River Bluff’s Malpartida named to All-USA Soccer first team

The honors keep coming in for Marcelo Malpartida.

The River Bluff rising senior was a first team selection to the All-USA Boys Soccer teams, picked by USA Today High School Sports. He was the only player from South Carolina picked on the first and second teams.

Malpartida was an all-state selection and named the Gatorade South Carolina Player of the Year for his efforts in helping the Gators to their first Class 4A state championship. River Bluff finished the season ranked No. 3 in the final USA Today/NSCAA Soccer polls

Malpartida, a midfielder and College of Charleston commit, scored one goal, a game-winner to knock off Wando in the Class 4A playoffs, and dished out 25 assists this season.

Montverde Academy’s Esteban Calvo was named player of the year, and Central Bucks West Mike Gorni was coach of the year.

ALL-USA Soccer Teams

First Team

Detre Bell, South Kent School (Connecticut); AJ Palazzolo Christian Brothers (Missouri); Marcelo Malpartida, River Bluff; Michael DeShields, McDonogh School (Maryland); Esteban Calvo, Montverde Academy (Florida); Luca Levee, Milton Academy (Massachussetts); Johnny Antunes, St. Benedict’s Prep (New Jersey); Evan Vare, Central Bucks East (Pennsylvania); Lucas Mendes Washington-Lee (Virginia);

Garrett McLaughlin, Heritage Hall (Oklahoma); Frankie de la Camara, Belen Jesuit Prep (Florida)

Second team

Ifunanyachi Achara, Berkshire School (Mass.); Stephen Milhoan, St. Ignatius (Ohio); Alec Philippe, Marquette (Wisconsin); Ezequiel Quijada, Canoga Park (California); Hunter Holstad, Oak Mountain (Alabama); Addison Luck, Morgantown (West Virginia); Elliot Smith-Hastie, Loyola (California); Shane Bradley, Haverford (Pennsylvania); Mickey Georga, St. Benedict’s Prep (New Jersey); Jack Kielty, Delbarton (New Jersey); Peter Byrne Hellgate (Montana)

Player of the Year: Esteban Calvo, Montverde Academy

Coach of the Year: Mike Gorni, Central Bucks West