Lee, Kirk Facing Key Soccer Tests

Thor Lee and Joey Kirk, who helped lead the Cal State Northridge soccer team to a second-place finish in last year’s NCAA Division II tournament, will attempt to further their careers next week.

Lee, of Newbury Park, leaves today for Cleveland where he will participate in the Budweiser Indoor Classic. Sixty college seniors nationwide have been invited to take part in the weeklong event, which includes practice sessions and games in front of coaches from the Major Indoor Soccer League and concludes with the MISL draft.

“I’ve played indoors before, but this will be a good chance to get a better feel for it,” said Lee, an All-American sweeper in 1986. “I’m looking forward to playing well and getting drafted.”

Kirk, an All-American forward who scored 30 goals last season for Northridge, decided to forgo his invitation to Cleveland when he was invited to join the U. S. national team that will compete in the President’s Cup tournament in South Korea on June 20-28.

“I was very surprised when they called me because I didn’t go on a couple trips and I didn’t know where I stood,” said Kirk, who has traveled with the national team to several countries, including South Korea for last year’s President’s Cup.

“People have told me that if you didn’t get asked to go to Korea, than you probably wouldn’t be considered for the Olympic team,” Kirk said. “So, this is a good sign for me.”

Kirk, who lives in Granada Hills, will play in a game against the Ecuadorean national team Sunday in Dallas and return to Los Angeles before departing for South Korea next Tuesday.

“I don’t know if this is going to hurt my chances of getting drafted for the MISL,” Kirk said. “But I’m looking forward to playing well and getting a chance to make the Olympic team.”