Good job, Beineke. Wow, I didn't realize that there were so many future pros on all those '90s teams, I thought it was a narrower window, confined to just 2 or 3 years. Hmm, I may have to rethink this a bit, although I don't see 11 coming from this year's team. I remember seeing Cobi Jones early in his freshman year at UCLA and immediately telling people in the stands that he will be a pro. It really is fun to speculate. I particularly like Leonard Griffin, and hope that he makes it.
Yeah, it definitely surprised me, too. With MLS possibly expanding and college teams falling by the wayside, I wonder if UCLA could eventually go beyond 11 future pros.
Re: Re: How good is UCLA Nice research, Bein. I bet Sigi is still losing sleep over not getting a national title with this group. Shows you just how fickle the NCAA Tournament can be and how impressive it is for the teams that do win, particualry back-to-back. You aren't the only one. Obviously P40 players skew the draft a bit, but this kid will go high. Fast and good on the ball and able to play either wing back and big enough to be a marking back. Gregorio is also a lock to make is in MLS (or Europe) and I like Aaron Lopez's chances to. Taylor and Wells are on the fence but I think their chances are better than Futagaki's were a year ago and he made it. Among the younger players, Barrett and Griffin look like good bets, too and I wouldn't be surprised if others emerge as well once they get more minutes or a bigger role.
Now this is a discussion worth having To answer your question about whatever happened to Anton Nistl, he played for the San Diego Nomads of the old WSA on a team with Lucas Martin, Steve Black, Marcelo Balboa, Danny Pena and Eric Wynalda to mention just a few. If Tony Meola hadn't been Bruce Arena's "boy" Anton might have had a chance in Italia '90. The WSA became the APSL, and eventually became the A-League. It was a tough time (1984-1995) for great college soccer players who had limited options for professional opportunities. Many of the greatest ended up playing indoor for a living (Dale Ervine) or going overseas (Caliguiri) or merely playing with the National Team in limited duty (Krumpe, Vanole, etc.) How did the 92-94 Bruin teams not win titles? Great bunch of guys! Awesome talent. As for the late 90's I don't consider Seth George, Steve Shak, McKinley Tennyson, Taj Jakins, and Josh Keller "great" or even "successful" pros in any sense of the word. The jury is still out on Futagaki who didn't play much this year and Scott Thompson who I hope will get a chance with the Galaxy after he heals from injury. 4-6 of this years' group to MLS. Drafted maybe, playing is another thing. 2 or 3 tops! And how many will play for the National team? That is always a good yardstick regardless of era. Gregorio, no; Lopez, no; Griffin, perhaps; Taylor, no; Wells, no way! And its not because they aren't good. Its because there are too many better. And thanks to all of you who decided a conversation about the truly great Bruin teams of all-time was worth having, instead of complaining about my age, my spelling, my religious convictions, etc... Let's see how far these Bruins go. BTW, how in the hell did Sigi ever walk away from this program. This is the best coaching job in America.
Re: Now this is a discussion worth having How, exactly, did Meola being Bruce's boy help Tony make the 90 World Cup team? The 1990 team was coached by Bob Gansler. Bruce Arena had nothing to do with it. Gansler had a lot of faith in Meola. Even though Meola was still just a college sophomore, Gansler started him in crucial World Cup qualiers in 89, ahead of David Vanole, who has been the starter before Meola took over. And, Vanole had actually done pretty well as the starter, but Gansler just thought Meola had the chance to be much better much faster. After Meola helped the US qualify for Italia 90, there was no question whether Gansler was going to stick with him. Arena was considered, believe it or not, an outsider in the US Soccer Community even while he was winning all those NCAA titles. After he won the fourth straight, US Soccer couldn't ignore him anymore and they gave him the 96 Olympic gig in the fall of 95. The rest, as you know, is history.
