Pitt men’s soccer latest roster additions bring mix of youth, promise, local flavor and depth

Head coach Jay Vidovich and the Pitt Panthers men’s soccer team have been training and preparing for the 2026 campaign over the past week-plus.

Now, we’re finally seeing the added touches on Pitt roster, which seen an influx of talent, as more formal new player announcements by the program have come over the past week.

Adding to the core group of returnees and early portal transfers that have previously been announced and shared by Pittsburgh Soccer Now, Pitt has officially announced several key late additions—headlined by local standouts and high-ceiling international and domestic talent.

With 21 players currently listed on Pitt’s official website roster, these latest additions bring the Panthers’ active count to 24 confirmed players heading into the final stretch of preseason camp. Under the NCAA Division I maximum roster limit of 28, Vidovich and his staff still have up to four open spots remaining. This buffer gives the program strategic flexibility to finalize late administrative or international clearances, evaluate walk-on tryouts during early camp sessions, and potentially unveil a few more final roster additions before next Thursday’s season opener against Maryland.

Newly Announced Additions

From a local interest perspective, the arrivals of Moon Township native Carter Kopay and former Kiski School standout Mamadou Tall are particularly intriguing—giving Pittsburgh soccer fans two high-upside local products to root for on the pitch. At the same time, the rest of this late recruiting push underscores the global and nationwide footprint of Jay Vidovich’s program. Looking across these latest updates, Pitt’s reach extends everywhere from Texas to Barcelona, Spain, blending high-level domestic academy roots with elite international technical caliber as the Panthers prepare for another rigorous campaign.

• Newly Announced Additions

  • Carter Kopay (Defender/Midfielder | Moon Twp, PA): The Moon native carries a strong local legacy following his brothers Justin and Ryan. Kopay developed through Beadling SC’s MLS Next program and honed his form playing with Steel City FC this summer, bringing local grit and proven versatility.

  • Mamadou Tall (Forward | The Kiski School / Senegal): Arriving as a true freshman, Tall (#12) was a dominant force in high school. Local fans got a firsthand look at his physical presence and scoring drive during standout performances at the JRK Memorial Classic at Pine-Richland against WPIAL powerhouses.

  • Bruno Bertran (Forward | Barcelona, Spain): A freshman attacking option who brings sharp technical prowess and tactical awareness from the deep Spanish academy system — and brother of Miguel — who is among returnees to the midfield.

  • Simon Tonidandel (Midfielder | Clemmons, NC): A promising freshman central midfielder (#25) adding technical poise and depth to the middle of the pitch.

  • Lukah Shah (Goalkeeper | Missouri City, TX): A sophomore shot-stopper (#31) providing additional depth and competition in the defensive unit.

  • Taren Wente (Goalkeeper | Albuquerque, NM): A freshman goalkeeper adding length and developmental depth to the keeper room.

  • Ethan Pendleton (Defender | Washington, D.C.): Re-confirming the UCLA transfer (#2) with deep D.C. United Academy roots and USL Championship minutes with Loudoun United, who adds immediate overlapping athleticism to the flanks.

  Comprehensive Pitt Men’s Soccer 2026 Roster Tracker

  New Additions & Transfers

  Player	Position	Class/Eligibility	Previous Team / Academy Pipeline	Key Attribute / Background
  Caden Grabfelder	Midfielder	Senior (#11)	Penn State / CF Montréal	2025 MLS SuperDraft selection; 18 career goal contributions in Big Ten.
  Ethan Pendleton	Defender	Sophomore (#2)	UCLA / D.C. United / Loudoun Utd	Elite engine on the flanks; pro USL Championship experience.
  Carter Kopay	Def / Mid	Freshman	Moon Twp / Beadling MLS Next / Steel City	Local product; strong pedigree and high work rate.
  Mamadou Tall	Forward	Freshman (#12)	The Kiski School / Senegal	Explosive attacking force; impressed at JRK Memorial Classic.
  Bruno Bertran	Forward	Freshman	Barcelona, Spain	High technical ceiling out of European academy system.
  Cannon Scretchen	Defender	Junior (#22)	Xavier / Huntsville City FC	MLS Next Pro experience with Nashville SC pipeline.
  Cristian LoGrasso	Midfielder	Senior (#14)	NJIT	Experienced domestic collegiate depth in central midfield.
  Pablo Portero	Midfielder	Junior (#21)	Atlantic School / Spain	Composed distributor and technical playmaker.
  Simon Tonidandel	Midfielder	Freshman (#25)	Clemmons, NC	Central tactical engine and young midfield prospect.
  Lukah Shah	Goalkeeper	Sophomore (#31)	Missouri City, TX	Quality depth in goal.
  Taren Wente	Goalkeeper	Freshman	Albuquerque, NM	High-upside young shot-stopper.

  Key Returning Core

  • Goalkeepers & Defense: Jack Moxom (Sr., GK, #1) returns as the anchor between the posts. He is joined in front of goal by experienced defenders Ferran Baqué (So., #4), Gavin Wetzel (So., #24), Josh Hardin (Sr., #13), and MLS SuperDraft pick Niklas Sørensen (Jr., #5, who spent his summer sharpening his game alongside Moxom with Riverhounds Two).

  • Midfield: Retains core playmakers Logan Oliver (Sr., #6), Anders Bordoy (Sr., Kiski Area, #26), Santiago Ferreira (Sr., #28), Miguel Bertran (Jr., #10), and Grayson Carter (So., #20).

  • Attack: Senior options up front feature Albert Thorsen (Sr., #9), Zahir Dyke (Sr., #15), and local product Alex Hauskrecht (Sr., Winchester Thurston, #27).

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).