I have always hated the word “almost.”
One can say that “almost” is a sign of progress. But in the context of sports, I would argue otherwise.
I’ve been an FC Barcelona fan since middle school. So when they reached the Champions League semifinals earlier this year with the opportunity to make their first finals appearance in 10 years, it felt like history was bound to repeat itself.
But they didn’t get there. They almost did.
FC Barcelona came one point short against Inter Milan, and a decade-long wait was extended by a single slip.
“Almost means unfinished business and the chances that slipped away. “Almost” doesn’t earn points on the scoreboard. You either get the job done or leave the door open.
And that word has loomed over UCLA women’s soccer all season.
The semifinal round of the Big Ten tournament between UCLA and Michigan State unfolded in the belly of the beast. Within 10 minutes, redshirt senior midfielder Emma Egizii’s strike found the back of the net, handing the Bruins an early lead. But one lapse halted their momentum, as midfielder Emerson Sargeant struck an equalizer in the second half and later delivered the decisive shot that ended the Bruins’ run.
The Bruins almost made a second consecutive Big Ten Tournament final. Almost.
But the road for coach Margueritte Aozasa’s squad was never expected to be smooth. With significant roster turnovers, Aozasa’s squad had to be rebuilt from scratch. The results from earlier this season reflected this result – until UCLA upset undefeated and then-No. 1 Stanford.
It seemed that the Bruins had finally found rhythm – until they didn’t.
In a matter of weeks, they would drop back-to-back road matches against Washington and Wisconsin – both decided by a single goal – marking the beginning of the “almost” pattern that followed them all season.
And by no means am I discounting the transition the Bruins faced this season. Integrating 11 freshmen and balancing experience isn’t an easy feat. UCLA has shown it can rise against top teams such as Stanford, but there’s still one hurdle that it hasn’t cleared – closing out.
UCLA has outshot its opponents 294-129. Despite that, it still struggled to close out road matches, ending the regular season conceding just five goals yet holding a 3-3-2 away record. The Bruins have the numbers, tactics and chemistry to match – yet the job feels incomplete when they can’t find the back of the net in crucial moments.
And that’s where “almost” becomes more than a cliche and turns into the story of their season.
Let’s get the facts straight.
UCLA averages 15.5 shots per game with a 45.6% shots on goal rate. It has generated more chances than its last five opponents – Michigan State, Penn State, USC, Nebraska and Iowa – yet, in three of those matches, it has struggled to stifle opposing pressure – or even to score.
Possession? The offense can generate it.
Tempo? They can dictate it.
Defense? Twelve shutouts, a rebuilt roster and a freshman goalkeeper who has started in all but one match have constructed one of the most formidable groups in the Big Ten.
But when it comes to the decisive moments – sudden second-half goals, the pressure of rivalry matchups and the unraveling of a comeback against Michigan State – the Bruins haven’t been able to consistently finish the job.
And that’s where “almost” stops being a coincidence and starts becoming a pattern.
When the Bruins played for the Big Ten regular-season title last year, the setup was perfect.
It took place at Dignity Health Sports Park – a stage for MLS battles – and their opponents weren’t just any team. It was none other than USC, the one opponent where every touch carried weight.
But that same day, I witnessed the Bruins fall in the first half after then-forward Maile Hayes scored the deciding shot. However, I also heard a quote from Aozasa that has stuck with me since.
“I’m glad that the loss comes now,” Aozasa said. “If you have to choose a time for us to lose, I think it’s worth noting that we lost to USC before, and things ended up just fine for us at the end of the year.”
And she was right – the first-round NCAA win against California Baptist proved it. The match ended at 1-1, going to double overtime between a Bruin pack that has risen to the national stage before and a dark-horse Lancer crew.
I was there that night when then-senior defender Jayden Perry stood in front of the goal. The stands fell silent when she struck the ball into the back of the net on a penalty kick. That night, I witnessed a team that refused to fold and rose when they needed it the most.
Now, the story feels different.
The Bruins haven’t lacked effort or lost their identity – but they’re missing the final piece of the puzzle. And that is where “almost” keeps resurfacing.
“Almost” can be a sign of progress. But if the Bruins want to make noise on the national stage, “almost” can’t be where the story ends.
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