The562’s high school soccer coverage for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Long Beach Poly soccer alum Kennedy Justin.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The Wilson boys’ soccer program has enjoyed consistent, reliable success over the past decade, securing double-digit wins in eight of the last 10 seasons–most of those under head coach CJ Brewer.
Last season, the Bruins won 11 games, finished second place in a difficult Moore League, and won a pair of playoff games to reach the CIF-SS Division 5 quarterfinals. After a controversial 1-0 loss to Dominguez to wrap that season, the Bruins are back hungry, with an offensive-minded squad looking to carry them further in the postseason.
By the time the CIF brackets are released in February, regardless of where Wilson’s record stands, we’ll know they’re battle-tested. Wilson’s non-league schedule features a ton of high-profile matchups, including games against JSerra, Servite, Palos Verdes, Huntington Beach, Torrey Pines and more.
“We want all the smoke,” Brewer proclaimed. “Playing easy teams might help our record, but development comes from putting the team under pressure against the best.”
Wilson’s strength appears to lie with their attack, as a number of key returners fill out the front line and midfield. Included in that bunch is the strike tandem of Lio Rodriguez and Casey Pettyjohn. Rodriguez broke onto the scene as a freshman last season and should be even more effective as a 10th grader, and the senior Pettyjohn joined him as the leading scorers for Wilson a season ago.
“Both Lio and Casey are fast and dynamic going forward,” said Brewer. “I am excited to see them continue to lead our attack after having a year of varsity soccer experience under their belts.”
With plenty of veteran players in the midfield, Brewer likes what he’s seen from that group in preseason training. They’re not only mature and experienced, they’re experienced playing together, and that could yield bountiful results in creating scoring chances. Senior Manny Alonso and junior Pablo Pineda will slot in on the perimeter while seniors Yair Gonzalez and Andres Martinez will lock down central midfield.
Wilson’s defensive efforts will be led by junior goalkeeper Angel Ramirez; not just as the last line of defense, but because of his ability to inspire his teammates.
“We have always had great goalkeepers here at Wilson, and I am confident that Angel Ramirez will carry that tradition,” Brewer proclaimed. “He has looked primed and ready in his off-season prep. But the quality that stands out the most is Angel’s leadership abilities. He unites the boys and brings an intensity to our team that is much needed.”
He’ll be following in the footsteps of quality goalkeepers like Gavin Pool-Harris and Grayson Gilmore, but Ramirez is up for the challenge and has belief in himself and the team around him.
“Even though I’m not a senior, I think leading by example is something that I’ve always tried to do when I was younger,” Ramirez explained. “And as a goalkeeper, I always have to get on everybody, even if I mess up, I get on myself as well … I think that’s what makes us good together is we get on ourselves about mistakes, and we always put in the work in the off season. I think that’s what’s gonna give us excellence this year.”
Ahead of Ramirez is a back line full of upperclassmen, including seniors Ethan Supernaw and Diego Garrido, plus juniors Ethan Gutierrez and Zion McClain. The Bruins are also adding an exciting athlete in senior Thomas Jones to their defense. Jones has club soccer experience as a youngster, and after focusing on being a do-it-all football star, he’s back on the soccer field for his senior season.
Wilson will officially open the 2025-26 campaign with three straight home games, hosting Bellflower (Nov. 21), Huntington Beach (Dec. 1) and Servite (Dec. 3) right out of the gate. Moore League play will open on Dec. 17 at Jordan.
