Defense

Position: Defender
Hometown: Turlock, CA
Height: 6-foot
Previous: Orlando City B

Bio: Born in Turlock, California, Hayden Sargis is a center back known for his composure on the ball, positional awareness, and leadership along the back line. A product of the Sacramento Republic FC academy, Sargis progressed quickly through the club’s development system before signing his first professional contract with the Republic in 2020. He later gained experience across multiple levels of the American professional game, including time with D.C. United, Loudoun United, Phoenix Rising, Las Vegas Lights, and Orlando City B. With experience in both MLS and USL Championship environments, Sargis brings defensive organization, technical ability, and professional experience to the squad.

Timeline: Sargis developed in the Sacramento Republic FC academy from 2015 through 2020, progressing through the club’s youth system before signing a professional contract with the first team. He began his professional career with Sacramento Republic FC in the USL Championship during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, making more than 30 appearances and establishing himself as a young defensive prospect in the league. In 2022, Sargis signed with D.C. United of Major League Soccer. During his time with the club, he gained additional professional minutes through loan spells with Loudoun United FC and Phoenix Rising FC during the 2022 season. Across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Sargis continued to build experience within the American professional system, including a loan stint with Las Vegas Lights FC in the USL Championship. Ahead of the 2025 season, Sargis signed with Orlando City B in MLS Next Pro, where he became a regular contributor in defense and recorded his first goal for the club during the campaign.

Position: Defender
Hometown: Dakar, Senegal
Height: 6-foot
Previous: Vermont Green FC

Bio: Born in Dakar, Senegal, Moussa Ndiaye is a versatile defender known for his leadership, tactical awareness, and composure on the ball. He developed his game at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he established himself as one of the top defenders in the country and earned multiple conference and national honors. At the club level, Ndiaye has been a cornerstone for Vermont Green FC in USL League Two, serving as captain, setting the club’s all-time appearance record, and earning League Two Defender of the Year honors in 2025. His blend of high-level collegiate experience and proven leadership at the pre-professional level brings experience, competitiveness, and defensive quality to the squad.

Timeline: Ndiaye played collegiately at VCU from 2022 through 2025, where he became a stalwart of the Rams’ back line and earned significant recognition for his performances. His collegiate honors included Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team, All-American Second Team, and multiple All-Atlantic 10 selections, cementing his reputation as one of the top defenders in college soccer. In 2023, he joined Vermont Green FC in USL League Two, quickly becoming a fixture in the lineup and a leader within the squad. Ahead of the 2024 season, Ndiaye was named club captain, helping guide the team through league play and the U.S. Open Cup. During the 2024 campaign, he earned USL League Two Player of the Month honors in May, reflecting his influence in both central defense and the defensive midfield. In 2025, Ndiaye continued his impact with Vermont Green, helping lead the club to national prominence. He was named USL League Two Defender of the Year, earned Eastern Conference Team of the Year honors, and became the club’s all-time appearance leader, capping a standout season of leadership and consistency.

Position: Defender
Hometown: Waxhaw, North Carolina
Height: 6-foot-4
Previous: UNC Asheville

Bio: Born in Waxhaw, North Carolina, Benian Yao is a defender known for his physical presence, leadership, and defensive instincts. He developed through a strong collegiate pathway, beginning at Viterbo University before transferring to UNC Asheville, where he became a key figure along the Bulldogs’ back line. Comfortable organizing from the back and contributing on set pieces, Yao brings experience and reliability to the defensive unit.

Timeline: Yao began his collegiate career at Viterbo University, where he established himself as a consistent starter and leader. During his time with the V-Hawks, he earned CAC All-Conference and All-Tournament honors, was named Viterbo Player of the Year, served as team captain, and helped guide the program to the NAIA National Tournament. He transferred to UNC Asheville ahead of the 2023 season, quickly becoming an important part of the Bulldogs’ defensive group. During the 2023 campaign, Yao appeared regularly and scored his first NCAA goal — a game-winner at Longwood — earning Big South Defensive Player of the Week recognition. In 2024, he continued as a regular contributor, starting the majority of matches and adding two goals from the back line while helping anchor one of the program’s strongest defensive seasons. His performances earned him Big South All-Conference Second Team and Academic All-District honors. Yao remained a steady presence through 2025, contributing defensively and offensively while providing leadership and consistency across conference play.

Position: Defender
Hometown: Heiligenkreuz, Austria
Height: 6-foot-1
Previous: Forward Madison FC

Bio: Born in Heiligenkreuz, Austria, Jacob “Jake” Crull is an accomplished defender with a proven track record in USL League One. Crull most recently played with Forward Madison from 2023-2025 and has been a consistent presence on the back line, earning recognition as a USL League One All-League Second Team defender in 2023. Known for his defensive reliability, work rate, and tactical discipline, he brings experience, versatility, and a strong competitive edge to the squad.

Timeline: Crull played collegiately at Spring Arbor University from 2016 to 2019, where he established himself as a consistent performer and earned NAIA All-American honors during his career. During the 2018 and 2019 summer seasons, he also gained additional experience in USL League Two with the Charlotte Eagles. He signed his first professional contract with Union Omaha ahead of the 2020 season, beginning his professional career in USL League One and contributing across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns. Crull continued in USL League One with FC Tucson in 2022, before signing with Forward Madison FC later that year. From 2023 through 2025, he became a regular presence on Madison’s back line and earned USL League One All-League honors during his time with the club.

Position: Defender
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Height: 6-foot-5
Previous: FC Naples

Bio: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Jake Dengler joins Athletic Club Boise after gaining experience across multiple professional leagues in the United States. His career includes time in the USL Championship with Loudoun United and USL League One Clubs South Georgia Tormenta and, most recently, FC Naples. Known for his defensive awareness, physicality, and versatility, he now brings depth, experience, and competitiveness to the club.

Timeline: Dengler began his collegiate career at Community College of Baltimore County in 2017, where he made an immediate impact. He later played at Loyola University Maryland in 2018 and transferred to the University of Connecticut in 2019, continuing to build experience at the collegiate level. During his college years, he also competed with FC Baltimore Christos in the National Premier Soccer League, gaining valuable semi-professional experience. He signed his first professional contract with Loudoun United FC ahead of the 2020 season. In 2021, Dengler joined Maryland Bobcats FC in NISA, earning team MVP honors. Dengler moved to USL League One in 2022 with South Georgia Tormenta FC, where he was named to the All-LEague USL One Second Team. In December 2024, he signed with FC Naples ahead of the club’s inaugural USL League One campaign. He was named to the All-USL League One Second Team for his great performance during the 2025 season.

Position: Wingback/Defender
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Height: 6-foot-1
Previous: Miami FC

Bio: Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jonathan Ricketts joins Athletic Club Boise after building a professional résumé across the American soccer pyramid. Ricketts has earned experience in USL League One and the USL Championship, including stops with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Rio Grande Valley FC, Sacramento Republic FC, and Miami FC. Known for his defensive reliability, work rate, and versatility, Ricketts brings experience, toughness, and composure to the club.

Timeline: Ricketts played collegiately at Bryan College from 2016 to 2019, while also playing for Dalton Red Wolves (2019). He then advanced to play with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in USL League One, returning for the 2021 season as part of the club’s early “path-to-pro” pipeline. In 2022, he stepped up to the USL Championship with Rio Grande Valley FC, where he became a consistent contributor over two seasons. Sacramento Republic FC signed Ricketts ahead of the 2024 season following his 2023 campaign with RGV, and he joined Miami FC ahead of the 2025 season.