UCLA men’s soccer (6-5-5, 3-4-3 Big Ten) has little time left before traveling to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, for its first-ever Big Ten tournament kicking off on Nov. 7. The Daily Bruin Sports men’s soccer beat writers deliver their takes on the team’s biggest surprises and those most underused players as the regular season comes to a close.

Connor Dullinger
Assistant Sports editor

Six games into the 2024 season, sophomore defender Philip Naef was essentially invisible.

The Copenhagen, Denmark, local not only failed to record a single goal or assist through the stretch, but only played more than 41 minutes once and did not appear at all against then-No. 11 Loyola Marymount and then-No. 14 Northwestern early in the season.

The last seven games could not have been more different.

Naef has contributed an assist in six of the last nine affairs leading to his designation as team-leader in assists with six goal contributions. The sophomore has made a living on the right side of the pitch taking players one-on-one and sliding the ball across the center of the 18-yard box.

Working alongside the offensive-minded duo of freshman defender Shakir Nixon and senior defender Pablo Grenlee has allowed Naef to push far up the pitch and attack the endline, ultimately leading to Bruins scoring.

After a freshman campaign where Naef appeared in 10 games and tallied just three shots, it was not expected for him to contribute immensely to the offensive success of the program.

But, collegiate sports are built for surprises, and Naef might be the biggest for the Bruins.

A player I want to see more from: Tamir Ratoviz

Despite being tabbed as a player I want to see more from, in no way do I consider Tamir Ratoviz’s regular season freshman campaign disappointing.

While the freshman midfielder has scored just two goals and notched three assists so far this season, the production has come when the lights are the brightest including a goal and an assist in UCLA’s 2-0 win over then-No. 8 Portland as well as the game-tying goal in its 1-1 draw against then-No. 6 Maryland.

Although Ratoviz has shown flashes of what his true potential could be, particularly when the stakes are high, he has seen inconsistent playing time throughout the season. The Los Angeles local has appeared in 15 of the Bruins’ 16 games this season, but has seen a wide array of minutes – reaching at least 30 in 12 of his appearances but yet to appear for more than 60 minutes in any affair this season.

In a midfield populated by junior Tarun Karumanchi and graduate student Edrey Caceres, there are not a lot of open minutes for the true freshman, but there is no denying his offensive prowess and the scoring potential he adds to the program.

Ratoviz is the present and the future for the Bruins, and there exists no world where he shouldn’t have a consistent spot on the pitch.

Felicia Keller
Daily Bruin senior staff

My expectations are always low for freshmen, especially freshmen forwards.

It takes a certain amount of connection to start producing on the scoresheet – not to mention, contribute to the offense off it.

And Artem Vovk didn’t make his first start, let alone play any minutes, in the season until the ninth game of the year against Westmont.

But once he did, he was able to form those combinations with his teammates, ultimately leading to his two goals this season – including one against Penn State in a 2-2 draw. The Rivne, Ukraine, local has played 274 minutes this season, and he has been trusted by coach Ryan Jorden in important moments.

Vovk has created attacking opportunities through his play. He picked up a critical assist against then-No. 2 Ohio State, sending the ball off the crossbar from over 25-yards out before it fell to goal scorer redshirt senior forward Jose Contell.

Vovk has impressed in the second half of the season, and has high potential for even more growth over his Bruin career.

A Player I Want to See More From: Tre Wright

As we found out in his freshman campaign, sophomore defender Tre Wright offers great versatility on the wings, able to play both as an outside back and as a winger pushing the opposing team’s defense.

He featured off the bench more and more as last season went on and appeared primed for a bigger role in 2024. Overall, with 195 minutes in 13 games last season, Wright recorded three shots often coming in as a late game burst of energy.

But this season, he’s played just 50 minutes across two games.

I believe Wright can feature in a similar fashion to Naef, driving the ball toward the goal line, taking on defenders one-on-one and sending crosses into the 18-yard box.

There’s plenty of winger talent on this team that Wright has to compete with in practice for playing time, but as an upperclassman next year, I want him to take the step forward I expected from him this season.

Dylan Winward
Daily Bruin senior staff

While Jorden is a master of rotation, there is one position group that has been constant all season.

As of late, Jorden has utilized a five-back defensive line with the likes of freshman Allan Legaspi, graduate student Youri Senden and team captain Pietro Grassi making up the middle of the defense, while graduate student defender Nicholas Cavallo has started every game at left back, and a rotation for the fifth and final spot exists between Greenlee and Nixon.

In fact, so routine has Legaspi’s selection been that he has started 10 – and featured in 13 – of the Bruins’ 16 games this season.

