August 16, 2011

UCSB Alum Chris Pontius Named MLS Player of the Week

Former UC Santa Barbara men's soccer star, Chris Pontius has been selected as MLS Player of the Week for Week 22 by the North American Soccer Reporters. Pontius scored two goals in D.C. United's first-ever meeting with Vancouver Whitecaps FC – which is the home to Gaucho alum Michael Boxall – leading United to a 4-0 victory over the Canadian expansion side.

Pontius' recognition earns D.C. United its third consecutive Player of the Week Award, as Dwayne De Rosario was honored in Weeks 20 and 21. 

So far this season, Chris Pontius has registered seven goals and two assists in 1,861 minutes of play. He has started in all of D.C. United's 22 matches.

In 2010, he played 17 regular season games, making the starting lineup 13 times and registering 1,189 minutes of play. Unfortunately, the forward's season was cut short due to a hamstring injury that plagued him for much of the MLS calendar.

Pontius joined the Black-and-Red in 2009 as the seventh overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft. He scored his first professional goal in the 62nd minute of D.C. United's season opener against the LA Galaxy. The young midfielder was used at nearly every offensive position on the field that season, and went on to play in all but two of the team's 30 League games (23 starts), tallying four goals and three assists.

The 2011 UCSB men's soccer season opens this Saturday, Aug. 20 with an exhibition match against Westmont at 7 p.m. at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium. 

To ensure you don't miss a minute of the 2011 soccer season, purchase your season tickets now by calling (805) 893-UCSB, visiting the Ticket Office in the Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus or by clicking here.
 
There are a number of value-packed ways to catch the Gauchos this season from the affordable Family Plan to the brand-new V-Pack! And the popular GKids club is back with added features for kids 8th grade and under.

GKids is the official kids club of UCSB Athletics available to kids in eighth grade or younger. Members receive the official 2011-12 GKids t-shirt, Olé's Coloring Book and Guide for Being a Gaucho, entry into every regular season soccer, basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball game, and much more! To sign up today, click here.