July 16, 2009

Bryan Scales was named the head men’s soccer coach at UMass Lowell on Apr. 17 following 15 years at Cornell University (11 years as the head coach; four as an assistant). He inherits a UMass Lowell program at its peak, fresh off one of its most successful seasons in its history. The River Hawks arrive for preseason training Aug. 19 and open the season Wednesday, Sept. 2 at home against Dowling College.

When the UMass Lowell head coaching post became vacant, what were the things that interested you most about the program?

That was simple – the university, the quality of the soccer program and the city. Coach Priestly and his staff did an outstanding job building one of the top programs in the country. It is a privilege for me to become a part of that.

What style of play and/or formation do you prefer?

It depends on the type of players that you have, but I have always felt that having four across the back gives you good attacking and defending balance. That is usually our starting point – we can build from there. As far as a style, I have always felt that being successful at this game means being able to pass and move. We want our players to be sharp on the ball, responsible individual defenders and ready to make quick decisions on the field – with and without the ball.

After 15 years at Cornell, what are some of the things you would like to implement here that you used with the Big Red teams?

Clearly this has been a successful program. I am hoping to learn from our guys as to how they do things and what works best. Certainly I’ll have some ideas on things, but the ball is still round, regardless of where you come from.

In your short time here, what do you feel are the men’s soccer program’s biggest strengths?

The tradition, the passion and the expectations are three things I noticed right off the bat. We’ve got a terrific and engaged group of alums, a passionate, cosmopolitan group of student-athletes, and the ambition to be champions. It’ll take hard work each day to be successful, but that is what we strive for.

UMass Lowell returns 17 players and six starters from its 2008 team and is fresh off one of its best seasons ever. What do you expect from the 2009 squad?

I expect them to work extremely hard every day. There is no substitute for being in a daily competitive environment – that is what forces players to be at their best and is the foundation of great teams. With regards to our expectations, I always tell my teams – expect success, but don’t expect it to be easy.

As defending co-champion of the Northeast-10 Conference and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal round, is there a significant amount of pressure this season?

There is pressure in any competitive environment. You have to be comfortable with that – and I believe that our players are. However, if each one of us can concentrate and focus on being our best everyday in training, then we know we’ll have great chance to win.

As an assistant with the U.S. Under-15 Boys National Team, you have a front row seat to the future of U.S. Soccer. What can we expect from the U.S. Men’s National Team in 10 years?

Hopefully more wins like the Spain game in the Confederations Cup! Being a top soccer-playing country is a long process. If we continue to work throughout the country to facilitate the best environment for our young players, then quality results against teams like Spain at the senior national team level won’t be so shocking.

Can you steer any of those U-15 players to UMass Lowell (joking)?

That would be fun.

Did the U.S. Men’s National Team’s success at the Confederations Cup surprise you?

I don’t think anyone would have predicted the journey that the U.S. had at the Confederations Cup. It was fun to watch.

Now the important things…Which Premiership and MLS teams do you support?

I am an Arsenal fan. As far as MLS teams go, I can’t pick a favorite. I have friends that are involved with a number of teams – that would be like picking your favorite child! I just want the league to continue to do well.

If you could have one striker, one midfielder, one defender and one goalkeeper, active or retired, play alongside you in a World Cup, who would they be?

I’ll keep it relatively modern: Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Paolo Maldini and Peter Cech. That would be a good start.