Metro League Boys Soccer Capsules

BALLARD -- NICKNAME - Beavers. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 8-4-2 in league, placed fifth; 10-5-2 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Ron Ottele, 129-87-42 career record, 19th season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - CM Bee Ly, sr. (all-league); MF Miguel Barros, sr.; CF Fasil Teka, sr.; D Sang Lam, sr.; W Matt Diefenback, sr.; D Darshawn Simonowitz, jr.; MF Josh Springer, jr.; MF Yury Silva, jr; GK Jan Van Amergen, jr.; GK Gabe Slimp, jr. -- OUTLOOK - Offensive-minded team whose weakness is stopping opponents. Strong international flavor: Silva (Chile), Teka (Ethiopia), Barros (Portugal), Ly (Southeast Asia). Ly, a three-year starter, scored 14 goals last year and is considered one of the Metro's premier players. Expect the Beavers to finish in the top five.

BLANCHET -- NICKNAME - Braves. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 8-5-1 in league, placed sixth. -- HEAD COACH - Bobby McLaughlin, 25-16-9 career record, fourth season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - GK Ryan Pack, sr.; D Leo Machado, jr.; MF Matt Huff, sr.; MF David Cutter, jr.; MF Ben Connors, sr.; F Andy Donaldson, sr.; F Colin Hopps, sr.; F Kyle Manning, jr.; F Robin Mervin, jr. -- OUTLOOK - Fifteen juniors and seniors return to the 18-man roster -with just three freshmen. No standout or dominant players, so Braves will have to rely on a team effort. Not a serious contender for the league championship, but should make the playoffs.

CHIEF SEALTH -- NICKNAME - Seahawks. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 1-13 in league, placed 14th. -- HEAD COACH - Roy Sinclair, fifth season. -- OUTLOOK - Graduation has practically wiped the slate clean of starters, and Sealth will be hard-pressed to better last season's record. First priority is to obtain enough players to field a competitive team. Forced to forfeit a game last year for lack of eligible players. Second priority - gain experience for younger players, withstand some inevitable lopsided and painful losses and wait until next year.

CLEVELAND -- NICKNAME - Eagles. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 4-5-5 in league, placed ninth. -- HEAD COACH - Bernd Strom, first season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - D Luel Getachew, sr.; MF Jose Juarez, sr.; D Chantasone Khamphasouk, jr. -- OUTLOOK - It's a rebuilding year for the Eagles, who aren't a serious contender, but may surprise some teams. A winning record would be the season highlight. Senior forward Quan Tran out for the season with broken collarbone. Strom was an assistant coach at Roosevelt, Redmond and Ferndale before coaching at Cleveland.

EASTSIDE CATHOLIC -- NICKNAME - Crusaders. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 9-2-3 in league, placed third; 9-2-4 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Lauro Pizzuto, ninth season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - F Brian Osterbeck, sr.; GK Ben Taft, sr.; D Tyler Runnells, sr. (all-league); D Dana Foerester, sr.; D Jay Despard, jr.; F John McMillen, sr. (all-league); MF Jeff Stevens, sr.; MF Matt Wright, jr.; MF Hans Krebs, jr.; D Brian McConville, sr.; D Cory Bartle, jr.; MF Steve Stecher, sr. -- OUTLOOK - Veteran team with two returning All-Metro League players will make Crusaders one of top teams in the league, but loss to Garfield in season-opener will hurt chances for a league title. Taft recorded six shutouts last year and allowed only 13 goals. McMillen leads the offense.

FRANKLIN -- NICKNAME - Quakers. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 7-6-1 in league, placed eighth. -- HEAD COACH - Jesus Bautista, second season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - GK Jason Halstenrud, sr. (all-league); D Andrew Bain, sr.; MF Will Skrivan, jr.; D Bun Huynh, so.; D Todd Beeman, sr.; MF Adam Graham, jr.; MF Jordan Wilson, sr.; MF Joel Abbott, sr. (all-league); DF John Norris, sr. -- OUTLOOK - A team on the rise, but still another year or two from competing for league title. Quakers should improve and give other teams problems. Abbott leads a talented midfield and Halstenrud is solid in goal.

GARFIELD -- NICKNAME - Bulldogs. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 7-6-1, in league, placed seventh; 9-7-2 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Alex Zahajko, 40-6-16 overall record, fourth season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - F Trevor Jackson, sr.; GK Adam Glyn, sr.; F Tyzon Manzine, sr. (all-league); MF Mark Hunter, so.; MF Andrei Zahajko, so. -- OUTLOOK - This should be the year Garfield achieves a 10-win season and competes for league title. Strong offense with Manzine (11 goals last season) and Jackson (seven goals). Glyn should provide stability in goal. Good shot to finish in the top four.

HALE -- NICKNAME - Raiders. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 0-14 in league, placed 15th. -- HEAD COACH - William Gion, second season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - F Amanuel Abraham, jr.; MF Matthew Blackmore, sr.; MF Aran Dahl, so.; D Cuong Dang, sr.; MF Patrick Gogerty, sr.; MF Matty Manahan, jr.; D Kalil Oldhan, so.; MF Sophy Math, sr.; GK David Werntz, sr. -- OUTLOOK - Team has been through the rough times and may still be recovering from roulette of coaches (four in four years before Gion's arrival). Raiders will have an even rougher time of winning than last season. Still in the rebuilding stage with few experienced seniors.

