CLUB TAKES A KICK; SOCCER TEAM BREAKS OFF FROM UNITED.

Byline: Patrick Hipes Daily News Staff Writer

And then, there were four.

In 1988, the soccer powers that be in Santa Clarita, led by physical therapist and father of three Larry Sulham, created Santa Clarita United.

It was the first organized club in the region, and it spent the next number of years gaining experience, recognition and respect in Southern California. Sometimes it was futile, what with the established, successful Valley United club in the San Fernando Valley stealing both headlines and Santa Clarita's best players.

``Five or six years ago, Santa Clarita United was not respected in soccer circles,'' Canyon High girls' soccer coach Gregg Cohen said. ``Now, it's harder to find a more dominant area. It's definitely growing.''

But with success and word-of-mouth comes shifting tides of philosophy. The core conflict in club programs is this: is success translated into wins versus losses, or the development of the player?

In Santa Clarita's case, the problem was unsolvable to the point where United is no longer the sole club representing the area.

After United's under-12 girls' team won a recent cup, it folded and will return as an under-13 side in a newly formed club - Santa Clarita Valley Soccer Club.

The formation brings to date three teams that have shot off from United's embrace. The aptly named Exiles and Santa Clarita Elite have created their own clubs in their own way. United had 20 teams in 1997, the number down to 17 this season.

``One of the reasons we lost several teams recently was that coaches didn't realize that we want a club that is a true club,'' Sulham said. ``We want a program, a progression from young to old. That's what were trying to do.''

To that end, United has brought in coaches with a decidedly international flavor, in hopes to instill the philosophy that has succeeded in Europe with high-profile youth systems like Ajax in Holland and Manchester United in England.

United has agreed to terms with Occidental College coach Costa Nicolau, a South African, to head the coaching staff of the club. In addition, Nigerian internationals Bola Oduwole and Tetteh Okonkwo are on staff, as is Raymond Lodge, a former English Premier League player with Middlesborough and Newcastle United.

The experienced coaches are one reason other teams have left.

``You have so many groups that wanted to do their own thing,'' said Greg Tilson, a United coach and director of Prestige Soccer Academy. ``The problem is, some people had an agenda to benefit themselves.''

Right or wrong, the split has hurt the area. The best soccer players are often split up among the clubs, diluting the talent for the major summer-club tournaments like the Surf Cup in San Deigo.

``If we had one major club in the region, we'd be a powerhouse,'' Tilson said. ``Eventually, I think parents and players will see this and will trickle back.''