Hejduk may not be back in fall for men’s soccer

Hejduk may not be back in fall for men’s soccer

Top defender aims to focus on future as part of U.S. Olympic
team

By Tim Costner

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Despite its appearance in last season’s Final Four, the UCLA
men’s soccer team is likely to lose would-be starters Frankie
Hejduk and Joe Christie from next year’s roster.

As juniors, Hejduk and Christie both had key roles for the
Bruins last season, but will probably decide to leave the team due
to other interests.

Hejduk ­ who earned All-American honors as a defender last
season ­ will focus on making the U.S. Olympic team, the next
necessary step for his development as a player. Hejduk will attend
an Olympic camp this Monday in Portland, Ore.

"Obviously we would have liked to see him finish up," UCLA head
coach Sigi Schmid said. "It would have made things better for us,
but you’ve got to go when the time is right for you to go. Your
first two years in college are a time for a big improvement for
most players and often the third year is as well. But once you get
to a certain stage, I don’t know if college can help you
improve."

For Christie ­ a walk-on who led the Bruins in assists last
year ­ leaving the team will allow him more time to focus on
academics. Though he started nearly every game last season,
Christie was not on scholarship.

* * *

To help fill the gaps for next season, the Bruins have recently
signed All-CIF midfielders Thomas Poltl and Seth George to national
letters of intent.

"Tom Poltl can play as a forward and he can also play as a right
fullback as well," Schmid said. "He helps solidify us on that side
with Joe Christie not returning and with Frankie’s situation. He’ll
give us some depth on that side."

Poltl scored nine goals and notched 10 assists last season at
San Marcos High School before being moved to the sweeper position.
Over his career, he has scored 20 goals and 18 assists. Currently,
Poltl is in his second year with the Olympic Development Program
and is on the district, state and regional teams.

"There are a lot of people returning, but I think Seth and Tom
will contribute," Schmid said. "There is the old adage that it
takes somebody a couple of years to help you. I don’t really
believe in that. You can either help as a freshman or you can’t. If
they have to play, I know they can play Division I ball and be
successful at this level."

George will be the third Bruin from Santa Margarita High School,
and comes to UCLA with nearly every record from his alma mater. He
currently holds the single-season records in points (53 in 1994 to
lead all Orange County players), goals (24 in 1994) and assists (19
in 1995). George also holds the career record in all three
categories. George was named the Orange County Offensive MVP in
1995.

* * *

Former UCLA All-American Jorge Salcedo is set to get his first
start on the U.S. National Team on April 23, though he was supposed
to start in the team’s last game against Uruguay.

"He was actually supposed to start the last game but he got sick
right before," Schmid said. "I think it’s good that he’s starting.
Jorge deserves an opportunity there. The thing you always try to do
as a coach is make sure the players are ready at the next level. I
felt Jorge always was. I think it’s interesting that they are
looking at him as a central defender, which is where he played to
finish up his career here."

In the game that Salcedo missed, UCLA forward Ante Razov ­
who has led the Bruins in scoring for the past two seasons ­
got his first international cap.

* * *

The Bruins will have a different look next year, since the team
had to switch from Adidas to Reebok in order to conform to UCLA’s
other teams.

"Our contract with Adidas expired, and it’s a difficult change,"
Schmid said. "We’ve been with Adidas for 14 years and have had the
longest relationship with any individual supplier. Now the school
has gone to Reebok, so we have to go to Reebok."