PORTLAND, Ore. --- Midfielder and native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Caua Soares has signed a National Letter of Intent and will join the Portland men's soccer program as a freshman in the fall, announced head coach Nick Carlin-Voigt. Portland's incoming recruits were tabbed as the No. 5 recruiting class in the country by College Soccer News.
 
"We are excited to add Caua Soares to our soccer family here on The Bluff," Carlin-Voigt said. "Caua is a highly skilled soccer player with a quick soccer brain who can play multiple positions."
 
Soares is the No. 34 ranked recruit in the nation, and he landed on the Top Drawer Soccer All-American watch list while at Montverde Academy in Florida. He's also the No. 3 recruit in the state of Florida, and he's No. 12 nationally at his position. His club is the top-ranked team in the country, and they're currently riding a seven-year winning streak.
 
"Caua comes from one of the most competitive and demanding environments in the country in Montverde Academy led by Mike Potempa," added Carlin-Voigt. "In a short period of time, Mike has built one of the most elite training environments in our country, which will prepare Caua well for the transition to college soccer."
 
Soares also played for the Youth Academy of Fluminense Football Club.
 
"My decision to join the Pilots had a lot to do with the great atmosphere that the school has," said Soares. "It is a very good place to continue my academic journey, studying in a high-level university. The soccer program, with a highly qualified coaching staff, will help me develop as a soccer player.
 
"Portland has high-end facilities, and Merlo Field is amazing. The community embraces the soccer program, supporting at every game. Portland is known as soccer city in the U.S., and I believe UP will be the place to be in college soccer. It all composes the perfect place to help me get to the professional level and succeed, like many players that have worn the Pilots' shirt. I am really glad to be a part of The Bluff and I am sure we will have a bright future."
 
"Caua Soares is the epitome of the term 'student-athlete'," head coach and SIMA Director Mike Potempa said. "Since the moment he set foot on the campus of Montverde Academy, he has been exemplary in every phase of life from his academic performance to his progression on the soccer field. Caua is a true soccer player in every sense of the word and I have every confidence that he will help the University of Portland in immediate fashion to accomplish great things. Congratulations to Coach Carlin-Voigt and the Pilots for landing such a tremendous talent and special person."