UCI’s Garcia chosen All-American

UC Irvine senior Irving Garcia has earned additional All-American honors in men’s soccer.

Garcia, who helped lead the Anteaters to their second straight Big West Conference Tournament title and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, was named second-team All-American by College Soccer News. He was a National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America third-team pick.

Garcia, a midfielder and forward, led Big West players in points (25) and assists (nine) and was second in goals (eight), en route to capturing Big West Offensive Player of the Year laurels.

Garcia was previously recognized first-team All-American by TopDrawerSoccer.com and was a second-team honoree on Goal.com’s All-American selections.

Garcia, who played two seasons after earning All-American honors at Yavapai Community College in Arizona, was a Soccer America second-team All-American as a junior. In 2008, Garcia had seven goals and nine assists to help the Anteaters win the program’s first conference regular-season crown and advance to the round of 16 in the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.

He was also a first-team all-conference honoree as a junior.

Garcia has been invited to participate in the 2010 adidas Major League Soccer player combine. He is among 62 players invited to take part in the combine, Jan. 8 through 12 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Coaches and team executives from all 16 MLS teams will be scouting players for the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, Jan. 14 in Philadelphia.

— From staff reports