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09042011_msoccerstjoes288
Men's Soccer vs. St. Joe's Credit: Christina Wu , Christina Wu

Forecast in Philadelphia this weekend: Friday, a mess; Saturday, a mess; Sunday, a mess.

Forecast in San Diego this weekend? Beautiful, beautiful and beautiful.

It’s probably no mystery where Penn students would rather spend their first weekend back on campus. Enviably, the men’s soccer team travels out to sunny California this weekend for the San Diego Central Tournament, hosted by San Diego State.

When the Red and Blue last entered this tournament in 2009, they defeated San Diego, 3-2, and drew San Diego State, 2-2, to claim co-champion honors. In 2011, the No. 21 Quakers (2-0) will face the same two opponents, opening against San Diego (1-2) on Friday night followed by San Diego State (1-1-2) on Sunday afternoon.

Despite their success in the 2009 tournament, coach Rudy Fuller and his players aren’t anticipating a relaxing weekend on the La Jolla shores. After playing almost exclusively East Coast teams for the past two years, the Quakers may experience a fresh style of play on the West Coast.

“It’s going to be different [from the Ivy League],” Fuller said. “It’s going to be a challenging weekend. We’ve got a pretty good read on the teams we’re going to face, and they’re both very good.
“Throw in a 3,000-mile flight and two games in three days and you have [some pretty unique challenges],” he added.

Senior midfielder Christian Barreiro agreed.

“It’s always a high level of competition [in California],” he said. “It really tests our entire team.”

Barreiro shined in this tournament back in 2009, scoring two goals on his way to offensive co-MVP honors. The Baltimore native has also gotten off to a fast start this season with a hand in three of the Quakers’ first seven goals. However, Barriero was skeptical about possible defensive changes for his return to San Diego.

“That was two years ago, it may be in the back of their minds,” he said. “We have new players and they have new players. I expect San Diego and San Diego State to have a completely different look.”

Penn does enter the tournament starting several freshmen at key positions, including goalkeeper and attack. The newcomers have a chance to respond positively to their first cross-country trip as collegiate players.

While Barreiro advised his younger teammates to rest well, Fuller was not concerned.

“Those guys all played youth club ball and academy league before they came to Penn and have made trips like this to play before,” Fuller said.

Several of Fuller’s starting freshmen have seen time on the U18 and U15 United States National Teams. Those teams went on trips to Spain and Mexico for matches, so the freshmen certainly hope to use that experience this weekend in San Diego.

“That being said, college is still different, but we have a lot of good experienced veterans ready to help them out,” Fuller added.

Although they will be busy this weekend, the team should get some time to enjoy the West Coast. Barreiro said he’s looking forward to the weather.

Fuller?

“Two wins.”

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