So far this season, the road has been unkind to the UCLA men’s soccer team. The Bruins have struggled to keep up momentum and get crucial wins away from Drake Stadium. This weekend they are looking to change that.
The Bruins (5-5-2, 1-1-1 Pac-10) will take on Oregon State (4-7-0 , 1-2-0) tonight in Corvallis, Ore., and Washington (5-5-2, 0-2-1) on Sunday in Seattle, Wash.
The Bruins will attempt to right ship after starting the season 1-5-2 away from home.
“Our expectations are the same as they always are when we go on the road,” coach Jorge Salcedo said. “This year we haven’t had a lot of success on the road. We had a tight game up in San Francisco. Obviously we’ve had some losses on the road, and we need to try and resolve some of the issues we have on the road.”
This weekend will also showcase the talents of the starting lineup that Salcedo envisioned at the start of the season.
“Most people don’t know but last Sunday was the first day we had our full team available to us,” Salcedo said. “It was actually the starting line-up we envisioned going into the season. It is one of our stronger lineups. Obviously with Maxwell Griffin coming off the bench, it gives us some firepower off the bench. Here we are 12 games into it and we’re able to field one of our strongest teams, if not our strongest team.”
Additionally, the Bruins will be playing without any major injuries for the first time this season.
“There’s always guys that, just from the season and the daily grind of training and games, for whom it is going to take a toll,” Salcedo said. “Some of the guys are knocked up, but I wouldn’t say to the point where they can’t play.”
After the shutouts last weekend against Stanford and then No. 16 Cal, the Bruins are looking to keep their defense in top shape, leaving the opportunity for the win up to the offense.
“Hopefully we can have another solid defense weekend,” defender Greg Folk said. “We obviously want to get two good results this weekend. Playing at Oregon State and Washington are two tough places.”
Goalie Brian Perk is up for the challenge.
“I feel confident,” Perk said. “The two (games) last week give me confidence going into the weekend playing Oregon State and Washington. We’re on the rise and it just seems like we’re going in the right direction.”
While the road games may seem daunting, Perk believes they improve his play.
“I actually enjoy playing my position a little better,” Perk said. “The fans are coming after you, and it makes you focus on the game a little more. You have to drown out everything around you. When you’re at home you think it’s good to be here and you’re excited, but when you’re on the road you are completely focused on the game.”
While the defense has been strong, the offense hopes to kick into gear and take control, something Salcedo has been waiting to see.
“I’m looking for our two forwards, David Estrada and Kyle Nakazawa, and Griffin when he plays, to come on and hopefully put the finishing touches to what we’re doing,” Salcedo said. “I think what we’ll do in the game is possess the ball well and make the other team chase the ball. Those three guys will be the ones we look to to take advantage of the scoring opportunities.”