After last season's debacle, I thought the Bruins deserved a restart by initializing a new thread for 2016! New Signing Class Announced as per this link: http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArtic...14&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=210684794 Curiously - highly regarded U17 National Team GK Kevin Silva wasn't included ?? Go Bruins
PDA Academy website does not show Silva signing with anybody yesterday as the PDA site listed 10 players signing with colleges. Maybe turning pro? or maybe looking for a closer destination for College? If the later, he will have LOTS of suitors that's for sure Notre Dame still stained with their 2013 NC Tman
Some admissions requirements remain to be completed. Don't be surprised if Silva isn't rostered by the summer and in goal as the starter by the Fall.
Indeed. The NCAA regulations increased the standards as from this year. For example GPA must be above 2.3. Between 2.3 and 2 you are red shirt freshman. And you must satisfy the associated SAT or ACT results. For example for a GPA of 2.3, you must get 900 at the SAT. Which means for example 450 critical reading and 450 mathematics. Which might be steep for some kids. And let's not forget the 16 core course requirements. Hereafter the link to a clear summary of the new requirements: http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Important_New_Rules/2016_DI_Academic_Requirements.pdf
Getting some of these kids eligible just took a harder turn for UCLA, Jorge lost his two assistant coaches to Portland. Nick was a workhorse for Jorge and several recruits can thank him for going the extra mile to get some of these kids eligible to play. Not Jorge's strong points, but only time will tell.
Word on the street is Jorge is getting close to an assistant coach hire. After losing both Carlin-Voight and Griffin to Portland in January, I'm hearing the following guys are in the mix: Brad Freidel Mike Erush (LMU assistant) and Yossi Raz (current HC at Cal Poly Pomona)
Nathan Smith leaves UCLA to sign with Galaxy, My phone won't post the link but was all over twitter and on the LA Galaxy Website.
Nathan Smith logged a full 90 with Galaxy 2 and put in a solid performance last night. Glad to see the kid is doing well
Good for Nathan. But one has to question the wisdom of forgoing the quintessence of a four year degree from UCLA to play USL Pro 1. (Especially with only a year left to complete his degree requirements) It's not like he's playing under a somewhat lucrative GA contract and the money and guarantees associated with those. Talk about putting all of one's Easter eggs in one basket. (Sorry couldn't resist!) Hope he sees the wisdom in this and returns to UCLA complete his degree requirements.
I would totally agree, however i heard he is still in school and Galaxy is paying for the remaining term of his education. The question would be why not? He has nothing to lose considering LA Galaxy right back issues now. Waiting a year puts him in no better position and without a solid GK at UCLA it is a bigger uncertainty of a deep NCAA run.
Don't forget that Nathan is a galaxy homegrown player. The mls super draft doesn't improve nathans position as a homegrown player with LA. USL 1 is were he would be starting mostly anyway. The USL does allow the galaxy to sign talent early as needed and there are no limitations as to the terms of the deal, salary and guarantees. Especially if if it is a position of need. I have heard The galaxy have wanted to sign him since his freshman year and my guess is they made him an offer to good to refuse.
Why not he's in the same town and will have plenty of down time to continue taking classes. Instead of spring ball and Galaxy PDL during the summer he'll be playing at a more competitive level with more continuity. Money is probably close to a wash.
Some great News! Looks Like the Bruins are getting a New Soccer Specific Facility! http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=210881243
Kevin Silva is finally in the Bruin fold! http://www.uclabruins.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&SPID=126914&SPSID=813811
1-1 draw with maryland to start the season. Looked like a 4-1-4-1 formation with romero the lone striker and adekoya at left mid instead of striker. Is this a new formation for the season or just a one-off for the large field at stubhub center? No danaladi... is he out injured? Cervantes and romero look overweight. Iloski, hernandez, and yueill all looked good but couldn't finish. Iloski had some chances to shoot in and around the box but laid it off instead. New guy reggie cannon looked lively.
nothing he could do about it. total defensive breakdown by a longball put iloski in behind who set up romero for a tap-in. 769581651273789440 is not a valid tweet id
Was asking about the Maryland goal and not UCLA. Some video was posted later and it was a howler. In fairness, their keeper was the player of the game against Fullerton. Made a couple of nice saves to keep them in the game. BTW - that is a nice highlight to show people that still think college soccer is played like it was 20 years ago.
I liked the announcer's soccerbabble - " Bruins playing their trademark possession ... Here's a long ball in front..." which led immediately to the goal.
UCLA drops a heartbreaker to unranked Duke 0-1 nullifying a stellar game by GK Juan Cervantes. Duke's lone goal was a beautiful strike from distance in the 87m. Iloski missed a PK that Yuell drew early in the second half. Bruins have gone approximately 285 min without scoring in the run of play. Abu Dunladi still hasn't seen the pitch this season curiously.
I'm curious as well. There doesn't seem to be a lot of info that I've heard. Also didn't see any familiar faces from UCLA at CSF game (other than Schmidt) so I have no idea. Any idea if he's been practicing. If so, I'm completely speculating it is possible that he might be suspended for getting some improper benefits and/or played unauthorized completion while trialing with professional teams over the summer.
I hope that's not the case but considering Coach Salcedo took a very long time to replace two of his assistants that departed, not having those four eyes to keep track of player activity in the offseason wasn't ideal.