Arena's "boy" Sandon, remember, you are responding to someone that does not have a regard for facts. Jscott dosen't want any facts to obscure his perception or memory. Remember, also, that this is the guy that said the WCC was better top to bottom than the PAC10 while going 3-8-2 against the Pac10. It should not surprise anyone that he did not know who coached the '90 world Cup team, and that his imagination conjured up a scenario that wronged Nistle. I have only punked this punk because I don't know why he cannot credit today's players and reveres yesterday's.
I stand corrected! Sandon, silly of me to forget Bob Gansler made that choice, not Bruce Arena. I guess we really OLD guys forget a lot of things. Meola getting the starting nod in WCQ was a shock to many, me included. Don't think that Bruce was an outsider in the soccer community at large. Just the clique at USSF (now US Soccer). Most of us in the coaching ranks considered him a good guy who spoke his mind and didn't fear the consequences. BTW, the Bruins win again today with a whole new cast of heroes, showing their depth. I'm still not sure they have enough to get by IU, though. We'll see. P.S. lastword, I spent part of my Thanksgiving weekend taking my daughter to see the best and brightest of today's players at the La Jolla Nomads Thanksgiving Tournament, and the San Diego Girls Thanksgiving Surf Cup. Mostly the U-17's who are miles ahead of where the U-17's of "my era" were. I sure hope Mom and Dad let you use the computer enough this weekend. I wouldn't want to hear the not-so-subtle threats (Pass the gravy, PUNK!) at that dinner table. Happy Holidays Everyone!
standing corrected Jscott; Are u sure it wasn't your daughter that took u to the Nomad tourney? When u make such a negative comment like; "Bruce's boy", You can't expect people to believe u were simply "silly". You are biased and stupid, admit it. Stay with the facts, like the 200 or so UCLA games u have seen. You haven't had time with all your high level coaching "Hee Hee" jobs. You are the joke of the boards. Ask your daughter. Or ask anyone , for that matter. BTW, Dumbest one, did u see the career records Zach Wells is going to break or has broken? How can u say that U17s are miles ahead of your era, and still think your era had better UCLA teams?
Haven't seen UCLA play this year, but did catch the Notre Dame-Michigan game today. Michigan fought back quickly to get an equalizer as the road team and withstood about fifty straight minutes of being on the defensive to get a PK shootout victory. Now it might just be a weak ND offense (was season ticket holder last year but not this year), but Michigan looked very strong defensively and have a goalkeeper with extremely quick reflexes. Maybe they were just "on" today, but they might be able to surprise a few people at this stage of the game.
Couldn't catch the UCLA-FIU match which the Bruins won, 2-0. As jscott23 stated, there were several big club tournaments in So. Cal this weekend (I was at Nike Harvest Cup @ UC Irvine), as well as several of the U.S. National Youth teams playing against ODP regional teams in Chula Vista. BTW, how did UCLA look against FIU? I really want to see the Hoosiers-Bruins matchup in Yeagley's final hurrah. I wouldn't be surprised to see him pull it off. Should be a great game.
UCLA looked very shaky in the first half- couldnt string any passes together what-so-ever... they picked it up a little bit in the second half... i was at the harvest cup too today, and my team won the tourney this morning... the timing worked out perfectly so that I still was able to catch the ucla game this afternoon
Funny you should mention it, soccergrly14, one of our teams won this morning as well, but I stayed to watch another one of our teams lose in PKs. Oh well. Right now, either because of injuries or just complacency, it doesn't sound like UCLA is running on all cylinders. Indiana is hot, and they're obviously on a mission for Coach Yeagley. Having Ty Maurin back Saturday will really help, but unlike many of the other posters, I have my doubts about this year's Bruins. PROVE ME WRONG !!!
I haven't seen UCLA play much the past several seasons except last year's NCAA Final Four on TV. But I've been watching them play since the early 80's (when Tim Harris was the goalkeeper) and I'd have to say Anton Nistl was the best goalkeeper I've ever seen play for UCLA. As a collegian he was a better goalie than even Brad Friedel. As others have stated Nistl was born at the wrong time for a soccer career in the US but he was an extremely talented keeper and I'd be very curious to find out what he is doing now. I have little doubt that if Nistl had stayed in pro soccer he would have been a US international.
