Whether it is the field, the fans or an intangible energy at
Drake Stadium, the No. 9 UCLA men’s soccer team has made it
nearly impossible for any visiting team to come to Westwood, put
their feet up, and get comfortable.
The Bruins (8-3-2, 3-1-1 Pac-10) have dominated at home this
season, having yet to lose a home game.
Even though they sometimes struggle with putting points on the
board, the Bruins have not allowed a single goal at a home game
this year, which is a source of great pride for them.
“I think that not allowing any goals is a tribute to the
way we’ve defended as a team,” coach Jorge Salcedo
said. “That’s something we’re going to try to
keep intact this weekend ““ (to) not allow any goals for every
home game.”
Salcedo is pleased with his team’s performance at home
this season. He attributes the success to a combination of multiple
factors.
“Our field is in very good condition, and (it) has been
taken care of the whole year nicely. It’s a wide field,
it’s a fast field,” Salcedo said.
“There are a lot of factors that make the guys feel
comfortable, and in sports, a lot of confidence comes from feeling
comfortable with your own surroundings.”
The Bruins have undoubtedly been playing with confidence lately,
allowing just one goal defensively in over 790 minutes.
The one exception came about 390 game minutes ago, when the
Bruins were playing away from Drake Stadium.
“I think probably one of the main things is just the
atmosphere ““ just being at home, playing in front of your
fans, friends and family,” junior defender Brandon Owens
said.
“It just gives you that extra boost of energy.”
That energy has given the Bruin defense the ability to shut out
all opponents who have visited Drake this year.
According to the players, the atmosphere created by UCLA fans
helps the Bruins defend their turf and make sure no team can come
in and get the best of them.
“When you’re at home, you’re around your fans,
this is your place ““ no one comes into your place and runs
you,” sophomore defender Marvell Wynne said.
“You run the game. You run the team. And you predict
what’s going to happen.”
Although the Bruins have limited visiting teams this year, their
success at home is nothing new. Their all-time record at Drake
Stadium is 40-7-2 since 2000, when they first began playing home
games there.
“If you look at UCLA’s overall record at home,
it’s extraordinary,” Salcedo said.