019
Another addition to NorCal's home for the region's top high school talent ???? pic.twitter.com/MrKFJTAz7c
Garcia will come to San José State by way of Salinas. Starring at Alisal HS, the defender has shown plenty of range throughout his club and youth career.
"Joel typically played as an attacking fullback," Tobin says. "He is also comfortable in the midfield and will be a great fit here."
Another NorCal product ??
— San José State Men's Soccer (@SanJoseStateMS) December 20, 2019
Welcome to the club, Joel Garcia! pic.twitter.com/jrGst5GxO2
The pair of Northern California and San Jose Earthquake Academy products will join a Spartan roster already loaded with some of the region's top high school talent. The team's 2019 side featured 23 players that hailed from the region, including two from Alisal HS in Salinas. In addition, all 11 starters in the club's postseason-clinching victory on Nov. 3 were Northern California products.
"Both Charles and Joel are products of a top-level, competitive MLS youth system and excellent coaching," says Tobin. "We are continuing to recruit top NorCal talent which we feel best represents SJSU."
Tobin is entering his seventh season at the helm in San José. His 343 career victories ranks at No. 10 in all of Division I among active coaches.