Sampson Gets Kicks at CSUN

Practice was a kick this week for the Cal State Northridge men’s soccer team . . . in the behind.

Steve Sampson saw to that. The former U.S. men’s national coach visited Northridge on Wednesday and presided over a two-hour, no-nonsense workout as guest mentor of Coach Terry Davila.

Sampson recently declined an offer to become coach of Costa Rica’s national team, deciding to remain in Southern California as technical director of the California Youth Soccer Assn. A resident of Agoura Hills, Sampson roams from one community practice field to another, focusing on the development of local players.

“It’s a tremendous honor to have somebody who’s been involved in two World Cups on the Cal State Northridge soccer field,” Davila said. “He loves helping out the community and he is such a gentleman.”

Sampson greeted university administrators and shook hands with the 19 Northridge players, speaking to each briefly about their background.

He lectured about the importance of physical and mental preparation, and off-season training.

Then it was time to kick up a sweat.

“I want you to give me everything you’ve got in the next hour and 45 minutes,” Sampson said.

Players performed a series of drills under the watchful eye of Sampson, who often interrupted play to drive home a point.

“The hardest work is done away from the ball,” Sampson said.

Players were kept hopping. Those inattentive were assessed five push-ups.

“Am I left-footed or right-footed?” Sampson said to a player after gathering a pass. “You should know by now.”

Sampson said he might one day return to coaching. For now, helping local players develop is keeping him busy and satisfied.

“There is some talent out here, no question,” Sampson said. “Northridge could easily be one of the top Division I schools in the country. They can attract from a large pool of talent.”

Northridge players knew they had had a workout after Sampson left. And they knew a bit more about the game.

“Speaking for the whole team, I know that everyone’s benefited from it,” sophomore Aaron Benditson said. “Hopefully, he’ll stay involved.”

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Patty Del Real, a freshman from Kennedy High at Goldey-Beacon College in Wilmington, Del., was selected softball player of the week in the Central Atlantic Athletic Conference.

She was 4-0 and struck out 19 in 28 innings. Del Real has a 2.50 earned-run average and is batting .298 with four runs batted in.

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Evan Belfi of Oak Park is batting .231 with two doubles, two RBIs, two walks and two runs for Denison College, an NCAA Division III program in Granville, Ohio.

Belfi has started six games for Denison (4-8).