“On the Pitch” is a series of web articles from BYU players.  This week senior defender, Tyler Christiansen shares his thoughts.

Christiansen leaps to deflect a cross against the U21 Mexican national team on May 12, 2010. (BYU Photo)

My name is Tyler Christiansen. I am a centerback defender going into my fourth season as a member of the BYU soccer team. I chose BYU over other soccer programs for many reasons. There is no other program in the country that can offer what this one can. From a competitive standpoint I’ve been able to play against teams like the MLS champs Real Salt Lake, and the Olympic teams from Mexico and Fiji. We practice and play in facilities that are second to none. But perhaps the biggest draw for me was to be part of a group of such outstanding guys who represent much more than a soccer team. Another reason I chose BYU was because as part of the offer, Coach Watkins guaranteed me a spot after returning from my mission.

I served my mission in the beautiful Andes of Peru. It was the greatest experience I could have asked for (until I married my beautiful wife, Mackenzie). I learned to serve selflessly, work diligently and that the most important service you can do for others is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. My best memories as a member of this team have also been by providing service while representing our team, including a humanitarian trip to Nicaragua.

This time of year is definitely not the most glamorous time to be a college athlete, but its the time that can really define a player and a team. The coaches have outlined off-season workouts for all the players who were on our fall team and have left it up to us to do it. Between school and work it can be hard to find the time everyday to get out in the cold and run or strike a bag of balls, but we do it because we want to be a better team.

I really feel optimistic about next season for several reasons. First of all we had a great fall season, really dominating our competition. Another positive has been our early morning free-play sessions. The number of guys coming out in the mornings has been excellent compared to years past. I do not envy the job of our coaches come tryouts in February. We had 32 players on our fall roster, and have at least 7 return missionaries who will have guaranteed spots. From that very talented group of players the final roster will be closer to 20 guys. That fact is creating some great competition and really pushing everyone.

For my part I am extremely excited about our 2011 PDL season and what we can achieve as a team. As the returning leader for our defense I am very committed to help us become one of the top defenses in the league this season. We didn’t allow a single goal this fall season when our starters were on the field which is a good sign. Clay Christenson is our defensive coach and he has very high expectations of us as well. With that being said our biggest problem last year was finding the back of the net. We know it will take lots of work to be consistently effective on offense but we have the talent to do it.Tweet

PROVO, Utah (July 8, 2010) — Hollywood overpowered BYU, Thursday night en route to a 3-1 victory against the Cougars.  Hollywood (8-2-2) extends its winning streak to seven games while BYU (3-8-2) ensures itself of a sub-.500 season.

“I am a little disappointed we gave up three goals,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “We had a decent chance in the second half.  I thought our game plan was pretty good. Giving up that first goal in the first half was pretty tough.  Our only goal in the first half was to keep zero on the board.  We were hoping to win this game, 1-0.  We had to open up the game a little more.  We got one but the game plan didn’t work out perfectly.”

Tyler Christiansen scored his first goal as a Cougar, Thursday night. (BYU Photo)

The Hitmen’s leading scorer, Jaime Chavez scored his eighth goal of the season in the 39th minute on a short cross inside the six-yard box from Oscar Sims to open the scoring.  The Hitmen added a second goal in the 72nd minute via substitute Esaul Mendoza on a pass from Jaime Chavez.  It appeared that Chavez hit the ball with his hand but no call was made.

Down 2-0, the Cougars did make it interesting in the 79th minute off a corner kick from Britton Osborne.  The ball hit Hollywood goalkeeper, Jose Miranda in the hands, bounced free to Kip Critchlow who tapped it at goal, deflected off a Hollywood defender, and Tyler Christiansen put it away for his first career goal as a Cougar to make it 2-1.

Three minutes later in the 82nd, BYU defender, Drew Van Wagenen was called for a foul on Jaime Chavez in the penalty area that Rene Corona scored down the middle on the penalty kick to put it away, 3-1.

“Our guys know we’re playing good teams,” said Watkins.  “They know we’re playing fairly well.  So to their credit they keep their heads up and keep working hard which is really an impressive quality and I hope really provides us with a good finish to our season.”

BYU plays 2009 Premier Development League Champion, Ventura County Fusion on Saturday at 8 p.m. MT in Provo.  The game will be broadcast, tape delayed on BYUtv and www.byutv.org/live at 10 p.m. MT.

Scoring Summary
39′   Hollywood: Jaime Chavez (Oscar Sims)
72′   Hollywood: Esaul Mendoza (Jaime Chavez)
79′   BYU: Tyler Christiansen (Kip Critchlow)
82′   Hollywood: Rene Corona (PK)

Postgame Notes
-Freshman defender, Junior Lartey played his first game as a Cougar
-Tyler Christiansen scored his first career goal
-Kip Critchlow leads the Cougars with four assists
-Brady Marshall was slated to start but hurt his ankle yesterday and Zach De Francis got his first start of the year
-Pedro Vasconcelos suffered a mild MCL sprain and is doubtful for Saturday
-BYU is now 1-7-1 when the opponent scores first and 1-6-1 when trailing at the half
-The Cougars are now mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and guaranteed a losing recordTweet

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Jarom Jordan

Click Here for Complete Game Notes (PDF)

PROVO, Utah (July 6, 2010) — BYU plays its toughest pair of home games this season when it hosts the Hollywood United Hitmen Thursday, July 8 and Ventura County Fusion on Saturday, July 10 in Provo.  Both matches kickoff at 8 p.m. MT.  The Hitmen won the Premier Development League’s Southwest Division in 2009 and the Fusion won the PDL Championship last season.  BYUtv will broadcast both matches with Thursday’s live at 8 p.m. MT and Saturday’s tape delayed at 10 p.m. MT.  Catch both online at www.byutv.org/live.

