by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
If the UNM men's soccer team is going to return to the College Cup final this season, some of its younger players may have to contribute significantly.
Lobo head coach Jeremy Fishbein said he is confident freshman Michael Reed is one of those players.
"He's going to be a good one," Fishbein said. "No question about it."
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Fishbein hasn't decided his starting lineup yet, but he said the team has great depth. He plans on rotating most of his players in and out of the team's first game Saturday at the University of Portland.
Reed said he is anxious about getting to see his first collegiate action this weekend.
"We're all nervous, and the excitement is just unbelievable," Reed said. "We're just looking forward to the season starting and looking forward to having a good time."
Fishbein said Reed has been a quick learner, and he has seen him improve since the first practice.
"Mike's doing well," Fishbein said. "He's getting comfortable to the speed of play. I think with all the young guys, you see the ups and downs. They come in fresh, play simple, and then they're learning a lot of things."
Reed said he is trying to soak up everything he can in practice in order to keep improving.
"I just want to learn and get better," Reed said. "If I can play, that's great. If I can start, that's even better, but I just want to improve as an individual and a team player."
Reed is a highly touted freshman as a 6-foot midfielder who graduated in May from Sandia High School in Albuquerque. In 2005, his senior season, Reed was named New Mexico Player of the Year and earned NSCAA High School All-American honors. He was a four-year letterman and was named to the all-state team every season. He was also the 2005 Albuquerque Tribune Player of the Year.
With all those accolades, expectations are pretty high for Reed, and Fishbein said he is talented enough to live up to his potential.
"He's a very, very good player," Fishbein said. "He's going to do really well here. He'll be ready to go."
Although the team has a lot of new faces, Reed said it has enough talent and leadership to compete for the national title again this season.
"They say we're a young team, but I think everyone agrees that we're just as capable as the last team to go to the finals," he said. "I think the holes will be filled, and everyone's capable of playing in those positions."
The opening stretch will be a telling test for the Lobos, as they play their first three games on the road.
Reed said the first games should show where him and the rest of the team stand.
"It should be a good learning experience," Reed said. "We've all played in big games, and we're all ready. It's just getting used to the atmosphere, and I think we'll be fine when we get on the field."
Reed said he has enjoyed playing for the Lobos and is getting accustomed to the difference between high school and college play.
"It's just a new atmosphere," Reed said. "It's just getting used to the higher competition - the speed of play. It's good, though. It's a lot of fun."
