Q & A WITH BRAD EVANS:

It was a whirlwind November for Brad Evans, the most decorated player in UC Irvine men’s soccer history, who helped the Columbus Crew win the MLS Cup on Nov. 23 to cap his second season in Major League Soccer.

Evans was chosen by the Seattle Sounders FC in Wednesday’s MLS expansion draft.

The Big West Conference Offensive Player of Year in 2006 and 2005, after being named Big West Midfielder of the Year in 2004, Evans said he savored the Anteaters’ unprecedented success this season. UCI earned the program’s first Big West Conference regular-season and tournament titles, its first trip to the NCAA Tournament and its first NCAA Tournament win, before falling, 3-2, to St. John’s in Saturday’s round of 16.

Evans offered his thoughts on these and other topics:

Question: What was it like to win the MLS Cup?

Answer: That day was pretty surreal. It went by in the snap of a finger. But just seeing the looks on the guys’ faces, it was like all the hard work finally paid off. It’s such a long season, we’ve been focusing on that since January.

Q: What are your thoughts on UCI’s unprecedented success this season?

A: I just think they were trying to outdo me. I kept winning games and they kept winning games, too. They made the Sweet 16 and I thought, why not go for broke? It’s awesome for them. I’ve been talking to alumni all around the country and everyone had an eye on [UCI’s] team.

Q: Does this season’s success at UCI in any way make up for the program’s NCAA Tournament snub in 2006?

A: Absolutely! This was kind of a nail in the coffin for me. I can put some things to rest. I was anxious for them all through this season, but they definitely pulled it out. It’s a testament to their hard work.

Q: What is your best individual moment as a pro, aside from winning the MLS Cup?

A: My first goal was pretty special. It was in San Jose. It ended up being a game-winner and that kind of started a good streak for me, confidence-wise. I had been struggling to find my place on the team and that kind of got the ball rolling for me.”

Q: When UCI beat UC Santa Barbara, 4-2, in the Big West Tournament final, did you rub it in to Columbus teammate and former Gaucho Andy Iro?

A: Of course. I laid it on him thick, real thick. I got him riled up every time UC Irvine would win and Santa Barbara would lose. I was out to dinner the night of the [conference final], and when UCI was winning, 4-0, after 40 minutes, I called Andy. I said ‘Andy, it’s already 4-0’ and he said, ‘Oh, my boys are winning?’ I said ‘Nope, sorry.’ But he understands what it takes, and how special it is to have a season like this.

Q: What was it like having former UCI teammate Kenny Schoeni, a reserve goalkeeper, with you in Columbus?

A: It was beautiful and we had a good time. Kenny has been working so hard and he’s really driven to get better. I think they’ve asked him to come back, so I think they see a place for him here. It’s just good for the [UCI] program to have guys like us doing well in this league.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at [email protected].