Jarom Jordan

I just read a great column from ESPN columnist, Bill Simmons on espn.com.  He explains why soccer is ready to capture the nation’s attention.  It’s a long article but a great read and the best part is the last question and answer.

Bill Simmons: Soccer is Ready to Capture Our Attention

Assistant Coach, Clay Christenson gives his weekly thoughts about the team on the blog known as “From the Box”.

After a tough weekend road trip, we’re all excited to return home for four of our remaining five games. Playing in front of a home crowd builds confidence for our players and we’ll need that as we prepare to play the best teams in the division over the next few weeks.
 
The Ogden Outlaws are a team that’s easy to get excited for because whenever you play an instate opponent you’re not only battling for points, but also for pride. I can guarantee that there’s not a hungrier team in the Premier Development League than BYU and even though we’re late in the season, our practices will continue to get more intense and the expectations will raise. As a staff, we’re still looking for players who can prove themselves each day at practice and those will be the players who get minutes on Saturday night. Because our roster is so large, every day players have an opportunity to break into the starting 11.

Jarom Jordan

FRESNO, California (June 24, 2010) — The Fresno Fuego beat the BYU Cougars, Thursday night on a penalty kick in the 67th minute.  The loss drops the Cougars to 2-6-2 on the season.

“It was another disappointing result,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.   “I’m really proud of our energy.  With all of these things happening, we’re not quitting.  We’ll keep working to try and make something happen.”

BYU lost its second game in a row, Thursday. (BYU Photo)

Fresno forward, Milton Blanco made a run at goal when BYU senior defender, KC Whitworth was called for a foul in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick.  Fabricio Codeceira buried the PK, just beyond the reach of goalkeeper, Bryan Black for the game-winner and team-leading fifth goal of the season.

The Cougars featured a new formation, playing with four midfielders in a box, instead of a triangle to try and neutralize the Fuego’s midfield connection.

“The new formation worked pretty well,” said junior goalkeeper, Bryan Black.  “We possessed the ball well.  Fresno is a physical team and has a good offensive attack.  They put the ball forward really well and attacked us.  I thought we played strong but they got that lucky penalty kick call at the end.  I was impressed with the way we played.  I just wish we had better results.”

Despite a big crowd and playing down a goal the Cougars had offensive chances throughout the game.  The best one came in the 88th minute off a corner kick.  Doug Clark hit a volley that popped up to KC Whitworth who struck the ball just wide of goal.

BYU plays the Lancaster Rattlers at Antelope Valley High School in Lancaster on Saturday, June 26 at 5 p.m. PT.

Starters:
GK-Bryan Black
D-Cameron Lamb, Tyler Christiansen (Doug Clark), KC Whitworth, Kip Critchlow
M-Pedro Vasconcelos, Britton Osborne, Matt Rider, Brent Jensen
F-BJ (Zach De Francis & Jantzen Romney), Brady Marshall (Blake Tillotson)

Jarom Jordan

VENTURA, California (June 5, 2010) — The BYU Cougars tied the 2009 Premier Development League champion, Ventura County Fusion,  0-0 at Buena High School on Saturday night.  It was BYU’s first shutout of the season and first scoreless tie since June 16, 2006.

“We played really well,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “It’s been a season where we’ve been working hard.  Tonight was no different.  Things came together pretty well for us.  To come so close on the road is a little heart breaking but I’m proud of our performance tonight.”

The Cougars took a point on the road from the 09' PDL Champions. (BYU Photo)

“It brought back a little bit of the memories of playing the U21 Mexican national team,” said assistant coach, Chad Sackett.  “Everyone from the bench players to the starters played hard.  We possessed the ball well.  Soccer’s a funny game.  The fact that it ends up 0-0 is a good result for us.”

Despite multiple runs at goal throughout the 90 minutes, BYU’s best scoring chance came on the final play of the game.  Three minutes into stoppage time the Cougars took a corner kick that found the feet of freshman midfielder, Pedro Vasconcelos.  The Brazilian curled the ball into the upper right corner of the goal, only to see Ventura goalkeeper, Bryan Hill get a pinky on the ball, bouncing it off the crossbar and out.  The Cougars were out shot 8-6 and out cornered 4-3 but put continued pressure on the defending champs.