What makes it even more remarkable, given the experience his counterparts have in college soccer, is that Legaspi is a freshman – especially considering that Jorden has not traditionally favored freshmen players.

However, even though he is relatively inexperienced, Legaspi has slotted in so naturally that he seems like he has been on the team for years, with writers often forgetting his first-year status.

The freshman has made himself indispensable in the center of defense, complimenting Grassi’s assured style on the board as well as knowing the right moments to show aggression. What makes it even more remarkable is that he has shown discipline beyond his years, recording no yellow cards thus far this season.

Keeping Legaspi fit has got to be key to the next couple years of Bruin soccer.

A Player I Want to See More From: Cam Wilkerson

For the last two seasons, everyone has wondered whether it is finally going to be junior midfielder Cam Wilkerson’s year.

2024 seemed like a promising contender, with Wilkerson starting the Bruins first four games and playing 78 minutes in the first, a 2-0 victory over then-No. 11 Loyola Marymount. Wilkerson came into the season building off the momentum of a promising 2023, scoring three goals and registering one assist while also featuring in every game his sophomore year.

However, for a player often positioned at the attacking end of the Bruins midfield, his end product has not been where it should be.

With just the one assist this far into the season, Wilkerson – who has featured in 12 games – has got to be hoping for more. While most know that he’s capable of a moment of magic, making space with a trick in midfield or playing an ambitious Hollywood through ball, it’s time for him to finally deliver.

After all, it’s hard to make the excuse that a player who will soon be a senior is still developing and trying to reach his full potential. Wilkerson will be hoping he can finish the season stronger.

Sam Mulick
Daily Bruin senior staff

Nixon put his name on the map Aug. 30 against then-No.8 Portland when he served a pass with the outside of his foot to create the Bruins’ opening goal of the game. Since then, the Cerritos, California local hasn’t looked back.

Jorden has given the freshman defender and LAFC academy graduate the platform to perform this season – playing him in all 16 of UCLA’s games. Whenever the Bruins need an offensive burst, Nixon is driving up the right sideline delivering crosses with startling accuracy and perfect pace – ultimately amounting to his three assists this season.

Whenever the Bruins need a sense of calmness, his ball retention plays them out of difficult situations. And whenever the team is threatened, he’s making a tackle to win the ball back before the opposing team can advance into UCLA’s half.

Nixon’s ability to possess the ball and make an unexpected touch into the opponent’s offensive third is nothing short of elite, proving that his future in Westwood is beyond bright.

A Player I Want to See More From: Edrey Caceres

Caceres has not had a lackluster season by any means.

However, his potential does not match his output.

The graduate student midfielder came out with a bang in the Bruins’ first game of the season, netting two free kick goals in a win over then-No. 11 Loyola Marymount. He also scored one of the most important goals of the season in a win against then-No. 2 Ohio State.

But, if the Marquette transfer matched the potential he displayed in the Bruins inaugural game of the season, he would be one of the best players in the country.

Caceres’ ability to create, along with his prowess of striking the ball, make him one of the Bruins’ most dynamic offensive threats. With more consistency, Caceres can double his goal and assist output for the season, which stand at five and two respectively, and make defenses pay him the respect he deserves.

Chloe Agas
Daily Bruin reporter

Sophomore goalkeeper Wyatt Nelson’s passion is eminent in his frustration.

This is particularly evident when the Bruins concede goals that weren’t supposed to even slip past the gates in the first place.

From starting eight matches as a freshman to starting in 10 as a sophomore, Nelson tallied 31 saves – 10 more than the previous year. Nelson also starred in UCLA’s clash against Rutgers, recording 8 saves in the 3-0 victory.

Whenever the Bruins are caught sleeping defensively, Nelson’s reflexes are there to shut down any attempts from their opponents. He has also played the full 90 minutes across all matches he has started in this season, demonstrating his consistency – especially against top-ranked opponents in the Big Ten.

The potential for Nelson is endless, and he has a lot more to prove going forward.

A Player I Want to See More From: Andre Ochoa

I usually have higher expectations for upperclassmen players, especially if they’re forwards.

Senior forward Andre Ochoa had a promising 2023 season. Having scored four goals and being one of four Bruins to appear in every match last season, the Anaheim local had already nurtured high expectations heading into his final season.

This season, Ochoa has played 1,223 minutes and has started in 15 of the Bruins 16 contests this season. However, despite all this playing time, Ochoa has notched just a single goal.

Throughout the 2024 campaign, Ochoa has had numerous scoring opportunities, but has struggled to find the back of the net.

Despite several instances where Ochoa has created chances it feels as if he has become an invisible force on offense.

Only time will tell if we will see a spark as the Bruins head into the postseason.