Jacob Medina | Center Midfielder | 5’8”

Medina will don the Blue and Gold of his hometown UC Santa Barbara after growing up in the Gauchos’ back yard. A central midfielder from San Marcos High School, Medina also played for Santa Barbara Soccer Club over the past decade plus. He has been a regular starter for SBSC’s MLS Next team in the four years since Major League Soccer introduced the nation-wide youth league, earning an invitation to the United States Youth National Training Center.

“Jacob’s technical quality and decision making are at a very high level,” Vom Steeg said. “His ability to see and understand the game will lend to a quick transition to Division I college soccer. He will add another attacking option to our already potent attack next season, playing primarily as a central attacking midfielder.” 

Zac Siebenlist | Forward | 6’0”

Siebenlist, a forward from up Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo has played right alongside Medina in MLS Next, also playing his way into SBSC’s regular starting lineup in the league. Siebenlist was named to the “Best Of” match at MLS Next Fest, the all-star game for the league’s showcase event, which featured over 400 clubs from across the country. He also earned himself a spot on the U.S. Olympic Development Program’s team from Southern California.

“Zac is a member of Santa Barbara Soccer Club who, along with Jacob, competes in the MLS Next league against the best players in the country,” Vom Steeg said. “Zac has all of the physical tools and top-level athleticism to contribute right away at the Division I level. He is also a very versatile player who, combined with his technical abilities, is capable of playing multiple positions. We anticipate Zac starting his college career as a forward.”

Colby Renton | Defender | 5’10”

Like his fellow signees, Renton came through MLS Next, also as a regular starter. Unlike Medina and Siebenlist, the Vancouver native Renton comes from a Major League Soccer academy — that of his hometown Vancouver Whitecaps. A regular starter in the Whitecaps’ defensive line, Renton also had the unique opportunity to train with professional side Vancouver FC, which plays in the Canadian Premier League, at the highest level of Canada’s soccer pyramid.

“Colby is a defender who has extensive experience playing against some of the best attacking players in the country,” Vom Steeg said. “He is comfortable using both feet and will provide much needed depth both at the right and left side of our defense. Although he is a defender first, Colby is very effective as a wide attacking option especially if we utilize a three-back system next year.”