McAthy prefers to make a splash on soccer fields

Living a couple of blocks from the ocean in Huntington Beach, Kyle McAthy must repeatedly explain to his friends why he has yet to embrace the city’s most popular sports activity, surfing.

“They always wonder why,” McAthy said. “My best friend is a surfer and tells me to come out, but I’d rather be on the soccer field.”

For all those soccer enthusiasts who complain about boys dropping the sport once they reach their teenage years to pursue other interests, McAthy is the one who didn’t get away.

One week from today, he plans to sign a letter of intent with UCLA, the NCAA runner-up last season, and enter Westwood next fall as the Bruins’ No. 1 recruit.

He has been a goal-scoring machine at Huntington Beach High, where two older brothers, Aaron and Drew, were soccer standouts and went on to play for UC Santa Barbara.

As a junior, McAthy scored 22 goals. As a senior, he has 20. He needs two more to set the school career scoring record held by his brother, Aaron, who finished with 48 in 1998.

The McAthy brothers are soccer fanatics, with all three boys having played since they were 5. Kyle has posters of David Beckham all over his walls at home.

“He’s always the idol I’ve wanted to be,” he said. “It’s cool he’s coming to my hometown.”

Still, McAthy’s older brothers have had a bigger impact on him. Eight and six years older than their baby brother, the McAthys were once teammates at Huntington Beach, and Kyle would sit on a soccer ball on the sideline, paying close attention.

“They’re a big inspiration in my life,” he said.

All that knowledge gained by watching his brothers comes through in the way McAthy plays the game.

“He knows more than your average high school player and even premier player,” Coach Matt Moseley said. “He’s physically gifted, but what it comes down to is his knowledge. He knows the spaces to be in to make the right plays. He knows where the holes are on the field. He knows when to crack a shot.”

Despite being judged good enough to earn a college scholarship, McAthy learned an important lesson not long ago.

“You don’t give up,” he said.

He remembers when he wasn’t the best player on his team.

“When I was 13 or 14, I was probably the weakest player on my club team and was thinking of quitting,” he said. “I think I was growing into my body. I started getting better and better. It’s patience. It took me a while, but it came to me.”

The 6-foot McAthy has twice scored three goals in games against Huntington Beach Marina and Los Alamitos.

“I’m not the trickiest, flashiest player in the world,” he said. “You don’t see me beating three guys. I try to be at the right place at the right time. I might not score the prettiest goals, but I score.”

His choosing UCLA made for some awkward family moments, especially last month when the Bruins played Santa Barbara for the NCAA title in St. Louis.

All three McAthy brothers went to a restaurant to watch the game on television. The older brothers rooted for their alma mater, and Kyle supported the Bruins. Santa Barbara won, 2-1.

“I was trying to cheer for UCLA,” McAthy said. “I was kind of silent the whole day. I was hoping to do more trash talking. They gave me a hard time.”

Soon, McAthy will be off to college, and the question is whether his brothers are ready to change their soccer allegiance.

“They tell me they’ll root for me as soon as I get on the field,” McAthy said. “We’ll see.”

McAthy, however, is looking forward to the soccer challenges ahead.

“I know my work is going to be cut out for me, but it’s worth it,” he said. “If you succeed at UCLA, there’s nothing better.”

Except for surfing, according to his friends.

“I guess I’m the odd one out,” he said.

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com