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  EDWARD LIN UCLA's starting goalkeeper, DJ Countess, has become an emotional leader for the team, despite the fact that he's only a freshman.

By Jim Guthrie

Daily Bruin Contributor

Last year’s UCLA soccer team was one of the most talented college soccer squads in history. Even though they lost a heartbreaking game in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament, the team had already won a championship in 1997, torn down numerous records, sent five players to the pros, and had two members play for their country in the Olympics.

But none of those players came close to touching the experience of the new kid who was about to come to town.

DJ Countess, welcome to Westwood.

Okay, it wasn’t the same amount of buzz that Lew Alcindor or Cade McNown received when they enrolled in their first classes, but UCLA coach Todd Saldaña had to be salivating when he examined the 18-year-old’s resume.

Starting goalkeeper for the U.S. Under-17 National Team.

Three shutouts in the 1999 FC Qualifying tournament.

An alternate for the 1999 Pan-American Games.

First-team Parade All-American and Goalkeeper of the Year in 1999.

Oh yeah, and he plays baseball too.

It was a crazy road for the freshman from Fair Oaks, Calif., but one he wouldn’t trade for the world.

“Playing for the national team is a great environment,” Countess said. “But coming here to UCLA, I feel that same environment with the best players in the country, I get the same training and it’s just all in all a good thing.”

So Countess packed his bags and traveled to Southern California where he can add yet another title to his list: starting goalkeeper for the UCLA Bruins.

With the loss of goalkeeper Nick Rimando to Major League Soccer, Countess seized the opportunity and became one of the most important pieces of the puzzle that is UCLA’s chance to return to Charlotte. A man of his expertise has only one option – to jump into the fire headfirst.

“His biggest role right now is that he is our emotional leader on the field,” said teammate and roommate Alex Yi. “Usually that comes from an older player but DJ hates to lose and always puts in 110 percent. He’s always talking and always gives us support.”

With the wealth of players who exited the team last year, the freshmen have been asked to step up and Countess has assumed the role of ringleader. When most critics thought he would buckle under the pressure that UCLA athletics impose, Countess simply proved them wrong, leading his team to key early-season victories over defending champion Indiana and runner-up Santa Clara, both on the road.

“His biggest strength is his shot stopping,” Saldaña said.

“There is no one I would rather have in the goal. He’s still gaining experience but every game we play he makes one or two big plays.”

Off the field, well, it’s another story. Despite all of his commendations, Countess is still a freshman, and his teammates have not forgotten that fact. The prized net-minder still must lug the soccer balls off the practice field, and, of course, be the subject of his fellow Bruins’ heckling.

“There is always the fact that freshmen have to do the dirty work,” Countess said. “It is a good experience because when I get older I will probably do the same things to those guys. Even the little things that don’t seem fun are a good experience.”

His teammates recognize his leadership qualities, and they have accorded Countess a tremendous amount of respect. His ability to play beyond his years has helped the Bruins’ team camaraderie, both on and off the field. But that doesn’t mean he can’t still act like a college student.

“Off the field, he’s a first-year but he doesn’t act like it,” said teammate Chadd Davis. “He’s a pretty loud and confident kid. He’s got a lot of spirit and he lifts us a lot.”

The future, though four years away, already looks promising for Countess, who will probably field overseas offers as well as the chance to play in the MLS and for the U.S. team. But that does not mean he will look past his college career and a shot at a national championship.

“I have just learned that college soccer is a whole new level. Being with these guys on and off the field has helped me so much as a person and a player,” Countess said. “Coming to UCLA is a big stepping stone for where I want to go in the future. If I didn’t come here and went pro right away, I would not be where I am today. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Okay, so maybe he is one of the best players ever to set foot on campus and will probably go on to soccer stardom – but he is mortal. And with that distinction comes his fair share of quirky traits and no one better to point them out than his roommate.

“He hates mayonnaise,” Yi said. “If he looks at it he will try to barf.”

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