“You look back and it’s a good result for us on the road,” said senior midfielder, Brent Jensen.  “It’s a little unfortunate because we had chances to win it.  It was a fun game to play in.  We look forward to playing them again and getting a win at our place.”

The Fusion’s best opportunity was in the 30th minute when a long throw-in was flicked to the far post where league leading goal scorer and former Chivas USA forward, Brent Whitfield headed the ball on frame.  Bryan Black made the save and ended up securing his first shutout of the season and sixth of his career.

“Hopefully this provides a great stepping stone for us forward,” said Watkins.

BYU will have a week off before preparing for the Southern California Seahorses on Friday, June 18 in Provo.

Starters (Substitutions):
GK: Bryan Black
D: KC Whitworth, Drew Van Wagenen, Tyler Christiansen, Cameron Lamb
M: Brent Jensen, Matt Rider, Pedro Vasconcelos
F: BJ Pugmire (Blake Tillotson), Brady Marshall, Toni Niccoli (Zach De Francis)

Cautions:
Ventura-Armando Guerrero (Y)
Ventura-Arthur Aghasyan (Y)

Notes:
-Regular starters Brit Osborne (injured quad) and James Bindrup (married yesterday) did not start
-Pedro Vasconcelos made his first career start
-The Cougars started two freshman in the midfield (Vasconcelos & Rider) who played together at East High School in Salt Lake City
-BYU gave up four goals at Ventura in 2009 and two goals at home (in a tie) but posted a shutout in the first meeting of 2010

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!

If you want to attend the popular BYU soccer camps (girls or boys) there are spots available but they fill pretty fast.  Click on this link to find more information and/or register.

Soccer Camp Registration/Info

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

Thursday night was the first of several cuts. The players played some more 8v8 then ran some intense shuttles. You could tell who had ran them before because several of the current team paced themselves and excelled later rather than peaked early.

Let me at least tell you this: Kip Critchlow is fast.

Tomorrow morning’s tryout is bright and early at 6 a.m. Luckily I just show up at the end of it!

Listen to an audio interview with goal keeper, Bryan Black. He says some fun stuff about the competition in tryouts this year and the easier conditioning at the end of today’s tryouts.

Sophomore, Doug Clark looks to attack at tryouts this afternoon.

Goal Keeper, Bryan Black (in blue on the left) paces himself to make a Usain Bolt-like sprint to the finish.

Chris Watkins and the BYU coaching staff have the "fun" task of getting 99 participants trying out down to 21 (plus the incoming freshman already signed) by Saturday night.

Thursday afternoon's tryout was held on the RB Turf Field.

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

Listen to an audio interview with assistant coach, Chad Sackett.

PROVO, Utah (Feb. 25, 2010) — Day one of the morning portion of open tryouts concluded for the BYU men’s soccer team in the Indoor Practice Facility on campus. The tryout featured 99 players from 14 different states and four countries who competed from 6-9 a.m. this morning.

Players attended tryouts from 6-9 a.m. this morning in the Indoor Practice Facility on campus.

The players scrimmaged 8v8 most of the morning session. The first cuts will be posted after tryouts tonight from 4-6 p.m. at the RB Turf Field.

“It went pretty well,” said assistant coach, Chad Sackett. “In the morning tryout we are usually looking for guys that we kind of know aren’t going to make it. It’s tricky too because we want to get a good look at the guys we want to keep but we also want to cut it down to games that are a little more manageable.

“It’s surprising each year I’ve been involved, how much better the players are.”

The team will select 21 players to begin practice on Monday in preparation for the Premier Development League season. That does not include incoming freshman who will join the team following high school graduation this summer.

Today
4-6 p.m. (Richards Building Turf)

Friday, Feb. 26
6-9 a.m. (Indoor Practice Facility)
4-6 p.m. (Richards Building Turf)

Saturday, Feb. 27
4-6 p.m. (Richards Building Turf)
10 p.m.-12 a.m. (Indoor Practice Facility)

Stay posted to www.byusoccer.com for the latest from tryouts and other team news.

The roster will be finalized Saturday night and posted on the team blog soon thereafter.