UCLA men’s soccer is making a name for itself as a strong program that sends its athletes to the professional ranks.
Two former Bruins who have stayed on this side of the Atlantic to play for Major League Soccer teams are Jonathan Bornstein and Marvell Wynne. Bornstein plays for Chivas USA, and Wynne is a member of Toronto FC.
Both players have had success in the MLS and credit their alma mater for helping them reach their goals. Bornstein played for UCLA his junior and senior years, and Wynne played as a Bruin for two falls and one winter.
Both Wynne and Bornstein cite the strength of the men’s soccer program as getting them ready for the MLS.
“(UCLA) did a very good job of preparing me,” Bornstein said. “The types of practice and the training are top of the line. They instill the type of work ethic you need to succeed.”
Wynne said he feels that the program helped him improve the way he viewed the game.
“I was taught how to see the field and to use my natural ability,” the defender said. “It allowed me to play with and against a variety of players with different styles of play and to adjust my game.
“The most important thing I learned is that there is no sure thing in soccer.”
Besides the program itself, both players cited coach Jorge Salcedo as a large reason for their success.
“I told him the situation and that I wanted into the MLS draft,” Bornstein said. “He put me in touch with an agent and he helped me get set up. He was also a great coach while I was at UCLA.”
Wynne also mentioned his positive relationship with Salcedo.
“He talked to me on a one-to-one basis telling me what to do to make the team,” Wynne said. “It was a good environment for me to grow. There was pressure, but (it was) a good amount to make me stronger.”
Both players had numerous highlights in their college careers. Wynne said his first 6 a.m. training session was his most memorable moment as a Bruin.
Bornstein, who began his collegiate career at Cal Poly Pomona, looked back on his senior year in 2005 as his favorite highlight, when the Bruins went an entire season without giving up a goal at home.
Wynne was the first pick overall in the 2006 MLS Super Draft. Since then, the son of a former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder has found success at the professional level. Wynne played for the New York Red Bulls last year and was traded to Toronto this year. He earned a starting role for both teams and is known as one of the fastest players in the league.
Bornstein immediately made an impact in 2006 with Chivas USA, winning honors as the rookie of the year. It was Chivas coach Bob Bradley who switched Bornstein to defense. Bornstein went on to play for the U.S. National team coached by Bradley, earning his first cap in January.
In that first match, the former Bruin scored the winning goal against Denmark and went on to play for the United States in the Copa America tournament.