UCLA coach Jorge Salcedo has hauled in the best recruiting class for the 2004 season according to Soccer America MagazineÆs rankings.

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UCLA. Jorge Salcedo takes over as coach and the Bruins have the top crop again. Kamani Hill is burgeoning into a complete forward. Michael Zaher attacks up the left side and Greg Folk started for the U.S. U-17s. Other new Bruins — Eric Conner, Richard Flores, Edwige Ligonde, Ryan Munoz and Marvell Wynne — would be prized signings for any program.

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WAKE FOREST. In Julian Valentin and Patrick Phelan, coach Jay Vidovich has culled the best freshman central defense tandem in the country. Cooper Bryant, Alimer Gonzalez and Marcus Rein are also quality additions.

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NORTH CAROLINA. Adam Sloustcher's ball winning can control a midfield. Chris Germani is a superb left back and Dax McCarty is extremely versatile. All three hail from U-17 residency. Brooks Griffith, Zach Haines and Stokes Smith add to the attack while Cameron Lewis, Jimmy Holcombe, Andre Sherard and Michael Walters buttress the Tar Heel defense.

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SMU. Crafty Danny Vazquez went to the same Miami high school as former SMU star Luchi Gonzalez, and Coach Schellas Hyndman says, ''We're hoping Danny can do for us what Luchi did.'' Goalkeeper Steve Sanbo proved himself with the U.S. U-17s; Israel Jones is super fast. Philip Calderon, David Gomez, Mark Marion and Tim McRae round out the class.

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SOUTH FLORIDA. Coach George Keifer got one heck of a package deal with shifty U.S. U-17s Rod Hidalgo and Christian Jimenez head an incoming group of nine players.

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STANFORD. After a 3-15-2 season, the Cardinal needed a jump start and got it: Mark Bartlett from New Zealand's U-20 team, Scott Bolkan, Oregon's finest back, South African back Jason Griffith, and Saint Louis transfer Cooper McKee.

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MARYLAND. Midfielder Stephen King is the most versatile new Terp, while Kevin Reiman and Maurice Edu are serious flank threats. Defender Eric Brunner leads the rest.

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DUKE. One day, perhaps even this year, Tomek Charowski and Michael Videira could direct the Blue Devils' center midfield together. Spencer Wadsworth, Zachary Pope and goalkeeper Justin Papadakis are also legitimate contenders for playing time.

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UC SANTA BARBARA. A quartet of transfers — Trey Meek (Indiana), Jonathan Davis (North Carolina), Ivan Becerra (Mission College) and Tino Nunez (Compton College) — complement a freshman class that includes Tyler Rosenlund, Myles Davis and Andrew Proctor from Canada's U-17 team.

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ST. JOHN'S. Goalkeeper Jason Landers and defender Brandon Oot headline this class, which includes forward Justin Abel and defender Chris Carroll.