The 2004 University of Portland men’s soccer team hopes to shine under the newly constructed lights at Harry A. Merlo Field, and ultimately earn their fourth-straight berth to the NCAA Playoffs. The Pilots kickoff the season hosting the Nike Invitational on Sept. 4-6, facing Sacramento State and UAB; and on Sept. 15 Portland will break new ground by playing its first-ever night game. The Pilots will take on Northwest rival Washington at 7:00 p.m. on a well-lit field, the newest addition in the Clive Charles Soccer Complex plan. The complex is named in honor of legendary head coach Clive Charles, who passed away just prior to the 2003 soccer season after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Long-time Charles’ assistant coach Bill Irwin was promoted to Director of Soccer last season and will have a seasoned squad on the pitch in 2004. Irwin returns eight starters from his 2003 team, including leading scorers Alejandro Salazar (10g, 1a) and Christopher Sanders (8g, 2a). An experienced back line of four starting defenders, anchored by senior Paul Robinson, will be one of the team’s biggest strengths. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Luis Robles continually improved during his first year between the pipes and was a wall in postseason play.
Expectations are high for the Pilots as they were picked No. 24 in the College Soccer News preseason national top 30 rankings, but Portland will have to overcome the graduation of seven valuable seniors and the sudden departure of Josh Simpson. The Pilots who were anticipating Simpson would have a stellar senior season as Portland’s primary playmaker in the midfield, but the announcement came in early August that Simpson had signed a two-year contract with Millwall FC of the English League Championship, becoming the fourth Pilot in history to play professional soccer in England. Simpson was one of the key offensive threats for Portland and coming off of an impressive showing at the Under-20 World Youth Championships, which eventually led to a stint with the Canadian World Cup Team, where he caught the eye of Millwall.
“I knew Josh was pro-caliber and the time would come, but I was still hoping to get one last season out of him,” Irwin said. “Josh had a great opportunity come up and decided to take advantage of it right now. He is just another Pilot great who will don a pro jersey and we wish him the best of luck.”
Despite the loss of nine players from his 2003 team, Irwin is left with many options after announcing an incoming class of six true freshmen, three transfers and three players coming off of redshirts, not to mention the return of eight starters.
“We will not substitute a lot,” Irwin said. “That has never been our philosophy and this year will be no different. Everyone is coming into preseason trying to earn a starting spot, and we will put the best 11 players on the field. We have a lot of guys who can play a variety of positions, which gives us depth across the board, now we just have to find the right mix to make it work.”
FORWARDS
Junior Alejandro Salazar is the reigning WCC Player of the Year after leading the conference in scoring with 10 goals and an assist in 2003. Salazar was a target of defenses last season, yet still managed to find the back of the net often, despite getting off just 29 shot attempts. The Portland, Ore. native put 24-of-his-29 shot attempts on goal, showing his knack for putting himself in opportune situations and capitalizing.
“Alejandro is a great scorer,” noted Irwin of the College Soccer News preseason first team All-American. “He has improved each year and we expect the same again this season.”
Sophomore Christopher Sanders had an impressive freshman campaign as the WCC’s third leading goal-scorer with eight strikes, and his four game-winners tied for the conference lead. He played well in pressure situations all season, showcased by his goal in the first round NCAA win over Oregon State on the road. Sanders’ tall frame at 6-2, and his athleticism give him an advantage up front.
“Chris had a good freshman season and should build on that this year,” said Irwin. “He’s a big, strong attacker, who is very mobile for his size.”
Junior Patrick Mooney has been an important offensive contributor off the Pilot bench the last two seasons. Mooney played in 19 games last year, and tied for the team lead with four assists. He set up three game-winning goals, including the go-ahead strike against Oregon State, sending Portland to the second round of the NCAA Playoffs. Described as a “very confident and aggressive striker” by Irwin, Mooney will battle for a starting spot.
Freshman Joe Taylor rounds out the core of Pilot attackers. Taylor is a decorated player who traveled to Chile last spring with the Region IV ODP team, and has proven scoring ability at the regional level. At Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., Taylor recorded 62 career goals and 45 assists. Taylor will also compete for an attacking midfield spot.
MIDFIELDERS
With Simpson forgoing his senior season and the graduation of Mario Picarelli, Erik Cronkrite and Jarrod Weis, Portland’s biggest question mark will be in the midfield. The center midfield position is an area that has been vacated by Picarelli, but Irwin states that “there are enough people that play multiple positions to address that need.”
Junior Sean Babcock started 17 games for the Pilots last season, recording a goal and three assists. Babcock is described by Irwin as a “very good midfield player, who is versatile and always works hard.”
Sophomore Bobak Talebi made five starts and 12 appearances last season, recording an assist in a 2-0 win over South Carolina. Talebi is a wide midfielder who has the talent to be in the starting rotation.
Redshirt freshmen Eric Fredback and Kevin Thornton have a year of practice under their belts and are ready to step in and battle for some playing time. Fredback is the tallest player on Portland’s roster at 6-4 and is coming off of a successful spring season. Thornton also had a very good spring and Irwin expects him to battle for a spot as either an attacking or center midfielder.
