Brad Evans named to World Cup Qualifier roster

Former UC Irvine men’s soccer standout Brad Evans has burst onto the national soccer scene in his recent appearances for the U.S. men’s national team, and will now look to solidify his standing after making the 23-man roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Team USA has four qualifiers remaining to try starting in Costa Rica on Sept. 6 to try and earn a spot in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The Americans follow that up with a match with Mexico, Sept. 10, in Columbus, Ohio before a brief hiatus that finishes with Jamaica on Oct. 11 and Panama on Oct. 15.

The U.S. is atop the hexagonal with 13 points with its next opponent, Costa Rica, close behind with 11. The consensus seems to be that four points are needed to secure a spot which would constitute at least one win in the final four matches with the occasional draw also being acceptable.

Evans has been a pleasant surprise for the Americans since being inserted into the starting lineup as a defender on June 7 and immediately impacting the squad with the game-winning goal. He has started each WCQ since then, and looks to remain a mainstay through to a possible World Cup appearance.

Evans was twice named Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2005 and 2006) and was named Midfielder of the Year in the conference in 2004.

— From staff reports