BERKELEY – The California men's soccer program continues to produce its share of professional players under head coach Kevin Grimes, with the tally of pro Golden Bears – including 2019 stars Drake Callender and Simon Lekressner – currently at 16.
 
"Having 16 current professional soccer players is a testament to the players themselves, first and foremost," Grimes said. "Obviously, these former Cal student-athletes have an amazing dedication to their craft, and in many cases, have shown incredible resilience to continue their professional careers for so long. The team culture and training environment that we create has paid massive dividends for our student-athletes over many years.  It's great to see that this continues to thrive here at Cal."
 
Callender – the All-Pac-12 second-team goalkeeper who posted six shutouts in 2019 and who along with Lekressner helped lead Cal to the NCAA tournament in the fall – is now a member of first-year Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF. Lekressner, an All-Pac-12 first-team defender who notched career highs in goals (5) and points (12) in 2019, signed with New England Revolution II, the reserve or USL (United Soccer League) team of the senior MLS club that drafted him in January.
 
The erstwhile Bears in MLS – which recently began its 25th season – include goalkeeper and two-time MLS Cup champion Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders), defender Steven Birnbaum (D.C. United), midfielder Hector Jimenez (Columbus Crew), goalkeeper David Bingham (Los Angeles Galaxy), defender Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes) and defender Sam Junqua (Houston Dynamo).
 
Several former Cal goalkeepers, who played under the tutelage of Cal goalkeeper coach Henry Foulk, have moved onto the pro ranks. Along with Frei, Bingham and Callender, that number currently includes Jonathan Klinsmann (St. Gallen, Swiss Super League) and Alex Mangels (Chattanooga Red Wolves, USL).
 
A second pro Bear continues to ply his trade abroad, with forward Chris Cortez playing for FC Helsingør in the Danish Second Division. Midfielder Jose Carrera-Garcia returned to the United States from Mexico's Celaya FC to sign with the USL's Las Vegas Lights. The USL has four former Grimes protégés including midfielder Seth Casiple, now with Orange County SC.
 
California United Strikers FC of NISA (National Independent Soccer Association) boasts the largest collection of former Bears on one team, with midfielders Alec Sundly and Shinya Kadono joining midfielder Christian Thierjung at the club during the offseason.