It’s a position that some players just aren’t used
to.
They play on the biggest stage, in front of thousands of
screaming fans, with USA gear draped from head to toe. And yet when
they come back home, these same U.S. National Team players find
themselves on the bench.
That’s what it feels like to be Greg Folk and Mike Zaher,
two freshmen on the UCLA men’s soccer team.
UCLA has a program that receives some of the top recruiting
classes every year, but for players like Folk and Zaher, who boast
National Team experience on their resumes, a starting position
isn’t necessarily guaranteed.
“It’s always difficult to get everyone playing time
that deserves it and thinks they deserve it,” coach Jorge
Salcedo said. “There are always top players here. It’s
a balancing act.
“It’s what they do in practice and during games.
It’s not up to me, it’s up to them. They
decide.”
UCLA’s current roster consists of 13 players with National
Team experience. With only 11 starting positions available and 28
capable athletes vying for them, players find themselves jostling
for playing time every practice.
Among the players trying to eek out minutes this year are Folk
and Zaher, who have played in just four and seven games,
respectively. Both are highly touted freshman defenders who are
spending most of their time on the bench because of the
talent-laden squad.
“We’re like a factory of National Team
players,” Zaher said. “Expecting to play over the best
players in the country, which are on my team, I knew I had to be
ready to accept my role on the bench.”
Zaher and Folk’s experience has been a typical one for
National Team members playing for the Bruins in recent years.
Junior defender Jordan Harvey, who has played on the Under-20
National Team, worked his way into the regular starting lineup this
year after not seeing any playing time in seven games last year.
And senior Mike Enfield has emerged as the team’s leading
scorer, despite starting only six games in 2003. Understanding how
the current starters went through similar experiences has made it
easier for Zaher and Folk to accept their current roles.
“When I get my opportunity, big or small, I have the
mentality to make the best of it like any other player on this
team,” Zaher said.
Instead of burrowing their heads in sorrow, both players
continue to prepare themselves in hopes of getting that opportunity
to prove themselves.
It’s been a waiting game for those like Zaher and Folk. As
the No. 7 Bruins look to capture their third consecutive conference
title, many of the players continue to wait, hoping to make an
impact on the team’s postseason run.
“I came in with the attitude I was not going to start, and
getting used to it is still difficult,” Folk said.
“Hopefully it’ll change pretty soon.
“It happens to a lot of players, and we just have to work
harder and see what happens.”
In Salcedo’s mind, many of these players could have easily
opted to attend another school and receive more playing time. But
if these players are to make it to the next level, Salcedo believes
it is better for them to gain the experience they are currently
undergoing.
“It’s a learning experience because if you go on to
the professional level, you have a better chance because you will
already be used to having to fight for a starting position,”
Salcedo said.
“That mentality is long-lasting.”
Although Salcedo has the tough task of determining which
National Team players deserve playing time, he’d rather have
this predicament than the ones other coaches are stuck with.
“It’s a nice problem to have,” Salcedo said.
“No coach in the country would not want to have to solve this
problem.”