Wow, lots of names thrown around here that I haven't heard since I came to UCLA in 1987 and my freshman year roommate walked onto the team. (You wouldn't have heard of him and I don't want to violate his privacy.) Anton Nistl was the keeper then, and you're right--I forgot about his tenure between Vanole and Friedel. He might be the guy who came in 41st place in this road race in May; Google is a wonderful thing. http://www.coolrunning.com/results/03/ma/May24_8thAnn_1_set1.shtml But I gotta say that the late 90's Bruin teams wouldn't hold a candle to the teams from my era. This team is looking almost UNC Women-dominant, but we've lost 4 or 5 players, and two just with this last FIU game. I'm starting to be a little concerned about our boys dropping like flies. If we take home the title again this year, then our depth is truly extraordinary. Has any one school taken both the men's and women's titles in the same year?
Re: Re: How good is UCLA In addition to MLS guys, recently, guys like Adam Cooper, Chadd Davis, Tim Pierce, Tom Poltl, Nick Theslof, and Shaun Tsakiris have had cups of coffee or played in the USL pro leagues. I also think this current team or even next year's team (depending on which players come in as Freshman) can get close to or exceed 11 MLS players and/or future pros. Looking at this year's seniors... John Carson - no Adolfo Gregorio - YES (MLS) Leo Griffin - YES (MLS) Dru Hoshimiya - YES (USL) Tony Lawson - YES (MLS - his speed will get him here, otherwise he's USL caliber). Ty Maurin - no Cliff McKinley - no Matt Taylor - YES (MLS - who thought Noonan would do what he did in MLS?) Zach Wells - YES (MLS - pedigree gets him on a squad, but will he ever play). Current underclassman that have a CHANCE... Chad Barrett Taylor Canel Trini Gomez Jordan Harvey (he's no better or worse than Futagaki) Patrick Ianni Aaron Lopez Kiel McClung Brandon Owens Eric Reed I see Barrett, Ianni, and Owens as locks to get "Steve Shak" type experience in MLS at worst. I'm being conservative here. Don't underestimate Lopez. He will also get drafted. He has been the work-horse in midfield of arguably (if they win again there is no arguement) the best team the past two years. He is no slouch. Canel and Gomez are very similar in style - and a style that reminds of Jorge Salcedo. Are they as good as Salcedo? Not now, that's for sure. Gomez is getting red-shirted so nobody knows what he is made of. Canel essentially (he actually came on for Mike Enfield who wasn't getting the job done) replaced an injured Lopez in midfield and did fine in an NCAA Round-of-16 game. McClung kept Owens on the bench - after Owens came back from the U17 World Cup. He has been a regular starter and key player all over the defensive third for UCLA. He - along with Ianni - reminds me of Kelly Gray. Of the current underclassman, only McClung, Harvey, Reed, Canel, and Gomez are reaches. Other than that I see 9 POTENTIAL MLS draft picks currently on the squad. The way Fitzgerald recruits - and if he stays at UCLA - he could accumulate better talent than Sigi did. And if he can win titles his players will get the chances in MLS that Sigi's players received.
bump Where does UCLAs team stand now? Do they still rank among the elite in college soccer history, or does this loss hurt their status?
Well, so much for that! For the record, I did say that for them to be considered among the all-time greats, they had to win it all this year. They didn't. Case closed.
