Squad looks forward to season with new coach

By Vytas Mazeika
Daily Bruin Senior Staff

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. “”mdash; For the UCLA men’s soccer team,
there will be a new system, new practices and, of course, a new
head coach.

The Tom Fitzgerald era ended its first spring season Friday with
a 1-0 win at UC Riverside (recap online) and changes were evident
on the field.

Since joining the team nearly a month ago, Fitzgerald has
concentrated on teaching and the tactical aspects of the game
during practice ““ a departure from the more physical regimen
endured during Todd Saldaña’s tenure.

Once the team reconvenes in August, it will have only a couple
of weeks before play begins. Therefore it is important for everyone
to learn Fitzgerald’s team defense and team offense concepts
now.

Against UCR, the Bruins played a strong possession game,
controlling most of the action. That was a sign that the players
had begun to get acclimated with their new coach.

“The first couple of games we kind of were getting into a
new coaching style,” junior midfielder Ryan Futagaki said.
“But after we went over in practice a couple of times what he
wanted us to do, it made more sense.”

Sophomore defenders and Under-20 national team members Alex Yi
and Nelson Akwari have left for the pro ranks, forcing at least a
temporary change from last year’s 3-5-2
(defense-midfielder-forward) formation into a 4-4-2 to add an extra
body to the backline.

Leonard Griffin will take over on the left side while at the
moment Scot Thompson and Aaron Lopez will roam the middle. Tony
Lawson has stood out during the spring and will be in charge of the
right side.

Midfielder Brandon Kay is the only starting senior who
won’t return in the fall, keeping the team’s offensive
nucleus together.

A large recruiting class may force some changes, but as the team
gets ready to split up for the summer, it is very comfortable with
the 4-4-2.

“That’s really our best system right now, and if I
had to guess right now, I would say we’d probably end up
playing that system next year,” Fitzgerald said.

On a personal level, the players describe Fitzgerald as someone
who carries himself with a very calm demeanor. His positive
attitude has allowed everyone to feel at ease during the transition
process.

“I think he’s great,” sophomore midfielder
Adolfo Gregorio said. “I think he’s going to be really
good for this program. He treats us more as professionals and I
feel it’s a good environment to train in.”

With spring soccer over and done with, Fitzgerald can now take
in some sun, take a deep breath and begin to think about fall 2002
““ his first season at the helm of UCLA.

“I absolutely love it here,” Fitzgerald said.
“I like all the guys. I really can’t wait to get up in
the morning to get to training.”