“It’s going to take a humongous effort from us,” said BYU head coach, Chris Watkins.  “Both teams have tons of great players … We can play with great teams.  We have to play our very best.  We can do it but it takes a massive effort.”

BYU plays last year's Division and National Champions this week. (BYU Photo)

The Cougars snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Ogden Outlaws on July 3.  BYU scored a single-game season-high three goals, including two from junior forward, Brady Marshall.  The Cougars had scored eight goals in 11 games prior to the outburst versus the Outlaws.  BYU has four games remaining and is 3-7-2 with 11 points and in eighth place in the Southwest Division.  If BYU wins its remaining four games it will finish with a .500 record.  Toni Niccoli, Britton Osborne, and Marshall lead the team with three goals each.

“I think our scoring slump, while it may not be over, we’re getting better and better with our attacking players,” said Watkins.  “I’d be surprised if we get shutout this weekend.”

With some help and two wins, BYU could ascend to fifth place in the division by Saturday night.  The Cougars are not mathematically eliminated from the PDL playoffs (top two teams in the division qualify) but hope hangs by a string with the Cougars need to win its final four and get some major help.  The Cougars earned a win and tie out of this home stand in 2009.

Hollywood is 7-2-2, on a 6-game win streak, and in second place.  The Hitmen can climb to first with a pair of wins this weekend against BYU and Ogden.  The Hitmen are led by forward, Jaime Chavez who has seven goals and five assists this year.  BYU is 1-2 versus the Hitmen all-time with a 1-0 win in Provo in 2009 and a 3-0 loss on June 3 on the road.

The defending national champion, Ventura County Fusion is a point behind the Hitmen with 22 at 7-3-1 in the division.  The Fusion is led by former MLS player, Brent Whitfield who has seven goals in six games but he will not travel to Utah this weekend.  Five other players have scored two this year.  BYU is 0-1-2 with two ties in the last two meetings, including a 0-0 draw on June 5.

“I think we’ve found that confidence again,” said junior defender, Tyler Christiansen.  “That win against Ogden was good for us.  It’s really easy to get into that mode, the ball doesn’t bounce your way, to get real pessimistic real quick.  I think we’ve bounced that back.  We have a great chance to finish with a .500 record and in the middle of the table.  We still have a lot to play for.”

QUICK FACTS
Who: Hollywood United Hitmen vs. BYU Cougars
When: Thursday, July 8 at 8 p.m. MT
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah
TV: Live on BYUtv or www.byutv.org/live (Jarom Jordan, Hugh Van Wagenen, Aaron Nilsson)

Who: Ventura County Fusion vs. BYU Cougars
When: Saturday, July 10 at 8 p.m. MT
Where: The Stadium at South Field in Provo, Utah
TV: Tape delayed on BYUtv or www.byutv.org/live (Jarom Jordan, Hugh Van Wagenen, Aaron Nilsson)

PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
After winning seven club national championships, Brigham Young University joined the Premier Development League in 2003. The Cougars reached the elite eight in 2006 and 2007. The PDL is the top U23 men’s league in North America and features 68 teams within four conferences across the United States and Canada. The PDL season consists of 16 regular season matches for each team, eight home and eight away. The PDL provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. BYU is the first and only university to own a franchise in the PDL. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League has proven to be an important stepping stone for top professionals now playing around the world.

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

Junior forward, BJ Pugmire drops some of his writing skills on the blog with his weekly look at the different aspects of the BYU soccer program.

As most kids do, Tyler Christiansen, a junior defender for the Cougars, grew up playing basketball, baseball and soccer. Unlike most kids, Christiansen dedicated himself to soccer at the young age of eight.

Christiansen said his father was the most influential figure is his sports career.

“My dad served his mission in Argentina in 1978 when they hosted the World Cup,” Christiansen said. “He fell in love with the game there, and we have pretty much been a soccer family ever sense.”

Being a soccer family, the Christiansen’s were excited when the U.S. hosted the 1994 World Cup. Tyler and his father were attended three matches and that’s when Tyler decided he loved soccer more than any other sport.

In junior high, Tyler’s family moved to Salt Lake City where he attended high school. Christiansen claims that he never planned on attending BYU during high school, but after an email written by his father to coach Watkins, the Cougars started to show interest in the defender.

Coach saw me play at the Far West Regional tournament,” Christiansen said. “I later received an email from him stating he wanted me to attend camps, so I did. I committed at the beginning of my senior year.”

Christiansen said his he has grown a lot as a result of attending BYU.

“I never had to fight for playing time before I attended BYU,” Christiansen said. “I have had to come to grips with coming off the bench and try and make a difference, but it has made a better player as a result.”

Christiansen said he will pursue soccer as long and as far as possible.  As of now he enjoys spending time with his wife and high school sweetheart Mackenzie, wakeboarding and coaching his Celtic Storm soccer team.  With the World Cup just on June 11 I asked Christiansen who he thought would win.

“Of course I wan the U.S. to win, but my money is on Argentina,” he said.

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