The UCLA men’s soccer team added depth to its
roster last week, signing goalkeeper Brian Perk and forward Anthony
Beltran to national letters of intent. “We are
very excited to add two more quality players to an already terrific
recruiting class,†UCLA coach Jorge Salcedo said.
“We expect both of them to have an immediate
impact on our team.†Beltran is transferring to UCLA
from St. John’s University where last season as
a freshman he scored two goals and recorded three assists in 21
games, of which only 10 were starts. The soon-to-be sophomore hails
from Claremont and attended Claremont High School where his play
earned him MVP honors on both his team and in the league. He was a
starter for the US Under-18 National Team at the 2005 Milk Cup,
playing alongside future UCLA teammates Sal Zizzo, Jason Leopoldo
and Greg Folk. The three Bruins and Beltran led the US Under-18
National Team to the Milk Cup Title. “Anthony is
a very good player on both sides of the ball,†Salcedo
said. “His quickness and ability to make passes
will make our midfield more dynamic.†Perk played with
the US Under-17 National Team, but has now progressed to the
Under-18. The goalkeeper from Rancho Santa Margarita was a member
of the 2005 Under-17 World Championship Team and received
NSCAA/adidas Boys Youth All-America honors in 2005.
“Brian is a well-rounded goalkeeper,â€
Salcedo said of the incoming freshman. “He is a
fierce competitor and will push our goalkeepers every
day.†The addition of the two standouts to the incoming
class brings the total number of recruits to 12. The Bruins lost
several key contributors from last year’s team
to graduation and the MLS, including Marvell Wynne, Jonathan
Bornstein, Patrick Ianni and Jordan Harvey. However, Salcedo is
confident that the incoming class will help the team make the
transition between the seasons with less difficulty.
“Losing key players to our 2005 team will be
difficult to overcome, but I feel very confident that several of
these players will step in and help us have a very successful
season,†Salcedo said.
SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED: The Bruins also announced
next year’s regular-season schedule last week.
UCLA is scheduled to face off against nine teams that participated
in the 2005 NCAA Tournament, including national powerhouses
defending-champion Maryland, Virginia and national runner-up New
Mexico. The Bruins open the season with four straight games against
teams that made the Round of 16. “Once again, we
have perhaps one of the toughest schedules in the
country,†Salcedo said.
“We’re looking forward to the
challenge and we’re hopeful that this will
prepare us for a competitive Pac-10 season and a good postseason
run.â€
MLS DOMINATION: Earlier this month a total of
22 former UCLA soccer players made 2006 MLS opening-day rosters.
That number brought UCLA’s all-time total of MLS
players to a national-best of 46 in the league’s
11-year history. Of those 22, 11 earned starting spots, including
rookies Wynne, who was the first overall pick, and Bornstein.