Harvey Boys Soccer coach Natalie Green believes the past few seasons have been building toward this moment.
After leaning heavily on younger players and allowing them to learn through varsity competition, the Red Raiders enter 2026 with eight returning starters, six additional returning letterwinners and the kind of depth Green hasn’t had since Harvey’s district championship season in 2023.
Now the Red Raiders want to turn that experience into another postseason run.
“This team has been really building for this season,” Green said. “We played a ton of younger guys the past couple of years to gain experience, and those players have now matured and appear ready to play to their potential.”
Harvey finished 10-7-1 overall and 3-1-1 in league play last season before falling to Chardon in a sectional final. Green, now in her ninth season as head coach, believes her veteran group remembers what it was like watching an earlier generation of Red Raiders make a deep tournament run.
“These seniors were freshmen when we made that run to regionals a few years back, and they are really motivated to have that type of run for themselves this season,” Green said. “We have a great blend of seniors with experience and younger guys with talent who can step in and provide us a spark.
“Definitely our deepest team top to bottom since winning districts back in 2023. If the pieces to the puzzle fit together like we hope, this could be a special group.”
Rangel Leads a Talented Midfield
Any discussion of Harvey’s championship aspirations begins with senior midfielder Arturo Rangel, a three-year starter coming off a huge junior season.
Rangel recorded 19 goals and four assists for 42 points in 2025, earning first-team All-Cleveland GCSSCA and first-team CVC honors along with second-team recognition from The News-Herald.
Green considers Rangel capable of performing at an even higher level this fall.
“Leader of the team,” Green said. “Could have a memorable season if he can remain healthy. One of the most talented midfielders in the state.”
Rangel’s importance extends beyond his individual production.
“He really is looking to leave a legacy before he graduates by leading this team to a title,” Green said.
Junior Saul Rodriguez gives Harvey another proven threat in the midfield after producing five goals and six assists for 16 points last season. An honorable mention All-Cleveland GCSSCA selection, Rodriguez is moving from forward to midfield.
Green believes the switch will allow Harvey to make better use of Rodriguez’s “athleticism and physicality.”
Senior Javier Ramirez provides another experienced option after recording two goals and three assists last season. A first-team All-Cleveland GCSSCA and second-team All-CVC selection, Ramirez can play in the midfield or along the back line.
“His versatility is going to benefit the team and provide us flexibility against certain opponents,” Green said.
Romero’s Return Could Change Harvey’s Attack
One of Harvey’s biggest additions isn’t actually a newcomer.
Junior Josh Romero entered last season expected to play a major role but suffered a knee injury before the season and appeared in only two matches.
Healthy again, Romero could dramatically change the Red Raiders’ attack.
“The X factor of this team,” Green said. “He can score and create with pace. Endless effort and presses with urgency from whistle to whistle.”
Green believes Romero’s combination of talent and work rate gives him an opportunity to emerge as one of the area’s most impactful players.
“He has the motor and talent to constantly impact a match,” Green said. “He is always looking to improve and become a game changer.”
Romero won’t have to carry the attack alone.
Senior Danilo Estrada, a three-year starter, returns after totaling eight goals and nine assists for 25 points last season. Estrada earned first-team All-Cleveland GCSSCA and first-team All-CVC honors.
“Experienced playmaker up top,” Green said. “Key contributor last season is looking to increase production his senior season.”
Junior Julian Angel could provide another scoring option from the wing. Angel finished with two goals last season, but Green believes there is significantly more potential waiting to be unlocked.
“Has a high ceiling but needs to be consistent,” Green said. “If it clicks for him, he could provide some scoring from the wing.”
Experienced Defense Gives Harvey Options
Harvey also returns significant experience defensively.
Senior Cris Delgado earned honorable mention All-Cleveland GCSSCA and All-CVC honors last season while contributing two goals.
Green described Delgado simply as the “heartbeat of the team.”
“Hard worker who just goes all out for the team,” she said.
Sophomore Reyver Duarte worked his way into the starting lineup late last season and enters 2026 with a much larger role awaiting him at center back.
“Became a starter and key contributor by the end of last season,” Green said. “Provides us with size and presence at center back.”
Senior Josue Aboytes brings pace from the fullback position and can become an attacking option when Harvey needs additional offense. He recorded a goal and an assist last season.
“Can create,” Green said. “Sometimes he will be used up top to try and get a late goal if necessary.”
Sophomore Jorge Rangel also gained valuable varsity experience because of Harvey’s injuries last season. He can play defensive midfield or fullback and started several matches late in the year.
“He was pushed into the lineup last year by injuries, and it definitely helped him gain valuable experience that shows already this season,” Green said.
Nila, Padilla Among Young Players Ready to Emerge
Harvey’s returning experience is complemented by a group of younger players who could make the Red Raiders considerably deeper than they were a year ago.
Sophomore Kevin Nila moved from midfield to center back during the offseason, and the switch has made an immediate impression.
“His speed and skill on the ball from the back gives the team another dimension that we have not had in a couple of seasons,” Green said.
Freshman midfielder Joel Padilla could force his way into the varsity rotation immediately.
“Joel has immense talent and could become a top player in the area in a very short time,” Green said. “His skill and soccer IQ are special. He has been pushing talented seniors and juniors for varsity playing time already. Will be a building block for the program for years to come.”
Sophomore Josue Espinoza is another player Green expects to take a significant step after injuries cost him much of last season.
“He had a terrific offseason and will definitely be in the varsity rotation,” Green said. “Tons of potential.”