Junior Tor Southard has seen limited action to this point, but is expected to compete for time as a defensive or center midfielder. “Tor has not had many minutes to show his stuff in the past, but he has improved each year and we will look for him to take a step forward,” Irwin noted.
Five of Portland’s newest roster additions are midfielders and will try to crack the starting rotation. Omid Aldaghi is a junior transfer from Saint Mary’s College who played in 29 games for the Gaels. Aldaghi was a regional team player throughout high school and was named the Arizona Player of the Year and a 2002 NSCAA All-American. Freshman Matthew Dallman joins the Pilot roster after a redshirt season at Chico State. Dallman, who is from Hood River, Ore., was a second team all-state selection from Hood River Valley High School. Both transfers were injured during the spring and will give the coaching staff their first look in preseason practice.
Freshmen Jeff Griffin and Paul Arnautoff are both left-footed players who will battle for a spot on the left side or as a left back defender. Griffin played club soccer for the Sereno Golden Eagles out of Phoenix, Ariz., winning three-straight Arizona National Cup Championships. Arnautoff, a native of San Francisco, Calif., was the team captain and MVP for St. Ignatius Prep the past two seasons. He also had a successful club career with the Ruckus Soccer Club, winning three Super Y League Championships and advancing to the regional club championship.
DEFENDERS
Portland’s defense will have the deepest and most experienced talent pool that the coaching staff has to choose from. The Pilots return all four starting defenders, anchored by senior central defender Paul Robinson, an honorable mention all-WCC selection last season. Robinson is a two-year starter and was named the Husky Fever Classic Defensive MVP last year.
“Paul is our team captain and brings lots of experience to our defense,” noted Irwin. “He will be our leader and keep everyone in line back there.”
Junior Josh Brown is another returning starter who stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Robinson as a central defender. Brown started in 13 contests as a sophomore and continually improved as the season progressed. His biggest moment came in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs, when he went coast-to-coast and put home the game-winning goal, the first of his career.
“Josh came along very well last season,” said Irwin. “He is very athletic, dominant in the air and is good with his feet.”
The outside back positions are in good hands with juniors Miguel Guante and Heath Pearce. Both have been two-year starters and have earned all-WCC status each of the last two seasons. Guante will settle into the right back role where he managed to score a goal and distribute three assists last season. The left-footed Pearce will take on left back responsibilities, and may also shift to a wide midfield position if needed.
“Both players are very talented and skillful,” said Irwin. “We will look for both to get forward and create attacking opportunities.”
Freshman Michael Gavin can play either outside back position and Irwin is impressed by the Scottsdale, Ariz. native. “Michael is athletic and wants to absorb as much knowledge as possible,” noted Irwin. “He will battle for a spot on the field and he is talented enough to earn some playing time.” Gavin was a member of the Sereno Golden Eagles club team that won three regional titles and reached the national championship in 2003.
Redshirt junior Brian Cotlove has battled injuries throughout his career and looks to maintain his health and crack the rotation this season. Cotlove played in four games last year for Portland. Junior Alex Darbut and redshirt sophomore transfer Drew Arenth will add depth to the Pilot defense. Arenth was a starter for Humboldt State in 2002 and practiced with the Pilots all of last season.
GOALKEEPERS
Redshirt sophomore Luis Robles started all 20 matches last season, recording five shutouts and a 1.16 goals-against average. Robles came into his own down the stretch and played very well in Portland’s two postseason contests against Oregon State and Washington. He was named an honorable mention all-WCC keeper and is the favorite to start out of the gates.
Pushing Robles will be three new additions to the Pilot roster. Redshirt sophomore John Fastabend, a native of Astoria, Ore., earned a spot on the team after playing with the Cascade Surge of the Premier Development League in 2002.
Incoming freshmen Kellen Patterson and Nick Comstock are also capable net minders. Patterson attended Mount Si High School in Fall City, Wash., earning second team all-Kingco League honors as a senior. Comstock was a teammate of fellow Pilot Eric Fredback at Timberline High School in Boise, Idaho. Comstock helped Timberline to the Idaho State Championship as a sophomore and earned all-conference honors the last two seasons.
SCHEDULE
The 2004 schedule will pit Portland taking on all six West Coast Conference opponents twice, for a new home and away format. Last year, the Pilots were joined in the NCAA Playoffs by fellow WCC schools Santa Clara, San Diego and Loyola Marymount. Santa Clara advanced to the College Cup semifinals, while San Diego and Loyola Marymount were seeded and earned first round byes.
“I’m very much in favor of the new conference schedule format,” Irwin stated. “The WCC is one of the toughest conferences in the country, and to get an opportunity to play each school at their respective home fields will make it even more competitive. Anybody can beat each other on a given day and the new format will better prepare all of our schools for the postseason.”
The result of the scheduling change leaves eight non-conference games available to play, and the Pilots have some match-ups with some top-tier soccer programs. Among the non-conference competition will be three schools that appeared in the 2003 NCAA Playoffs – Washington, Akron and California.
