Westmont Soccer 2009 Preview

We all get that feeling.

You know that feeling that comes around every August.

No, not ‘The Righteous Brothers’ or that “Loving feeling”.

That feeling that is both nostalgic and tangible in our bodies and souls…

…the feeling of another college soccer season.

As we stand on the verge of another Westmont soccer season and to better get a sense of the 2009 edition of the Warriors I enlisted the help of one of the program’s best players in history, Johnny Alcarez.

As you know, our very own Johnny spent the 2008 Major League Soccer Season with the 2-time defending MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo. Johnny is getting married in November and has been preparing for the 2010 season by training with the Warriors team.

I caught up with Johnny to get his overall impressions of the 2009 Warriors…

What are your impressions so far?

“I really like this team. They are very, very athletic and have lots of depth as everyone is athletic and can move around the field. They are big and athletic with just enough ‘ballers’ [street translation: players with talent and skill] to make it all work.

I have been really impressed by the upperclassmen and seniors. They have set the tone and the freshman have responded by not only following but also showing they can lead by example as well. One thing is for sure, this team knows the leaders and especially knows the guys who can play. As Wolfy says, “there are guys who play the piano and then there are piano players.”

So what happened against SBCC?

They came out flat (4-1 loss), maybe they underestimated City College some because they play a lot of freshman.  But I also think they had some training camp legs and perhaps just didn’t’ play enough 11 v 11 or real game situations in camp. Hugo [Pizano] scored a great free kick goal. I was happy because we’ve been working on free-kicks after training and it obviously paid off?

What are the strengths that you see so far?

Without a doubt the midfield. They have a very solid triangular midfield. If and when they play well, I guarantee they will be successful and get results.

Anthony Strunz (Jr.- El Cajon), Hugo Pizano (Sr. SB), Anthony NIboli (Jr. – Fresno), Danny Torres (Jr. – Carp.) and Henry Sarmiento (So. – Bogota, Colombia), when he gets healthy, are going to be very good and are the keys to the offense.

Up front, what can I say about Dan Sargeant (Jr. – Hamilton, MA)?!!! He is the epitome of a Westmont student-athlete. Great athlete, 4.0 GPA, well-liked, the total package. Sarg has been doing well so far and does all the dirty work. He reminds me of Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo/USMNT), who works so hard and it doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet but it always does on film.

Isaac Thompkins (Fr. – Fresno) is a player I like. He has a bit of a goofy touch, but I think as a freshman he can have an impact.

Masters transfer, Doug Harrelll (So.) joined the team right before camp. He’s big and strong, likes to dribble and can post up.

We talked about the attack, what about the defenders, what do you think about that group?

Well defensively is starts with Dillon Barna (Sr. – Phoeniz) who is just a beast. He’s the best defender in the GSAC, hands down. It’s clear to me that playing with the [Ventura] Fusion (2009 PDL Champions) really helped him develop his game. I think he should be All-American this season. [Editor note: Barna has played all but 2 possible minutes of his Westmont Career]

My only worry is that they might rely on him too much. Zack George (So. - Irvine) who had a great National tournament last year, is still inconsistent, they guys tell me he’s still hot or cold. Webby (Josh Webb- Sr. - Pasadena) is always solid and does fine and think as a group they are very solid in the back.

Goalkeeper Sean Linn (So. – Laguna Niguel) needs game experience, it could take him a while. But he seems more than ready to step in. He knows this is his chance to set the tone for the next three years of his career.

Final thoughts?

I am excited for this team. They have the talent to have a great season.

Posted by: Allen Hopkins ('95)