SB Nation User Blog: makenji

Kyle Nakazawa & Brian Perk Nominated for Soccer News Player of the Year

makenji — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:09:52 -0000

Kyle Nakazawa & Brian Perk Nominated for Soccer News Player of the Year

Both seniors have been nominated for the award. Online voting will be 40% of the vote. So make sure to vote!!

Rematch with UCSB & Nick Rimando wins MLS Cup MVP

makenji — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:30:13 -0000

Penta.

I remember in the build up to the 98 and 02 world cups that's the only word I would hear family and friends saying. They wanted to see Brasil take home that fifth championship. When it happened in 02 we couldn't wait to get that jersey with the 5th star above the crest. Now the NCAA Mens tournament has got underway and once again the only word I am thinking of is penta. Sure our jerseys look nice with the two stars on each side of the adidas logo, but I want to see how they fit that fifth one on there. I want Salcedo to make me look like a fool for ever doubting him. We are already pass the first two rounds thanks to a goal by Chandler Hoffman against Sacramento State and now face UCSB. This will be a rematch on the 2006 final in which UCSB edged us out for the championship. I am sure the seniors who played in that game will be extra motivated to avenge that loss. This should be a great match. The game will be played at Drake this Sunday, anyone in the area should definitely make plans to check it out. I want the penta.

In other soccer news, the MLS Cup was played last weekend and while you may only heard about David Beckham this and David Beckham that, the player who walked away with the Cup MVP was Bruin Nick Rimando, the goalkeeper for Real Salt Lake (Yes I know its a terrible team name). Nick led his team though penalty shootouts in both the conference semi-finals and the cup final to help them to their first cup. His championship and MVP were well deserved and he cemented his reputation as a money goalkeeper when the pressure is on. Congrats to Nick on his accomplishments.

Congrats to Brad Friedel On His 200th Consecutive EPL Start

makenji — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:02:28 -0000

Congrats to Brad Friedel On His 200th Consecutive EPL Start

You may or may not know, but the current record for consecutive starts in the English Premier League, one of the top leagues in the world, is none other than Bruin Brad Friedel. Brad broke the former mark of 167 continous games last season and just reached the 200 mark. It looks like a Bruin is going to hold this record for some time. Always awesome to see Bruins setting records especially ones in a league like the EPL.

UC Merced names student-athlete award after Bruin Cobi Jones

makenji — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:55:50 -0000

UC Merced names student-athlete award after Bruin Cobi Jones

UC Merced could not have selected a better individual in my biased eyes to name their award after. Cobi was an example of what a student athlete should be. His classiness on and off the pitch is something that has always made me proud he is a Bruin.

Shout out to the Bruins on the USMNT

makenji — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:32:06 -0000

The US men national team is one again stepping closer to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and once again former Bruins are playing a significant role. The team is captained by former Bruin Carlos Bocanegra. The team came away with an important point in El Salvador after another former Bruin Frankie Hejduk tied it up late. Congrats and thanks for continuing to make us pround guys. Let's keep it up against Trinidad & Tobago this week...

Bruins playing in tomorrows US v England friendly

makenji — Tue, 27 May 2008 23:58:02 -0000

Bruins playing in tomorrows US v England friendly

For those planning to take a long lunch tomorrow at noon and head over to a nearby pub and turn on the England v US friendly at Wembley here are Bruins on the roster for the game: Carlos Bocanegra, Eddie Lewis & Frankie Hejduk. Benny Feilhaber was initially on the roster, but due to injury will not be playing. Best of luck to all of them tomorrow, I will be cheering them on!

Three Bruins selected in MLS SuperDraft

makenji — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:35:12 -0000

Although most the posts here are mostly about basketball and football I am very passionate about soccer. You may not know it, but UCLA has the best soccer program in the country. We have won 4 national championships and continue to contend for the championship every year. We have developed some of the most recognized names in American soccer such as Cobi Jones, Frankie Hejduk and Benny Feilhaber. We have produced more #1 picks for the SuperDraft and had more players selected for MLS teams than any other school. The roster of MLS and USL teams have Bruins spotted all across them. Today in the MLS SuperDraft we continued this tradition of being the best university for developing American soccer talent as three Bruins were selected.

Pick #1 Chance Myers D (pictured at top), selected by Kansas City Wizards.

Pick #3 Anthony Beltran M/D, selected by Real Salt Lake

Pick #30 Mike Zaher D, selected by Toronto F.C.

Chance Myers' stock had skyrocketed after his impressive week at the MLS combine. It will be interesting to see how Kansas City uses Myers. If you have seen any of our games this last year you know he has great quickness and could be used in the mid field as well. He reminds many people of another famous Bruin, Frankie Hejduk.

Tony Beltran was a starter for the U-20 US team and had a strong showing in last years U-20 World Cup. He will make an instant impact for Real Salt Lake

Mike Zaher is a solid player who is underrated. He is going into a good situation in Toronto, a club that has great fan support.

All three were all Pac-10 last season.

Congrats and good luck in MLS.