This is why we have a playoff system! Otherwise the "experts' would just give out national championships to anyone they like. (See college football) I questioned UCLA's title credentials earlier in this thread and was scorned by the legion of know-it-alls here on BS. Well now, gentlemen a team from the WCC (without its two best players) is in the Final Four and Jerry Yeagley has a chance to go out on top, and I for one think its great. This year's Bruin team should not hang their heads though. They were a good team who couldn't overcome the injuries late in the year. I'm convinced that Fitzgerald will have them back in the hunt next year (and every year) because they are loaded with great college talent. I say college talent because I doubt we will see more than 4-5 players drafted by MLS this year, with even fewer sticking on rosters. Its not because these guys aren't good, its because the next level is very good. As I sat in the HDC several weeks ago and watched the MLS Cup final, I wondered how many players in college right now could play in this game today. Of the players I saw this year, the answer is none. All-time greatness is a quality that cannot be conferred until long after the fact, and who knows how this group will be measured until they all graduate and go on to better things. To quote John Wooden (roughly) "Don't judge me by how many games my teams win. Judge me by where my players are 20 years after graduation." lastword, I haven't been called punk for a few days now. I'm sure that you are just too busy touting this Maryland group as the best team in the history of the ACC. (Go on and read a bit more ancient history first) While you are at it, go read up on Chris Oswald, another goalie from "my era" (and former post-collegiate teammate, and remember there was no NASL or MLS for us) who I would put in Anton Nistl's class. Its amazing what you can still learn about the past if you're willing. Sandon, thanks for stirring the pot. It was a great "what if"! I hope you thaw out before next weekend.
response to jscott How is your newborn? I only really take exception to your observation regarding being at the HDC and wondering how many college players that you have seen this year could participate and you opined; none. That is why you will always be a puke and a punk. How many rookies were on the pitch? I would bet if you had seen Nate Jacqua, Damani Ralph, Jamil Walker and Todd Dunivant in college last year, you would have said the same thing: "None of them can play at the next level". All of these rookies from College teams played with the teams you saw @ the HDC. Have you seen boys play their senior year in high school and transition to the college game as D1 starters the next year? Probably not. They actually develop, grow, work, and get better in a natural progression. You will be proven the idiot punk u are when several of the players u saw this year will contribute in the MLS. Problem is, we don't know what to believe from u or if u have even seen a college game this year. U claim to have seen 150 plus UCLA games over the past 20 years or something like that. Not going to bother to look up your lies. Let's just say if you have seen 5 top 20 teams play this year, your assesment is not only wriong, it is stupid, just like you. Look at it this way: Your newborn cannot possibly compete at the U1 level in any competition, because he or she is only about 3-4 weeks old. Your logic and the methodology you use to evaluate talent suggests that he or she will not even be competing with the crawlers in 8 months, based on the skill you see right now. Get it, Punk? people progress, people develop, people rise to the level of competition. You really don't get it, do you. I really hope that you married way over your head and the other contributor to the Jscott gene pool is not a mutant punk like you. There, feel better now that you have been punked? BTW your WCC team that is headed to the college cup has class and did so without 2 key players. That does not support your idiotic claim re; Pac 10 vs WCC. I am just certain you always have eye boogers, crap in the corner of your mouth, and smell bad. Leave me alone.
Just fine, thanks! That was as well a crafted response as I've ever seen on these boards. "Mutant punk" and "eye boogers" in the same paragraph aught to win a Pulitzer at the very least. But at least your logic was flawless. I wish I could say the same about your reading comprhension. If you read my post, you will notice that I said, "of the players I saw this year,...." Unlike others here, I don't claim to have seen all the players in the nation this year (or even a large number), and yet I am sure that there are a handful of players who may be in MLS Cup 2004. I didn't see Damani Ralph play in college, but I heard he was great. I saw Dunivant, Jacqua and Walker and thought Dunivant was the real deal at Stanford. Ironically, he was benched through most of the playoffs. When I saw Brian Mullin play at Creighton several years ago, I thought he was the best college player at the time. I guess Sigi Schmid didn't agree. Does that make me smarter than Sigi? (No just slimmer) I've coached a number of players who have gone from HS to the D1 level to the pros, and I understand better than most how that development and progression works. I merely caution you to tread lightly when conferring greatness on players and teams who have done little to deserve such praise. If my opinions offend, too bad! Get a job, get a life, vote in the next election, and deal with the consequences. You haven't seen enough of the world to be considered by anyone here but an amusing sideshow. I noticed you shut your mouth when other posters pointed out your "youthful misconceptions". Do I feel punked, hardly. Do I feel better now that you've had another hissy fit on your keyboard,... a little! Have a happy holiday, Junior. Go Hoosiers!