Canadian Men in Can/US Colleges

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tyler Rosenlund Named Big West Co-Player of the Week

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Tyler Rosenlund was directly involved in both Gaucho goals in the win over the Anteaters last week. (Photo by David Hull)

http://ucsbgauchos.collegesports.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/111405aad.html

Nov. 14, 2005

The sophomore midfielder scored the game-winner against UC Irvine and chipped in with an assist on the Gauchos' second goal in a critical 2-0 victory over the Anteaters last week.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - No. 14 UC Santa Barbara sophomore midfielder Tyler Rosenlund was named the Big West Conference Co-Player of the Week today after scoring the game-winner and adding an assist in the Gauchos' contest with UC Irvine Saturday. Rosenlund shares the award with Irvine's Brad Evans.

The Port Coquitlam, B.C. native netted his second game-winning goal of the season and fourth overall when he chipped the ball over the Anteater goalkeeper in the 47th minute to put UCSB on top for good 1-0. Later in the contest, Rosenlund helped put the game out of reach for UCI, when he sent a curling cross to a charging Jonathan Davis on the backpost, who knocked down the pass and scored in the 87th minute for the final 2-0 score.

This is Rosenlund's first career Player of the Week award and marks the third time a Gaucho has received the honor this season. Senior forward Ivan Becerra won the award after netting two goals against UC Riverside September 18, while freshman forward Eric Avila was recognized after scoring the golden-goal and assisting on the game-winner in Gaucho wins over UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton two weeks ago.

The Canadian Youth National Team star was also named the Macy's/ucsbgauchos.com Athlete of the Week for his efforts.

Rosenlund and the Gauchos kick off post season play this Saturday, November 19 when they host San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at 1:00 p.m. in Harder Stadium.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Here's some old news that I think may have been missed and the reason I'm posting it is to follow the player former CMNT coach Holger Osieck said would be one to watch. Another "protege" of Holger, Atiba Hutchinson, hasn't fared too badly in his short career.

McLeod Receives MAAC Men's Soccer Rookie Of The Year
Eleven Stags Collect All-MAAC Honors
Nov. 10, 2005
http://fairfieldstags.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/111005aaa.html

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Kerr McLeod earned MAAC Rookie Of The Year

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Eleven Fairfield University men's soccer players garnered awards from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference as the annual honors were announced at the MAAC tournament banquet. Kerr McLeod earned three separate awards, including the MAAC Rookie of the Year title which was determined by vote of the conference coaches.

McLeod also picked up a spot on the All-MAAC second team and the MAAC All-Rookie squad. The midfielder finished the season with five points, scoring one goal and three assists in 18 games. His lone goal was the game-winnner in the Stags' 1-0 win over Siena College last Sunday.

Defender Tom Clements, midfielder Mike Lentine, forward Aldo Hope, and goalkeeper Jesse Sutherland joined McLeod on the MAAC All-Rookie squad. Clements appeared in eight games as a back, and tallied one assist in those contests. Lentine set a Lessing Field record with three assists in the Canisius game, which allowed him to collect five total points in 15 outings.

Hope placed third among his teammates with 12 total points, netting six goals in 18 contests. Sutherland played in two games during the regular season, registering time against Manhattan and Canisius.

The Stags nearly swept the four defensive positions on the All-MAAC second team. Ed Meyer, Tom Skara, and Mike Troy were selected to the post-season squad after helping Fairfield rank as one of the top defensive units in the nation. Placing as high as fifth in the nation, the Fairfield defense finished the regular season by allowing just 10 goals in 18 games.

McLeod and Hope rounded out Fairfield's second team selections, making both rookies multiple award winners.

The All-MAAC first team included midfielder Sam Bailey, forward Vasilis Androutsos, and goalkeeper Andrew Frankel. Androutos and Bailey led the team in scoring throughout the season. Androutsos posted team-highs in goals (11), assists (5), total points (27), and game-winning goals (4). Bailey registered 16 total points based on six goals and four assists with three game-winning goals.

Frankel enjoyed his best season in a Stags uniform, highlighted by his six MAAC defensive player of the week awards. He tallied six shutouts in 1600 minutes of work. The senior posted a 0.56 goals against average to date, which would represent a school record if it stands at the end of the season.

The Fairfield University men's soccer team, led by head coach Carl Rees, won the MAAC regular season title and earned the top seed in the MAAC tournament this weekend at Lessing Field. The top-seeded Stags will host fourth-seeded Niagara University on Friday, November 11 at 6 pm.

