The San Francisco Glens have announced the signing of Jake Himelstein, who has been elevated from their second team in the SFSFL to their first team in USL League Two.

“I’m excited. I’m looking forward to a chance to learn from [head coach Jimmy Conrad] and from the other players who are playing at a higher level than I am right now,” Himelstein said. “Being able to train and move up levels was something I couldn’t get from any other club in San Francisco.”

The 18-year-old midfielder has been playing with his hometown club for three years in total, moving up the ladder from the third to the second team under the tutelage of Glens coach Bill Chu. Himelstein also had a stint in Orlando City SC’s Development Academy.

“Jake had to play against kids a whole lot bigger, a whole lot faster, a whole lot more physical, but it just made him smart.” Chu said. “He plays with his head first. He’s looking to move the ball more than anything. He’s unselfish … and he’s ready to go to the next level.”

Himelstein also played high school soccer his senior year at Galileo High School, earning All-City honors from Top Drawer Soccer and the San Francisco Examiner. He will now enter his freshman year at the University of California-Berkeley, where he will fight for a spot on the team for the 2020 season.

“Jake has developed tremendously in our adult second team which competes in the SFSFL under Bill Chu,” said Glens executive director Mike McNeill. “As a club we take a lot of pride in having a pathway to provide these opportunities when players are ready to challenge themselves.”

Learn more about our Pathway Pyramid: sfglens.com/pathway