CHRIS BACKLEY Seniors Shaun Tsakiris,
left, and Caleb Westbay have developed a great
friendship while playing soccer together for the UCLA men’s
team.
By Brian Thompson
Daily Bruin Reporter
Caleb Westbay and Shaun Tsakiris have a lot in common ““ a
love of soccer, an easygoing demeanor and taste in clothes and
music, to name a few. Heck, they even share an apartment.
But of all the things they have in common, perhaps none is more
cherished than their positions side by side in the Bruin
midfield.
Both seniors, Westbay, who is a fifth-year, and Tsakiris
(pronounced Cha-KEIR-riss) have spent four years together now in
the UCLA program. However, this year is the first that the two
friends have been able to play together for any significant amount
of time.
Soccer, of course, is a team sport, but the team aspect is more
important than in other team sports as it is vital to have players
who understand how their teammates think and react to situations.
And that is what makes the Westbay-Tsakiris combo in the middle so
successful.
“There’s almost an understanding there about how
each of us plays and what to expect from one another, and I think
it shows,” Tsakiris said.”When I get a ball, I know
Westbay is going to be right underneath me.”
“We were always friends, but ever since he moved in here,
we’ve become inseparable,” Westbay added.
“He’s an outgoing guy and he’s great with people.
I’m the same way.
“That carries onto the field, too. On the field, I know
what he’s going to do, and he knows what I’m going to
do.”
With both players in the lineup, the Bruins shot out to an 8-0
record.
While they have faltered lately, losing six of their last eight
games, both Westbay and Tsakiris have made tremendous contributions
to UCLA’s success. Tsakiris has tallied nine goals and eight
assists. Westbay has started 15 games and has made solid
contributions, particularly on defense, in the midfield.
And to think, all of this almost didn’t happen.
Both players traveled through vastly different paths to get to
this point.
Tsakiris has been a mainstay on the Bruin squad since he arrived
to Westwood four years ago. A product of high school soccer
powerhouse Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, he has seen
significant playing time all four years. Despite missing a few
games due to injury and illness, he has been a starter for the past
three years. Last year, he led the MPSF in assists with 13 and was
named to the All-MPSF first team.
Westbay, on the other hand, did not start a game his first four
years at UCLA. In fact, the former All-CIF standout from Royal High
School in Simi Valley had only seen action in a combined 10 games
in his entire career before this season. He played only 214 minutes
of collegiate soccer ““ just over two full games’
worth.
So after last season, Westbay faced a difficult decision. He
already decided to sit out the spring season, but he now had to
decide whether or not he was going to give up soccer for good.
“It’s been a tough road for me,” Westbay said.
“I pretty much didn’t play at all my first two or three
years. It didn’t have anything to do with me not playing
well, it was more the fact that I was playing behind some very,
very good players.”
That’s when Tsakiris entered the picture. The Bruins were
thin on experience. The team was going through an unprecedented
turnover in players. Ten members of the 1999 College Cup team had
departed. Fourteen new freshmen were taking their places. Tsakiris
knew that the Bruins desperately needed veteran experience.
“I sat him down last summer and we discussed all of the
pros and cons,” Tsakiris said. “I looked at him and
said, “˜Hey, we’re going to need you.'”
Plus, Tsakiris didn’t want to see his friend miss out on
such a rare experience.
“I remember taking him aside and I was like, “˜Dude,
you are going to regret this for the rest of your life.’ Not
necessarily the soccer side of it, but the relationships,”
Tsakiris said.
“We’re all good buddies on the team and I could tell
that he missed that from being out half a year. How many kids have
the opportunity to play at a place like this?”
Westbay took Tsakiris’s advice to heart.
“Shaun really helped me,” he said. “He made me
believe that I was a good player. I had the confidence, but it
always helps if one of your good buddies and a very good player on
the team is telling you this.”
So Tsakiris and Westbay embarked on a rigorous daily training
schedule.
A few months later, Westbay joined Tsakiris in the starting
lineup.
Both have continually made key contributions as the Bruins fight
for an invitation into the NCAA Tournament.
Tsakiris has made a name for himself for his playmaking ability.
He is the quarterback of the Bruin attack, setting up the offense
with precision passing. As his UCLA career progressed, he has
improved his all-around game.
“We’ve worked hard to develop other parts of his
game,” Bruin head coach Todd Saldaña said. “To see
that he becomes disciplined defensively, that physically he’s
in better condition and works throughout the game. He’s made
improvements in those areas.”
Two things that never come into question are Tsakiris’s
heart and intelligence.
“He possesses a combination of skill, knowledge of the
game and tremendous desire,” said his high school coach, Bill
Chambers. “He passionately cares about the game. He stands
above because of his respect and knowledge of the game.”
Likewise, Westbay deeply cares about soccer. That’s why he
couldn’t give it up just yet. In addition, Westbay’s
tireless work ethic wouldn’t let him quit, and now it
inspires his play. He hounds opposing forwards and midfielders on
defense. Offensively, he provides the perfect complement to
Tsakiris in the midfield as they and Alex Yi look to set up Bruin
forwards such as McKinley Tennyson Jr. and Cliff McKinley.
“He’s worked very, very hard to get where he
is,” Saldaña said. “He’s had to survive
coaching changes. He’s had to survive position changes.
He’s had to adjust.
“Guys peak at different times. Guys develop at different
rates, and it came together for him this year. He really developed
training and playing in this environment.”
Tsakiris agrees.
“It’s not a mistake, it’s not because we lost
so many players that Caleb is playing now,” he added.
“It’s because he busted his (butt). I really want
people to notice that.”
And Caleb knows it too.
“I knew I could play here,” Westbay added. “In
the back of my mind, if I quit, it would always bother me
throughout my entire life. Going into this year, I thought,
“˜Hey, I don’t play? Fine. At least I gave it everything
I had, and that’s all I could ask for.'”
While the two are most focused on helping the Bruins win their
last two contests of the season, both have an eye on the future.
Tsakiris and Westbay hope to continue their soccer careers in the
professional ranks. No doubt Tsakiris’ services will be
highly sought after. But it is remarkable that Westbay’s are
as well, seeing how close he came to giving up the sport.
“A year ago, he wasn’t even going to play
here,” Tsakiris said. “But now, he’s been invited
to go to Florida for an MLS (camp). And that’s a complete
turnaround.”
Though they have taken different routes, the future is bright
for both Tsakiris and Westbay. So bright that they may both be
headed down the same path to professional soccer.
But that will come after a little unfinished business ““
helping UCLA into the playoffs.