Men's Soccer Notebook

Champs to visit White House

The 2002 NCAA Champion UCLA men’s soccer team will go to
the White House Feb. 21, where they will be honored by President
George W. Bush.

“With all of the crazy things going on the world, the
president still makes time for us,” junior forward John
Carson said. “I’m honored.”

The Bruins will be one of four teams honored at the White
House’s 2002 NCAA Fall Sports Championship Day.

Ohio State (football champions), Portland (women’s soccer)
and USC (women’s volleyball) will also be there.

“Anytime you get to see the president, it’s
important,” UCLA head coach Tom Fitzgerald said.

Bruins abroad

Bruins Adolfo Gregorio and Scot Thompson played on the U.S.
Under-23 National Team at the Vale do Tejo International Tournament
last week in Portugal.

Gregorio, a junior midfielder, scored a goal in the semifinal
win over Russia, 1-1 (4-1 in penalty kicks).

The U.S. team lost to Portugal in the final 1-1 (4-2 in penalty
kicks).

“It was an excellent trip for us,” U.S. U-23 head
coach Glenn Myernick said in a statement. “We had a lot of
young players who took a great opportunity, rose to the occasion to
represent the United States, and gave us a chance to win a very
good tournament.”

Thompson, a senior defender, was drafted by the Los Angeles
Galaxy in the MLS Superdraft earlier this month.

Unofficial practices begin

Though official practices have not yet begun and the NCAA
championship game was just last month, several Bruins have been
practicing for next season.

“Everybody’s preparing for next year,” Carson
said. “We know what we did, and we know we can do it
again.”

Official practices begin Feb. 11.

“They’re very dedicated to winning,”
Fitzgerald said. “To be the best they can be, they have to go
out there on their own.

“I still think about the championship daily,” Carson
said. “It’s what we had strived for all year, and
I’ll remember it forever.”

Notes compiled by Gilbert Quiñonez, Daily Bruin Senior
Staff