Taking the bull by the horns

David Beckham's high-profile move to Major League Soccer in July has seen media attention for America's young league skyrocket in recent weeks.

But Penn soccer fans, at least, have had something else to cheer for this summer.

Former Quakers goalkeeper Danny Cepero and his MLS team, the New York Red Bulls, are in the midst of an exciting season with playoff and championship aspirations. Although the 2007 Penn graduate has yet to see any action in an official game, he has already cleared several hurdles and some lucky breaks may have put him in line to clear the next one.

The journey began before Cepero had even left Penn with a diploma in hand. Picked up by New York in the fourth round of MLS' supplemental draft, the unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection juggled the last of his academic responsibilities and signed a one-year deal.

"He's a guy that worked very hard to get where he was at Penn," said Penn coach Rudy Fuller, who has kept up regular correspondence with his former standout. "So while it's exciting, it isn't surprising to see him stick. I said all along, when he was going to the combines and tryouts, that all I wanted to do was help him get his foot in the door. I was confident that once he had the opportunity, he was going to take advantage of it."

As the third goalkeeper listed on the roster to start the season, it was difficult to imagine Cepero patrolling the goal under the lights of Giants Stadium anytime soon. But an injury to veteran starter Ronald Waterreus has inched Cepero closer to that threshold.

The blow was a serious setback to a team that had gotten off to a blistering start, but it certainly has ushered in its share of benefits for the rookie keeper.

Now, for the time being, Cepero is listed second behind starter Jon Conway. Now Cepero sits on the bench and is included as an eligible substitute for all of the Red Bulls' games.

"His all-around game has definitely improved since he first joined our team," Red Bulls goalkeeper coach Des McAleenan said. "Most recently, with the injury to Ronald, he's had a chance to not just train, but play everyday in small-sided games."

In addition to the increased training opportunities, Waterreus' injury has also made Cepero the starting goalie for the team's reserve squad, which plays 12 games over the course of the season against other reserve squads in an effort to get young players like Cepero some quality game experience

"The games are pretty high quality," Cepero said. "When it comes down to it, it's the same guys who are practicing day in and day out with the full team."

This has helped ease what, predictably, has been a rocky transition for the rookie. Cepero cites lifestyle changes that come with professional soccer's six-month season, as well as the increased pace of MLS play, as changes he has had to cope with since joining New York.

"For me, personally, it has been a pretty big adjustment," he said. "It was tough for me at first, but you gradually start to improve."

While Cepero continues his quest for success at the next level, he has not lost sight of his former team. He has stayed in touch with the Quakers coaches and players since he left Penn, and was even in Philadelphia last weekend to visit some old teammates.

"They ask me questions and I try to impart some wisdom upon them, but it's not like I'm an expert in soccer," he said. "For me to come into the league and have a measure of success . I hope it reflects on the program I came from because a large part of the values and playing experience that I got from Penn is the reason that I'm here."

Fuller also sees the two-sided benefits coming from Cepero's success.

"It's exciting for everybody associated with our program," Fuller said. "It's a tremendous compliment to Penn Soccer overall that we have guys coming through our program that now have that opportunity."

Despite all that Cepero has accomplished thus far, he would be the first to express his disappointment if this was as far as he ever got. But the questions many are now asking are the most difficult to answer.

When will Cepero get into an MLS game? What will happen when his contract expires at the end of this season? What does the future hold for Danny Cepero?

"I think he has talent, but nobody could for sure tell the future unless you give him more opportunities to play," he said. "His opportunities have been limited and he's done well in the reserve games. I've been pleased with him and he's definitely going in the right direction."

Cepero, too, knows he still has a long road ahead of him.

"I'm in no rush," he said. "I understand that there is a lot to learn. . It's a gradual progression as most of the stuff that I've come to learn is. With that in mind, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can at this point and start to feel, as I did in college, like the decisions I was making on the field and the things I was doing off the field were just automatic."

Those following Cepero will have to be patient in the years to come. Nothing is guaranteed, and no one knows that better than his former coach.

"Now, I think he's just waiting for his opportunity," Fuller said. "It probably isn't going to come this year, but hopefully he's done well enough to kind of cement his place on the team for the next few years, and he can start working up the ladder."

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