July 17, 2007

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After spending 10 days in Argentina in early July, the UC Santa Barbara men's soccer team returned to campus with an impressive mark of 4-1-1, a first-hand view of South American soccer, and countless memories. Now, with the start of the 2007 season less than six weeks away, the Gauchos' journey proved to be an excellent step towards defending the program's first national championship.

"Overall we had an amazing experience," two-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year Tim Vom Steeg said. "Our guys learned a lot while we were down there and it wasn't all about soccer. I felt like we all had our eyes opened and we came back with a better appreciation for what we have after spending 10 days in South America."

The travel party that consisted of 22 players and three coaches set up camp at a soccer academy in the county of Merlo, roughly 60 miles outside of Buenos Aires. The facility, designed for teams that want to get away and focus completely on soccer, housed the Gauchos in a single hall with nine rooms and one bathroom. The UCSB players and coaches shared one computer and played ping pong and foosball in their spare time.

"From a soccer standpoint, this was an excellent trip," two-time Big West Defensive Player of the Year Andy Iro said. "We stayed somewhere that was completely dedicated to soccer, where numerous professional squads had stayed and trained in the past. The people were happy to have us and I thought we learned a lot from the instructors at the center."

After settling in at the academy, the Gauchos finally got around to playing soccer. With a day of training under their belts, UCSB traveled to Banfield, a city in a Buenos Aires province, to open its tour Wednesday, July 4. Apparently still feeling the effects of the long flight, the team dropped a 3-0 decision to the city's Division I youth club team.

On Friday, July 6, Santa Barbara bounced back with an impressive showing, defeating a professional practice squad, 3-0 at the academy. The team was comprised of players seeking pro contracts and had some of the most talented players the Gauchos would see in Argentina, including two incredibly skilled midfielders.

The following day Santa Barbara played four 30-minute quarters against Velez Sarsveld, a Division IV squad. The first 60 minutes were against the first team, with the second coming against the reserve squad. The Gauchos looked very sharp, coming away with a 5-1 win.

After taking Sunday off, Monday, July 9 proved to be a busy day for UCSB, with two matches on the slate. The first contest was against Division III Ituzaingo, with the Gauchos coming out on top in smashing fashion, 6-2. In the second match-up of the day, Santa Barbara put together its best performance of the trip and defeated the local Division II squad from Merlo, 5-3.

UCSB concluded its competition in Argentina Wednesday morning before flying home later that night. The Gauchos squared off with one of the country's premiere club teams River Plate and, after a controversial goal at the end of the game was waved off, tied the team made up of reserves and U-20s, 1-1.

The Gauchos with the members of River Plate.

"The competition was great in Argentina," Vom Steeg added. "The team practiced hard just like we would if we were in Santa Barbara and we competed. Some of our unproven guys got a chance to show what they can do and looked really good. It was a tremendous soccer experience."

After six scrimmages and hours spent training with former professional and world cup team players, the Gauchos were impressed with the Argentine's approach to the game.

"We left there with a new appreciation for soccer," assistant coach Greg Wilson said. "It was unbelievable. Every single player of every team was skilled and technically sound. Every player could hit a set piece and challenge us defensively. They were very professional in every thing they did, as well."

"It didn't take long to see how important the game was to the people in Argentina," junior midfielder Alfonso Motagalvan said. "With extreme poverty everywhere you turn, soccer was definitely a way out for them."

When the Gauchos weren't practicing, playing, or working on their ping pong skills, they were watching either the Copa Americas, the main international tournament in South America, or the U-20 World Championships on television. The squad got to see future teammates Michael Boxall and Sam Jenkins compete for New Zealand in the U-20s held in Canada.

"We definitely watched quite a bit of soccer, as well," Iro said. "We got a look at our two recruits from New Zealand and I think the guys got fired up to play with them this fall. It was great to watch some of the best soccer in the world in that setting."

Boxall and Jenkins are scheduled to report with Santa Barbara's other recruits August 14.

The trip definitely was not without its hardships. Six or seven players came down with various ailments during their 10-day stay and Buenos Aires saw snow in July for the first time in 14 years. After battling sleet, snow, and temperatures of 20 degrees or less in Saint Louis last December on the way to the national title, the Gauchos found themselves practicing in the snow again after the area was blanketed with about an inch on Sunday and Monday.

"It was definitely bizarre to be in the snow again," Vom Steeg said. "It was winter and it was definitely cold, but no one was expecting it to snow."

The Gauchos after a practice in the snow.

The winter storm crippled the country for several days, wiping out electricity completely at the soccer academy in Merlo. Without electricity - or the use of gas furnaces - the Gauchos resulted to sleeping in their clothes to fight off the cold.

"It was a very humbling experience," junior forward and 2006 College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player Nick Perera said. "We really did get to see what its like in conditions close to those of a Third World country and now that we're back in Santa Barbara, we realize how privileged we all are."

Motagalvan agreed. "It was definitely hard at times," he said. "We had never really been in a place like that but in the end it was a rewarding experience because we came together as a team. Being there and spending a lot of time together, watching out for each other, taking care of the guys that got sick, I really feel like we connected as a team and now we are prepared for what is going to be a very challenging season as defending champions."