Spirits Select First Eight Players in Team History
Inaugural Lehigh Valley Roster Members Revealed as a part of 2026 MASL Expansion Draft on Tuesday Night
May 27, 2026
Lehigh Valley, PA – A new chapter of professional indoor soccer in the Lehigh Valley officially began Tuesday night as the first eight players in Lehigh Valley Spirits history were selected during the 2026 MASL Expansion Draft.
In front of an energized crowd at Chickie’s & Pete’s inside PPL Center, the Spirits unveiled the foundation of their inaugural roster during a special event hosted by legendary soccer broadcaster and MASL President of Communications and Media JP Dellacamera.
“You could feel the excitement throughout the room and we could see it on the live stream chat as Spirits fans and MASL fans gathered to learn more about their team and coaching staff,” said Dellacamera. “Having eight different individuals involved in the selection process brought a unique energy and perspective to the event. Now, everyone is eager to see this team take the field for the first time in December!”
The evening featured appearances and selections from notable guests from across the Lehigh Valley community as the Spirits officially welcomed forward Jairo Guevara, goalkeeper William Banahene, defender John Gates, midfielder David Stankovic, midfielder Douglas Lima, defender Ben Suddeth, midfielder Steven Teixeira, and defender Nilton de Andrade as the first players in team history ahead of the club’s inaugural MASL season in 2026-27.
Guevara, 23, was the first selection in Spirits history and joins Lehigh Valley following three seasons with the Baltimore Blast. A dynamic attacking player known for his speed and creativity, Guevara continued his rise during the 2025-26 campaign, finishing tied for fifth on Baltimore in goals (10) while ranking second on the team in scoring percentage (.313) among players appearing in at least five games. The Alexandria, Virginia native signed his first professional contract with the Blast prior to the 2023-24 season after developing through the Portland Timbers FC Academy system. Guevara also captured back-to-back United States Futsal Federation National Championships in 2017 and 2018 with the Alexandria Soccer Association (ASA), the same club where he began playing at six years old. Guevara was also in attendance for Tuesday night’s event as he was officially welcomed to the Lehigh Valley with tremendous excitement.
“I’m extremely excited,” said Guevara of beginning his new chapter in Lehigh Valley. “Just looking at [PPL Center], it’s spectacular. It’s much bigger and I’m just really excited—I’m taking it all in.”
Banahene, 31, arrives in Lehigh Valley as one of the league’s most respected veteran goalkeepers and community ambassadors. In addition to joining the roster as a player, Banahene
will also serve as Assistant General Manager for the Spirits and oversee the organization’s community outreach initiatives.
Nicknamed “Willie B,” Banahene’s shot-stopping ability and commanding presence in goal have also earned him another fitting alias “Will the Wall” throughout his MASL career. A seven-year MASL veteran and 2025 All-Star, Banahene spent the last four seasons with the Milwaukee Wave after beginning his professional indoor career with the Harrisburg Heat. During his time in Milwaukee, he represented the organization at more than 45 community events while also playing under Spirits Sporting Director and Technical Director Giuliano Oliviero during his first three seasons with the club. Last season, Banahene helped guide the Wave to the MASL Ron Newman Cup Final before Milwaukee ultimately fell to the San Diego Sockers in a decisive Game 3.
Away from the field, Banahene founded AFC Rochester in his hometown of Rochester, New York in 2019. The youth soccer organization has grown to a projected 1,000-plus registered players for the upcoming 2026-27 season. He also operates 10 annual summer soccer camps between Rochester and Milwaukee, serving more than 750 youth participants each year.
Gates, 23, is coming off his first professional indoor season with the St. Louis Ambush after appearing in 19 games and recording seven goals and six assists. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Gates developed into a versatile two-way player capable of contributing on both ends of the field as a defender. Prior to entering the MASL, Gates competed outdoors with FC Ambush in 2025 and St. Charles FC during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He also played collegiately at Loyola University Chicago, where he earned Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 2021. Indoor soccer and MASL roots run deep in his family, as his father, John Gates (Sr.), appeared in 46 games for the original St. Louis Ambush from 1993-96.
Stankovic, 25, joins the Spirits after spending the past two seasons with the Kansas City Outlaws. The midfielder from Wylie, Texas totaled seven points (4G-3A) in 13 appearances during the 2025-26 season after an impressive rookie campaign the year prior. During his first MASL season in 2024-25, Stankovic led Kansas City with 15 goals in 23 games, highlighted by a two-goal performance in his professional debut on December 21, 2024 and a hat trick against the Dallas Sidekicks on February 26, 2025. Before turning professional, he played collegiately at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Lima, 30, brings veteran experience and offensive production to the Spirits after appearing in 73 career MASL games across six seasons with Tacoma, the Turlock Express, and the Ontario Fury, now known as the Empire Strykers. Nicknamed “Dodo,” the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil native has totaled 44 career points on 30 goals and 14 assists while consistently providing creativity in the midfield. During his time with Turlock, Lima posted career-highs in goals (10), assists (8), and points (18) in just 14 games. He originally signed with the Tacoma Stars ahead of the 2019-20 season and later returned to action after missing the entirety of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns.
Suddeth, 24, joins Lehigh Valley following his professional rookie season with the Empire Strykers. The defender appeared in nine games during the 2025-26 season after a collegiate
career that included stops at Chicago State University and Northern Illinois University. Originally born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in the United States, Suddeth adds athleticism and defensive depth to the Spirits’ inaugural roster.
Teixeira, 31, arrives in Lehigh Valley after appearing in nine games with Utica City FC during the 2025-26 season. The Brockton, Massachusetts product scored two goals during the year, including one in his MASL debut on January 4, 2026 against Baltimore. A midfielder with extensive outdoor experience, Teixeira previously competed for Brockton FC United in the United Premier Soccer League and also played two seasons of NCAA soccer at UMass Dartmouth.
de Andrade, 30, enters his fifth MASL season after helping the San Diego Sockers capture the 2026 Ron Newman Cup championship earlier this spring. The defender from Fogo, Cape Verde has appeared in 81 career MASL games, recording 109 points (71G-38A) across stints with Utica City FC and San Diego. After spending four seasons with Utica from 2022-2026 where he also earned a selection to the MASL All-Star Game in 2025, de Andrade was traded to the Sockers on February 28, 2026 in exchange for midfielder Juan Salazar before contributing two goals and one assist during San Diego’s postseason championship run. Before his professional career, de Andrade enjoyed a decorated collegiate career at UMass Boston, where he earned All-American honors twice, received two All-Region selections, and was named the Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 after leading the conference in goals, points, and game-winning goals. He became the program’s first-ever player to receive First Team All-American honors.
For a full replay of the 2026 MASL Expansion Draft, visit the MASL’s official YouTube and Facebook channels.
The Spirits roster will continue to grow in the coming months ahead of the 2026-27 season later this fall and the team’s Home Opener at PPL Center on December 5, 2026.
For more information and to place deposits for the upcoming inaugural season of Spirits action, visit LVSpirits.com.