[Joe MacCarthy]

York Soccer Surges With James at the Helm
TORONTO, April 25, 2006 -- York University
http://www.yorku.ca/sprtyork/MediaReleases/Archive/Release.asp?Release=1370

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Paul James watches from the sidelines, while All-Canadian striker April Noga handles the ball during a match at the 2005 CIS National Championship in Edmonton. (Photo by Uwe Welz)

Challenges on the soccer pitch are nothing new to Paul James. With 47 caps for Canada’s senior men’s national team under his belt – including appearances at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1986 World Cup in Mexico – the veteran of both the North American Soccer League and Canadian Soccer League has delivered and received countless tackles.

But one of the biggest challenges James has experienced had nothing to do with getting knocked by an opposing defender. Two years ago, after completing an educational four-and-a-half year stint as coach of Canada’s U20 national men’s side, the Master Coach accepted a position at York University, agreeing to grow both the men’s and women’s varsity programs.

“The primary focus is to create two good teams that are sustainable,” says James. “We’ve made some steps. We’re still not there. But we’ve got some talent.”

York has already reaped some rewards from the revamped soccer programs, the most notable being the women Lions earning the school’s first ever Ontario University Athletics championship with a sensational 1-0 win over the Ottawa Gee-Gees in November. The score line was indicative of the discipline that James has instilled in his players – in 10 regular season games, the women’s side allowed just three goals.

“If you don’t score goals, you can’t win games but if you can’t defend, you won’t win championships,” says James. “You have to understand that and get the balance right.”

Of course, the ability to keep the ball out of the back of the net is just a small component of what James is trying to teach his players. On a much larger scale, he hopes to not only help York’s program evolve by placing an emphasis on commitment and pride, but the entire university system itself.

“It takes time,” says James. “We have to set standards.”

James already has set very high standards on a personal level. The Laurier University grad enjoyed an impressive playing career with the NASL’s Toronto Blizzard and the Doncaster Rovers in England, as well as making four all-star appearances throughout his time in the Canadian Soccer League. It was with the CSL’s Ottawa Intrepid where he got his initial coaching experience, filling the dual role of manager and player. James did the same with the London Lasers in 1992, earning CSL Coach of the Year honours, before taking the next step in his emerging coaching career.

In 1994, at the age of 29, James was offered the position to take over the fledgling soccer program at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. He seized that opportunity and two years later, he was at the helm of an NCAA program as head coach at Niagara University. It was throughout his years south of the border that James got a taste of what success entailed from the coaching perspective. He immersed himself in film and constantly read about the game and how best to teach it, helping him earn Coach of the Year honours in each of the two leagues.

“That period in the States was a huge learning curve I hadn’t planned,” he says. “I was passionate about it.”

James had aspirations of moving on to a big NCAA Division I program but instead, he found himself back in Canada leading the men’s U20 program. While the opportunity was tremendous, he admits that it was “a huge job” that required a level of understanding beyond the formation you employ on match day. Politics, increased media scrutiny and a high level of pressure were just some of the additional things James had to deal with.

“It’s all of those things,” he says. “I didn’t like the political side of it and the angling of people. I learned a lot about myself. I can’t work in that kind of environment.” Edit: I wonder who that was (CSA, coaches, parents, players? The possibilities are endless)

Despite that, the team did well as Team Canada defeated both Mexico and the United States to advance to the 2001 World Youth Championships, making James the first ever Canadian to represent the country at a FIFA sanctioned event as both a player and coach. He left the Canadian Soccer Association and went to the Liverpool, England, where he completed the prestigious Football Industries MBA at the University of Liverpool.

After completing the course in one of the world’s most passionate football environments, James saw the advertisement for the York job and once again, saw an opportunity to make an impact. He admits the program faces some unique obstacles with York being predominantly a commuter school but the overall approach and ethic of the players is certainly improving. For example, James says that fitness was a weak spot with some of the athletes so proper training has become a point of emphasis. So too has flexibility in terms of the style of the two teams. While sound defensive positioning has been one of James’s underlying themes, he has adapted his system to the strengths of his players.

“Our framework will be this – never compromise on ethic and passion,” says James. “But we’ll change. That’s more in line with the modern-day environment in football. If you play one style, you’ll be in trouble.

“You need to adapt.”

