Danny Barrera last season showed he had durability to go with his skill on the soccer field.
Barrera didn’t miss a game last season and was named the Midfielder of the Year in the Big West Conference.
The junior caught the attention of the staff at College Soccer News as the online publication named him to its preseason All-America team. Barrera is a second-team pick and one of only five players from West Coast schools to be recognized among the list of 33 players from around the country.
Barrera scored five goals and had eight assists in helping the Gauchos post a 17-5-2 record and reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament — their eighth straight postseason appearance.
Barrera is one of nine returning starters for the Gauchos, who have been ranked No. 6 in CSN’s preseason poll.
Senior defender Bobby Warsaw of Stanford was the lone West Coast player named to the preseason All-America first team.
A.J. Soares, a senior defender from California, joins Barrera on the second team.
Third-team picks from the west are senior midfielders Ernesto Carranza of Sacramento State and Rafael Baca of Loyola Marymount.
UCSB, which is hosting the NCAA Men’s College Cup, Dec. 10-12, opens its season Aug. 21 with an exhibition match against Westmont College.