Espinoza also has a family connection to one of Harvey’s recent standouts. His uncle, Julio Espinoza, was the CVC MVP for the Red Raiders in 2021.
Competition in Goal After Jacinto’s Graduation
The biggest question facing Harvey comes in goal.
The Red Raiders must replace Anthony Jacinto, a multiyear starter who will continue his playing career at Lakeland.
“He was a multiyear starter, and we have an ongoing keeper battle to replace him,” Green said.
Junior Dominic Cannon and senior Jadiel Hernandez are competing for the job.
Cannon’s career has been slowed by injuries, but Green hopes a healthy season will allow him to show his potential.
Hernandez has spent the past few seasons waiting behind Jacinto for his opportunity. A broken toe during the summer temporarily slowed his pursuit of the starting job, but Green expects him back in the competition.
Neither has Jacinto’s varsity experience, but Green sees the competition as a potential strength rather than simply a question mark.
“I think we will have two quality keepers, which could be a blessing over the course of a long season,” she said.
Depth Could Make the Difference
That depth might be Harvey’s most important improvement.
Last season, injuries combined with a short rotation took a toll as the schedule progressed. By the time Harvey faced Chardon in the tournament, the Red Raiders were running out of healthy bodies and energy.
“Last year we were so banged up and tired due to short rotation,” Green said. “That lack of depth really became apparent in our bigger matchups and the playoff match against Chardon, where we really hit a wall with the compounding effect of injuries and guys just running out of gas from a long regular season.”
Green adjusted the team’s offseason training, and the expanded roster should allow her to rotate players and move them into different positions depending on matchups.
“The hope is to be healthy and ready to go for our biggest matches and the postseason,” Green said. “The offseason training adjustments and the increased depth should help solve this issue.”
Red Raiders Focused on Returning to Their Standard
Harvey has the talent and experience to think about championships, but Green doesn’t want the Red Raiders spending August worrying about October.
Her message is much simpler.
“Take it one match at a time,” Green said. “No looking ahead or down the road to specific matches or postseason. One day at a time.”
If Harvey can maintain that approach, Green believes this group has an opportunity to restore the program to the level established by its recent championship teams.
“We are hoping to be back to our standard this season,” Green said. “We have some guys who are going to jump off the field and grab people’s attention.”
With Rangel orchestrating the midfield, Estrada providing proven production up front, Romero returning to the attack, an experienced defense and an influx of talented young players, the Red Raiders have plenty of pieces.
Now they have an entire season to see how well the puzzle fits together.
More Boys Soccer Coverage From OhioVarsity.com
HARVEY RED RAIDERS Boys Soccer
2026-2027 Harvey Red Raiders Boys Soccer Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Result | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 15, 2026 Saturday | vs  South Range | 12:00 PM | Jack Britt Memorial Stadium | |
| Aug. 18, 2026 Tuesday | W 4-2 | 7:00 PM | Spire | |
| Aug. 25, 2026 Tuesday | L 1-3 | 7:00 PM | Harvey | |
| Aug. 27, 2026 Thursday | W 1-0 | 6:45 PM | Soccer Stadium | |
| Sep. 1, 2026 Tuesday | W 3-1 | 7:00 PM | Harvey | |
| Sep. 3, 2026 Thursday | 7:00 PM | Jack Britt Memorial Stadium | ||
| Sep. 10, 2026 Thursday | @  Solon | L 0-2 | 7:00 PM | Solon High School Stewart Field Watch |
| Sep. 12, 2026 Saturday | W 5-1 | 12:00 PM | Warren Harding Watch | |
| Sep. 15, 2026 Tuesday | W 5-0 | 7:00 PM | Harvey Watch | |
| Sep. 17, 2026 Thursday | L 1-3 | TBA | Harvey | |
| Sep. 17, 2026 Thursday | W 4-1 | 7:00 PM | Weber Stadium Watch | |
| Sep. 22, 2026 Tuesday | L 0-2 | 7:00 PM | Orange Watch | |
| Sep. 24, 2026 Thursday | L 1-4 | 7:00 PM | Kenston Bomber Stadium Watch | |
| Sep. 29, 2026 Tuesday | W 7-0 | 5:00 PM | Perry | |
| Sep. 30, 2026 Wednesday | W 4-2 | 5:00 PM | Euclid High School | |
| Oct. 1, 2026 Thursday | W 5-0 | 6:00 PM | Jack Britt Memorial Stadium Watch | |
| Oct. 5, 2026 Monday | L 1-4 | 7:00 PM | Walton Stadium Watch | |
| Oct. 8, 2026 Thursday | W 3-0 | 7:30 PM | Bossu Field- Benedictine HS | |
| Oct. 12, 2026 Monday | L 1-6 | 7:00 PM | Jack Britt Memorial Stadium | |
| Oct. 15, 2026 Thursday | W 3-1 | 7:00 PM | Jack Britt Memorial Stadium Watch | |
| Oct. 21, 2026 Wednesday | vs  Tallmadge | GAME CENTER | 7:00 PM | Harvey |
Geneva Eagles
West Geauga Wolverines
Madison Blue Streaks
Chardon Hilltoppers
Warren Harding
Willoughby South Rebels
Gilmour Academy Lancers
Orange Lions
Kenston Bombers
Perry Pirates
Cornerstone Patriots
Edgewood Warriors
Hawken Hawks
Benedictine
Mentor Cardinals
Riverside Beavers