Despite his experience with the politics of football in this country, James is trying help foster some change regarding the future of the sport at the Canadian university level. He recognizes that programs throughout Canadian Interuniversity Sport have trouble recruiting top-end talent, which is in part due to the a lack of exposure. The crème-de-la-crème inevitably ends up in the States as part of the collegiate system, which even in Canada, is highly promoted. In a recent visit to the CSA, James asked that the merits of playing in Canada and the CIS be highlighted.

“They were receptive when we went there,” the York coach says with optimism.

Though James's distinguished playing career is long done, the challenges never stop.

-30-

Taken from oua.ca. Written by David DiCenzo, OUA Communications & Media Relations

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Gaucho95 at BS for headsup

Rosenlund Scores Three Times as UCSB Tops Northwestern 3-2, Advances to College Cup
http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/112606aaa.html

The Gauchos will play Wake Forest in an NCAA semifinal match on Friday, Dec. 1 in St. Louis.

Nov. 25, 2006

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - On October 11, UC Santa Barbara lost a 1-0 decision at UC Riverside. The defeat dropped the Gauchos' record to 7-6 on the season, 3-2 in Big West play.

On Saturday night, junior midfielder Tyler Rosenlund scored three goals, including two in the second half, to lead UCSB to a 3-2 win over Northwestern in the NCAA Quarterfinals in front of 8,784 at Harder Stadium. The victory sends the Gauchos to St. Louis for their second College Cup in the last three seasons. What a difference six weeks makes.

UCSB, who won for only the second time this season after trailing in the match, improves to 16-7-0 overall. NU saw its season come to a close at 14-8. The Wildcats lost for the first time in 2006 when scoring two or more goals.

"When we were 7-6 things were really in the hands of the players," said Santa Barbara head coach Tim Vom Steeg. "I have to give them a great deal of credit. They could easily have packed it in, but they didn't. They stuck together and turned things around."

Rosenlund, whose return to health has been one of the key factors in UCSB's turnaround, scored his first goal of the match and second of the season at 9:20 in the first half. Senior forward Bryan Byrne intercepted a pass on the right wing and drove up the field, taking his defender with him. He turned cut into the box and slid a perfect pass that eluded a pair of defenders, to Rosenlund who carried the ball in for the early 1-0 lead.

Northwestern responded minutes later, tying the score in the 13th-minute. Midfielder Carl Pett dribbled down the right side and was pursued by Gaucho defender Andy Iro. Iro lost his feet and went to the turf and Pett continued into the box, uncontested. Goalkeeper Kyle Reynish came off of his line to cut down the angle but Pett crossed a pass to Brad North on the left side of the goal box and North drove the ball into the open goal.

The Wildcats took a 2-1 lead at 37:55. After a foul, forward Gerardo Alvarez took a free kick from about 30 yards straight out. Alvarez put the ball over the wall and threaded the needle into the upper left corner of the goal, beyond the outstretched hand of a leaping Reynish. The 2-1 lead held at halftime.

UCSB wasted little time getting the equalizer in the second half. Jon Curry, who replaced an under-the-weather Brennan Tennelle to open the half, took a through-ball from Eric Frimpong and carried it into the Northwestern box. Curry beat his defender and crossed a perfect pass to Rosenlund who one-timed it past goalkeeper Justin Pines for his second goal of the match and third of the season. The time of the score was 47:07.

Just over 15 minutes later, at 62:22, it was Rosenlund again as he took a feed from midfielder Eric Avila at the top left corner of the box and drilled a perfect shot into the upper right corner of the goal, beyond a leaping Pines. The goal completed Rosunlund's hat trick and gave him four goals on the season.

After the Gauchos took the lead, Reynish and the defense took over. UCSB's senior goalkeeper finished with four saves, including two in the second half. He also came off his line on a number of occasions to break-up Wildcat scoring opportunities and he had several punch-outs on corner kicks.

The victory was Santa Barbara's ninth in its last 10 matches and fourth in a row in the NCAA Tournament. With the win, the Gauchos advance to their second College Cup in the last three seasons. They will meet Wake Forest on Friday, Dec. 1 in an NCAA Semifinal match in St. Louis. Virginia is also in the College Cup and the fourth member will be determined on Sunday morning when UCLA plays at Duke.

[Joe MacCarthy]

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!
Unseeded UCSB upsets UCLA for first men's soccer national championship.
Dec. 3, 2006
http://ucsbgauchos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/120306aaa.html

St. Louis, Mo. - The unseeded UC Santa Barbara men's soccer team (Tyler Rosenlund, Andrew Proctor) upset UCLA 2-1 for its first NCAA National Championship Sunday at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis.

