Soccer standout Amobi Okugo got a huge surprise at his UCLA orientation last week.
The recent Rio Americano High School graduate was asked if he wanted to play in an exhibition match for the Bruins while in town.
Much to the 18-year-old's delight, the match was against European power Inter Milan, which was preparing to play in the inaugural World Football Challenge on Sunday in Stanford (Mexico's Club America beat the Italian power on penalty kicks in the opening match of the six-team event).
Okugo found himself at times going elbow to elbow in the midfield with Inter Milan's Patrick Vieira, one of Europe's most famed players.
"That was amazing," Okugo said. "The only time I've played against him is in video games. We played pretty well, tying them 2-2."
Okugo is excited about attending UCLA, which has one of the nation's top soccer programs. But there's still a chance that the midfielder-defender might turn pro before college starts. He said his father, Chris, is dealing with that.
Okugo has discussed the pros and cons of possibly becoming a professional with UCLA baseball recruit Max Stassi, The Bee's two-time baseball Player of the Year, who could still sign with the A's after being taken in the fourth round of the amateur draft last month.
"If I were to bypass college, it would have to be with a European team," Okugo said. "Right now, UCLA seems the right decision in terms of soccer and education. They have the most players in (Major League Soccer), on the national team and overseas."
UCLA coach Jorge Salcedo must have his fingers crossed. He calls Okugo "arguably the top recruit in the nation in the 2009 class."
There aren't many more experienced, either.
The two-time Parade All-American has competed the last five years for various United States Soccer Federation youth national teams, and is currently a member of both the U-18 and U-20 national squads, keeping him a busy young man.
He will fly to Northern Ireland today with the U-18 men's team to play in the Milk Cup against several of Europe's top teams. The United States will face Denmark on Monday, and Germany next Wednesday.
Okugo also has a shot at playing for the U.S. men's team in the U-20 World Cup in Egypt in September.
The current U-18 men's team captain has seen more of the world than most Americans. He has played in Argentina, France, Japan, Italy, Australia, Portugal, Ukraine and Costa Rica. This is his third trip to Northern Ireland.
He played only one year of high school soccer, as a freshman on the Jesuit junior varsity, missing much of the season because of a hyperextended right hip suffered against Christian Brothers.
He spent his sophomore year and part of his junior year in the U.S. Soccer Federation residency camp in Bradenton, Fla., then decided to finish high school at Rio Americano.
Okugo's ultimate goal is to play in the World Cup.
"Right now, I'm focused on the U.S. team, but I have dual citizenship (Nigeria), so it gives me some options," Okugo said. "But first and foremost is to get into a pro environment. I'm looking forward to college, but to have a shot at making a national team, you have to be playing at a high level professionally."
Call The Bee's Bill Paterson, (916) 326-5506.
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