We made it to Spring! That means, post-practice on a sunny day you’ll be able to see shirtless Sterling Hancock and Dallin Cutler knocking the ball around (ladies, that’s about 10am, Monday through Friday).

The perfect weather almost makes the team trip to Costa Rica May 4-14 a bit bittersweet… okay, not at all, it’s just sweet. The team trip will take us around the country to visit beaches, eat great food, explore jungles and volcanoes, freshen up on Spanish pick-up lines and, oh yeah, play soccer. On the ten day trip we’ll play some of the top professional teams in Costa Rica, including the powerhouse Saprissa, but our international trips are usually remembered for strengthening team bonding through gypsy curses and trickery(Chile) and Jon Junca’s girlish screams of terror with frog encounters(Fiji AND Puerto Rico). I’m sure there will be some more frogs “hopping” into Jon’s bag in Costa Rica. Pictures will be sure to follow, we’ll even try and post some videos on our Facebook page.

Before we leave, though, we need everyone to send us off by attending our final game before we get back. THIS Saturday, April 28, we’ll be playing Mesa State, from Colorado at South Field at 7pm. Mesa State is a scholarship NCAA program and it should be a good game.

After we get back from Costa Rica, we’re all looking forward to our chance to go head-to-head with the former MLS Champion and CONCACAF Champions League finalist Real Salt Lake on May 19 at South Field. This is an incredible opportunity for players and fans. After a two-year break since the last game between our two clubs, we’ll be looking for some long-awaited revenge for the 3-1 loss Real gave us during their last visit.Tweet

Can you believe the Premier Development League regular season begins next Saturday for BYU?  The Cougars will face the Orange County Blue Star on the road in the first contest of the 16-game regular season.  The Cougars were one spot out of the playoffs last season and are working hard to get back into it.  The playoff format changed from three teams back to two from each division this season so it will be that much more competitive.  BYU has a nice collection of veterans, returned missionaries, newcomers, and incoming freshman.

I’m really excited to see it all gel on the field.  The team feels it has gathered some momentum from the spring exhibition contests against the likes of Mesa St., UNLV, Real Salt Lake, and Weber State to start the season strong.

After the Cougars first PDL game, they’ll play the U-21 Mexican national team the next Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m. in Provo.  That game is huge.  Their players are professionals in Mexico, could play in the Olympics in two years, and even the World Cup in four years for Mexico.  They are quite talented.  If you can’t make it to the game ($10 reserved, $6 general admission), watch it on BYUtv or online at www.byu.tv.

It’s always fun to see the great games BYU lines up.  It awesome to play in the PDL but to add teams in the past couple of years to the schedule like Real Salt Lake, Fiji, Coventry City, and the U-21 Mexican national team is impressive.  Don’t miss out!Tweet

Jarom Jordan
Media Relations Director
jarom.jordan@byu.edu

Friday morning the men and women’s soccer teams went down to Vegas at noon together in snowy weather. I did not make the trip due to two men’s volleyball broadcasts in Provo but it would have been fun to hang out in 70 degree weather!

The women play UNLV at 9 a.m. and the men play the Rebels at 11 a.m. Last year BYU lost 3-0 to UNLV.

Listen to my conversation with junior forward, Brady Marshall this morning before he left on the bus with the team.

Junior forward, Brady Marshall likes BYU's new 4-3-3 formation. (BYU Photo)

Jarom Jordan
Media Relations Director
jarom.jordan@byu.edu

PROVO, Utah (March 26, 2010) — The BYU men’s soccer team will head south on I-15 this weekend to play the UNLV Rebels in Las Vegas in preparation for the Premier League Development season on Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m. pacific time.

The game will be played at Johan Soccer Stadium.  Admission is free.  The BYU women’s team will also play UNLV, at 9 a.m.

The Cougars defeated Mesa State twice last Saturday in Grand Junction, Colorado in the team’s first pre-season games.  The Cougars won the first game 3-0 on goals from BJ Pugmire (‘13), Zach DeFrancis (‘16), and Brady Marshall (‘56).  In the second game the Cougars won 2-1.

“It was a good chance for us to try some new things out,” said coach, Chris Watkins.  ”We are excited to measure our progress again this week.  Last week we were able to keep the ball pretty well with only three midfielders.  We’ll see how we do against a little better competition.  It’s early but we are training well.”

PREVIEWING THE COUGARS
The Cougars begin the PDL regular season May 8 at the Orange County Blue Star before returning to Provo for its first home against the Los Angeles Legends on May 21.

2009 REVIEW
BYU finished 7-5-4 overall, in fourth position in the division and just one spot out of the playoffs. Despite some major injuries the Cougars defeated Southwest Division champion, Hollywood Hitmen, 1-0 and tied eventual PDL champ, Ventura County 2-2. Seven starters return this season, including goal keeper, Bryan Black, veteran defenders, KC Whitworth and Drew VanWagenen, and forwards Zach DeFrancis, Brady Marshall, and BJ Pugmire. The Cougars lost seven players to graduation, including All-PDL Western Conference Honorable Mention, Richie Bindrup.

FOLLOW THE COUGARS ONLINE
Check out the Cougars on twitter at www.twitter.com/byusoccer or on the official website at www.byusoccer.com.

QUICK FACTS
Who: Brigham Young University vs. University of Nevada-Las Vegas
When: Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m. MT
Where: Johan Soccer Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada

Senior defender, KC Whitworth and the Cougars will play UNLV in a pre-season game Saturday at 11 a.m.