INGRAHAM -- NICKNAME - Rams. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 5-9 in league, placed 12th. -- HEAD COACH - Gale W. Phillips, eighth season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - D Kenny Lyons, sr.; D Brian Smith, jr.; D Matt Johnson, jr.; D Brandon Thomas, jr.; MF Nuno Luz, so.; D Eric Fox, so. -- OUTLOOK - Young team with little experience. Only one returning senior. Lyons, Smith, Fox and Johnson are returning starters on defense, but front line is young and will struggle with offensive production. Rams will do well to qualify for Metro Tournament.

LAKESIDE -- NICKNAME - Lions. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 5-7-2 in league, placed 10th; 7-9 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Brad Elmenhurst, first year. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - MF Matt Diggs, so.; MF Brinton Harris, jr.; D Ryan Daugherty, so.; MF Jon Abelson, jr.; D Tatum Nolan, sr.; MF Dan Abelson, jr.; MF Chris Kennedy, sr.; MF Dylan Ragozin, sr.; D Brad Galvin, so.; F Noah Marks, sr. -- OUTLOOK - Sophomore-dominated team inclined to make mistakes of inexperience. Ten-goal performance against Cleveland in season-opener is example of offensive power. Elmenhurst coached at Juanita in the talented KingCo Conference last season, but expect Lakeside to struggle with young players.

O'DEA -- NICKNAME - Fighting Irish. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 8-2-4 in league, placed fourth; 12-4-5 overall, placed first in district, advanced to state quarterfinals. -- HEAD COACH - Pat Raney, 289-36-54 career record, 21st season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - GK Scott Burke, sr.; D Pat Lanphier, sr. (all-league); MF Sean Fitzpatrick, sr.; MF Andy Meier, sr.; D Tony O'Brien, sr.; D Sabry Tozin, sr.; MF Jacobi Goodfellow, so.; D Brian Morseburg, so.; F Peter Shifflette, so. -- OUTLOOK - Improved from last year's squad, ousted in state tournament on a last-second penalty kick. Strength is on defense with Burke and Lanphier, but the Irish are looking for offensive production. Raney should reach the 300 mark for career victories this season.

RAINIER BEACH -- NICKNAME - Vikings. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 2-12 in league, placed 13th. -- HEAD COACH - Phil Blix, first season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - D Alec Munro, sr.; F Greg Postel, so.; MF Huy Thai, sr.; GK Janaar Hicks, so.; MF Phaeng Phimphilavong, so.; D Jeff Raymond, so.; D Pan Kantiyavong, jr.; D Grant Underwood, so. -- OUTLOOK - Rebuilding year for the Vikings. Sophomore-dominated team, starting only one senior. Raymond has stepped in goal for Hicks, who is out because of a hand injury. Postel has looked impressive.

ROOSEVELT -- NICKNAME - Roughriders. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 14-0 in league, placed first; 16-2 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Joel Watters, 140-30-8, ninth season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - MF Tom Hardy, sr.; MF Neal Parry, sr. (all-league); F Aaron Spiro, sr. (all-league); MF Brent O'Neill, sr.; MF Carlo Furlan, sr.; GK Alexander Luboff, sr.; D Abdella Gasiem, sr. (all-league). -- OUTLOOK - Odds-on favorite to win the league again. Six starters return from last year's team, which was undefeated in the regular season. Overtime loss (3-2) to O'Dea in Metro tournament provides added incentive. Second straight year Roosevelt failed to make state tournament, after five-year streak. Four possible collegiate players.

SEATTLE PREP -- NICKNAME - Panthers. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 11-2-1 in league, placed second; 13-5-1 overall, district qualifier. -- HEAD COACH - Dick Sandstrom, 18th season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - MF James Surapsitchat, sr. (all-league); F Arne Klubberud, jr. (all-league); MF Dilan MacHardy, sr.; MF Sean O'Leary, jr. (all-league); F Justin Keolker, jr.; D Kris Ginthner, sr.; MF Mark Wilson, sr.; D Sean Tomlinson, so. -- OUTLOOK - Prep has the senior leadership to return to playoffs. Lost one starter, all-league goalkeeper Andy Klubberud to graduation, but Chris Cruise and Andrew Stark are fighting for the spot. Strong contender for the league championship. Last trip to state tournament was in 1989.

WEST SEATTLE -- NICKNAME - Indians. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 5-7-2 in league, placed 11th; 6-7-2 overall. -- HEAD COACH - Dan Peterson, second season. -- PLAYERS TO WATCH - D Chris Anderson, sr.; D Naz Beeman, sr.; MF Matt Cooper, jr.; D Adrian Galviz, jr. (all-league); F Jasser Negwo, jr.; MF Ian Russell, sr. (all-league); MF Mark Williamson, jr.; GK D'Juan Brown, jr. -- OUTLOOK - Only four returning seniors. Young team hoping to finish with a winning record. Inexperience at the midfielder and forward positions will hurt. Defense is a strength (five shutouts last season) and Galviz rarely gets beat for a goal. Russell (eight goals last season) is an excellent open-field scorer.