March 30, 2009

Eighteen former UCLA players graced Major League Soccer (MLS) opening day rosters in 2009, the most from any university in the nation. UCLA continues to lead all schools with a total of 50 all-time MLS players.

Nine of those 18 players earned starting nods for their teams' season openers - Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Marvell Wynne (Toronto), Chad Barrett (Toronto), Kevin Hartman (Kansas city), Jordan Harvey (Colorado), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Matt Reis (New England), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) and Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake).

In addition to the 18 players, there are three UCLA alumni coaching in the league - Sigi Schmid, head coach of Seattle Sounders FC and the 2008 MLS Coach of the Year; Mike Lapper, assistant coach of the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew; and Cobi Jones, assistant coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Bruins In Major League Soccer (2009 opening day rosters)
Players:
Chad Barrett - Toronto FC
Tony Beltran - Real Salt Lake
Jonathan Bornstein - Chivas USA
Jimmy Conrad - Kansas City Wizards
Leonard Griffin - Los Angeles Galaxy
Kevin Hartman - Kansas City Wizards
Jordan Harvey - Colorado Rapids
Frankie Hejduk - Columbus Crew
Patrick Ianni - Seattle Sounders FC
Eddie Lewis - Los Angeles Galaxy
Chance Myers - Kansas City Wizards
Ante Razov - Chivas USA
Matt Reis - New England Revolution
Nick Rimando - Real Salt Lake
Peter Vagenas - Seattle Sounders FC
Sasha Victorine - Chivas USA
Marvell Wynne - Toronto FC
Mike Zaher - San Jose Earthquakes

Coaches:
Sigi Schmid - Head Coach, Seattle Sounders FC
Cobi Jones - Asst. Coach, Los Angeles Galaxy
Mike Lapper - Asst. Coach, Columbus Crew