Former and present Everett High soccer players making significant news on the pitch

By Joe McConnell

The Everett soccer community is in the spotlight with five current or former Crimson Tide players, who have recently achieved acclaimed on the state and regional levels, and in one case beyond to the top perch in the sport.

On the collegiate level, former Everett High School (EHS) players Dieff Bonhomme, a freshman at Bunker Hill Community College, and Luan Cruz, a junior at UMass-Boston, made first-team All-Regional and second-team Little East All-Conference, respectively.

“Both players played significant roles during their time here at Everett High School,” said first-year EHS boys soccer coach Rodney Landaverde. “I got to witness them both shine (as Crimson Tide players), and seeing them continue that success at the next level is fantastic. I’m very proud of them.”

On the pro level, Gabriel Meireles recently signed on with the Baltimore Blast of the Professional Indoor Soccer League. “I have known Gabriel since we were kids. We played on various teams together growing up (in the city). It’s nice for him to reach that next level, and I wish him nothing but the best,” said Landaverde.

Meireles played one year as a Tide player in 2016, and accounted for 15 goals and 10 assists. Those statistics helped earn him a spot on the Greater Boston League (GBL) all-star squad. The Everett native then went on to play at Salem State University in 2018, accumulating eight goals and seven assists. Two years ago, he suited up for UMass-Boston, and by the end of that season he had 14 goals and 8 assists to make the All-Regional team. And now, he’s a pro.

On this year’s EHS boys and girls soccer teams, seniors Kareem Drissi and Yelsa Garcia were recognized last month as EMass first-team all-stars after enjoying successful seasons on the pitch.

Drissi was credited with two goals and eight assists on the boys team this year, while Garcia ended the 2024 campaign with 22 goals and 5 assists.

Everett High School girls soccer coach Dom Persuitte had plenty of superlatives to say about a player who he says was his “big playmaker” this year.

“First and foremost, (Garcia) is a true striker, and a generational player,” Persuitte said. “Her ability to read the game and move into position (to score goals) can’t be coached. It’s just natural. Her work ethic and physicality are also unmatched.

“(Garcia) has set a new standard for this program and her position (as a striker) on the (pitch) for years to come,” added Persuitte. “Yelsa has represented Everett for the past two years in the EMass all-star game as a first-team player. Since taking over the program, I have noticed that Everett was underrepresented in the EMass game, and I’m beyond excited and glad that Yelsa was the one to remedy it.”

Landaverde then offered this concluding statement: “It is amazing to see (former and present) Everett (High School) soccer players earn so much recognition for their hard work and dedication to the sport,” said Landaverde. “They are setting a standard of success that coach Dom Persuitte and I are fully committed to maintain for the next generation of Everett players. I’m very proud of both players, and it is a great way for them to cap their high school (soccer) careers.”