Nick Perera wasted no time and put UCSB up 1-0 with a goal at the 2:12 mark (assist Rosenlund) of the first half. Eric Avila added the second score at 60:01 on assists from Perera and Bryan Byrne.

The Bruins, who stomped Virginia 4-0 in Saturday's semifinal, got a goal from Jason Leopoldo at 78:56, but the Gaucho defense held for the rest of the match. Senior keeper Kyle Reynish made four saves in the game for UCSB.

UCSB ends its championship season with a 17-7-1 record, while UCLA finishes at 14-6-4.

It is the second national title in UCSB history as the men's water polo team won the first in 1979. Had UCLA won, it would have been the school's 100th national championship.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Gonsalves turning heads at MLS combine
By DEAN MCNULTY, TORONTO SUN
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2007/01/06/3196661-sun.html

Jeffrey Gonsalves is among the top prospects for next week's Major League Soccer SuperDraft who have been strutting their stuff for coaches the past two days in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Rated third among eligible players in next Friday's draft, Gonsalves has spent the past four years at the University of Rhode Island where he was captain of the Rams men's soccer team.

The 20-year-old graduate of Brother Andre Catholic High School in Markham even could be the first player picked in the draft that will be held in Indianapolis.

Toronto FC, which will make its debut in the MLS this season, has that first pick and it will be tough for them to pass up on the local prospect.

But Toronto coach Mo Johnston -- who watched Gonsalves in action yesterday -- refused to comment on what his team's plans are when it picks from the No.1 spot.

Johnston said the reason for his silence was simple: "I don't want to give any other coaches an advantage by giving away what we plan to do on draft day."

However, Johnston did say there won't be any last-minute surprises at the draft table.

"We made our mind up months ago what we are going to do," he said.

One of the options, of course, is for Toronto to trade its pick for an established player and another first-rounder in the hope that Gonsalves still would be available later in the draft.

Johnston said that the combine was giving him a chance to see the top players -- mostly from U.S. colleges -- under game conditions.

"We know most of them anyway," he said. "After all, this isn't rocket science we are doing."

With 41 points, Gonsalves finished the 2006 season second among U.S. college players in total points and his 18 goals also tied him for second in the country in that category.

He was a pre-season All-Atlantic 10 selection and was named the 2006 conference offensive player of the year.

The other top prospects at yesterday's camp included the projected No. 1 Robbie Findley, of Oregon State; No. 2. Randi Patterson, UNC ; No. 4 Jarrod Smith, West Virginia and No. 5 Brad Evans, UC Irvine.

The top amateur player in North America, however, is not at the camp.

Charlie Davies of Boston College already has signed a pro deal with Hammarby in Sweden.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Gonsalves leaves MLS combine
By DEAN MCNULTY, TORONTO SUN
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2007/01/07/3216263-sun.html

A bout with mononucleosis has knocked Major League Soccer prospect Jeffrey Gonsalves out of the players combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The 21-year-old product of Markham's Brother Andre Catholic High School was felled with the nasty bug prior to the start of the camp.

Gonsalves is listed at No. 3 on the MLS draft chart for forwards and with Toronto FC taking the field for its inaugural season in 2007, it has been speculated he could wind up as the club's first pick.

A senior at the University of Rhode Island, Gonsalves has played the past four seasons with the Rams men's soccer team and it was URI coaches who advised him to pull out of the combines.

URI head coach John O'Connor said that Gonsalves probably could have attended all of the combine workouts because he has pretty much recovered from the disease.

"(But) we thought he wouldn't be at full strength after just getting over mono," O'Connor told The Toronto Sun yesterday from the team's Kingston, R.I., home base. "So we advised him to come home."

PROSPECTS

O'Connor was quick to add, however, that missing the four-day exercise in Florida should not hurt Gonsalves' prospects in next Friday's MLS draft in Indianapolis.

"He was the second-best scorer in Division I soccer this season," O'Connor said. "MLS coaches already know what he can do."

Gonsalves has been a team captain on the URI squad for the past two seasons and O'Connor said that he leads the NCAA Division I team by example.

"Jeff is one of three captains on the team," O'Connor said. "He's not the kind of captain to do a lot of shouting. He does his leading on the field."

O'Connor said he will be at the MLS draft and wouldn't be surprised if Gonsalves goes in the first round.

"Certainly with his scoring ability Jeff is deserving of being ranked third among forwards in the draft," he said. "He has played well with and against players -- some of whom are now in the MLS and others who now play internationally -- while at URI."