The Syracuse men’s soccer program has had a large amount of talent come through over the years, some of whom are making waves in profesional leagues across the world. With the MLS regular season wrapping up and european leagues beginning once again, now seems like a great time to see how our former Orange are doing in the pros.
Alex Bono | 2012-14 | GK | DC United (MLS)
Since DC United’s early cup exit to USL League One side One Knoxville FC, Bono had not seen any playing time for DC United this season. The 32-year-old shot stopper has not found
much playing time for a DC United side currently sitting 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference, although defensively, they rank sixth in the conference in fewest goals allowed. Unfortunately, it seems like Bono’s starting days at the MLS level might be over, although he still might have a few more years as a backup, and a veteran presence in the locker room. No matter what, he has acrewed an incredible career for both the Orange and at the professional level.
Tajon Buchanan | 2017-18 | LW | Villarreal CF (La Liga)
Buchanan is returning to Villarreal for his third season after a World Cup campaign with Canada that saw him start every match, although not contribute any goals or assists. The Canadian international started the season on the bench for Villarreal, however has started in their last four matches, including a champions league match against German giants Borussia Dortmund, which they lost 3-2. Buchanan seems like a cornerstone in this Villarreal team, which has established themselves as a top 5 side in the league the last two seasons, making the Champions League in both. The 27-year-old seems to have finally found a home after a difficult stint in Italy, and has been making a name for himself in Spain.
Kamal Miller | 2015-18 | CB | Portland Timbers (MLS)
While Kamal Miller did not attend the World Cup for Canada, he has been an important player in the Portland Timbers defense. He has started 17 games for the Timbers, and came off the bench in another four. He has even scored a goal this season, scoring Portland’s second in a 5-1 win against their bitter Pacific Northwest rivals the Seattle Sounders. Overall, Miller has been a solid contributor to this Portland team, even though he was not selected to go to the World Cup.
Miles Robinson | 2015-16 | CB | FC Cincinnati
Robinson was selected to be one of the players on the USMNT for the 2026 World Cup. During the tournament, Robinson played one game, a full 90 in the Stars and Stripes 3-2 loss to Turkiye. For club, he has still started to total of 19 games for FC Cincinnati this season. Unfortunately, this has not translated to much team success. FC Cincinnati now ranks dead last in the MLS eastern conference for goals conceded, and they sit tenth in the conference as a whole.
Deandre Kerr | 2020-21 | ST | AVS Futebol SAD (Liga Portugal 2)
After a few solid seasons with Toronto FC, Kerr was moved last transfer window to second division Portugese side AVS Futebol SAD. The club itself was only founded three years ago, and even spent some time in the top flight, before getting relegated after finishing last the previous season. Kerr has not played any matches for AVS so far this season due to an injury he picked up, however he is still rated as the clubs most expensive player by market value on Transfermarkt, so it is quite possible he could jump into a big role as this club tries to get back up to the top division.
Levonte Johnson | 2022 | LW | Forge FC (Canadian Premier League)
Another player with a recent move, Johnson left USL Championship side Colorado Springs Switchbacks on loan to go to Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League. Since Johnson’s move to Forge, he has only played 62 total minutes for the club, contributing no goals or assists. His time in Hamilton will be short, however, as he returns from loan late in November, around when the CPL finishes their season. Forge FC is in a very good spot currenly, sitting second in the league, so even if he might not be contributing much, it could be possible we see a former Orange player lifting some silverware this season.
Luther Archemede | 2019-21 | ST | New Mexico United (USL Championship)
Archimede has been a very important part to a New Mexico United team that currently sits second in the USL Championship western conference. He has played in 16 matches for the club and has scored twice. However, his contract does end after this season, so it is possible he could be playing somewhere else soon. The last time his contract was about to run out, New Mexico did resign him, so if they still see worth in keeping him around, he could stay and try to win a USL Championship with the black and yellow.
Jeorgio Kocevski | 2020-23 | CM | FC Tulsa (USL Championship)
Kocevski is another player that has hit his stride in the USL championship, as the midfielder has been a big part of FC Tulsa this past season. Jeorgio has started 23 matches for the club, scoring two goals and assisting four. His defensive capabilites have been where hes really shined, however, as he has an 81% tackle success rate. His contributions have led to some success for Tulsa, as although they currently sit 7th in the western conference, there are only two points seperating them and third with a game in hand, so a good finish to the season could see them get a top four finish.
Nathan Opoku | 2022 | ST | Northampton (League Two)
Opoku has recently been sent on loan to Northamption Town FC, the third time he’s been loaned out by his parent club, Leicester City, since he joined them in 2023. The Foxes clearly still have belief in Opoku however, as he recently signed a contract extention keeping him with the club until the end of this season. Northampton has been quick to get Opoku into the squad however, as he has played in five of the club’s six matches so far this season, starting four of them. He’s even scored for them already this season, tallying in the club’s 1-1 draw against Crawley Town. Overall, while it is still early, it seems like Opoku will be an important part of Northampton’s quest to return to League One.
Matt Orr | 2019 | ST | Shanghai Port FC (CSL)
Matt Orr has begun to have some more success in China recently, as he scored his first goal for Shanghai Port in a match in july against Quingdao West Coast. Unfortunately, hes only made six appearences for the club this season total, so he has not had many more chances since then. However, he’s made up for this lack of club success by beginning to make a name for himself with the national team, as he has been a big part in the rise of Hong Kong’s national team in the international scene. He scored the fourth goal in Hong Kong’s 4-0 thrashing of Laos in the opening match of the ASEAN cup, a huge win that turned some heads in the international community. In an interview with FIFA, Orr said “Rather than just playing friendlies, there is something on the line here and when there is a trophy up for grabs that’s something we all want to win.” The job is far from finished for Orr when it comes to this ASEAN cup, so we will see how this former Orange leads his country in the matches to come.
