UCLA men’s soccer is beset with injuries to key players at
the worst possible time.
No less than five players are injured or recovering from
injuries on the cusp of Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup
against No. 8 seed Indiana (14-3-5).
Sweeper Dru Hoshimiya is out for the rest of the season,
midfielder Aaron Lopez is questionable for Saturday, and
midfielders Ty Maurin, Ryan Valdez and defender Tony Lawson are
probable after sitting out last Saturday’s game against
Florida International.
Hoshimiya tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee
in the 2-0 win, Saturday. Lopez sprained his medial collateral
ligament in his left knee in that same game.
These injuries for the No. 1 seed Bruins (20-1-1), not
Saturday’s opponent, are the main consideration for coach Tom
Fitzgerald.
“I’m not as concerned about Indiana as I am about my
team. Injuries are more of a concern for us than anything,”
Fitzgerald said.
The concern seems to be well founded, as it is uncertain who
will start at sweeper with Hoshimiya out. Lawson, the starting
sweeper at the beginning of the season, is probable to play but
most likely not fit enough to start.
Candidates include freshman Patrick Ianni, who filled in for
Hoshimiya after his injury in the 60th minute against FIU, Lopez,
if healthy, and Lawson.
With all of the injuries and the uncertainty of who will start
in defense and midfield, Fitzgerald has prepared two to three
lineups depending on who can play.
“If Valdez and Lopez can’t play, we would go with
more experience in the back,” Fitzgerald said. “If they
are able to play, we can get by with less experience in the back,
and put more experience in the midfield.”
Another problem for the Bruins is the loss of defender Jordan
Harvey, who is playing for the U.S. Under-20 national team in the
World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates.
Unlike the injuries, this problem affects the Hoosiers more than
UCLA.
Hermann Award candidate and top scorer for Indiana, forward Ned
Grabavoy, and top defender Drew Moor are with Harvey and the
Under-20 national team.
Even though both teams had problems keeping their starting
lineups intact, it has not affected their records.
Indiana remains unbeaten in its last 15 games, while UCLA is
unbeaten in its last 19, making this a matchup of the two hottest
teams in the NCAA.
Despite the injury problems afflicting the team, the Bruins are
excited for the quarterfinal game.
“This week is going to be out of control. Both teams are
going to be so fired up,” forward Matt Taylor said.
“They’re a really well-coached team. They’re
going to be really well structured and organized.”