SPEEDY TURNAROUND : GALAXY'S FRASER DIDN'T CARE ABOUT SOCCER, UNTIL HE MADE THE U.S. TEAM - AND A . . .

Byline: Tom Timmermann Daily News Deputy Sports Editor 

Most soccer players reach the sport's higher levels because of hard work. The Galaxy's Robin Fraser got it backward: He became a hard worker only after he reached the top.

It wasn't until Fraser earned a spot on the U.S. national team - the achievement of a lifetime for most players - that he realized how much work he needed to do to fulfill his potential. It's been five years since Fraser last played for the national team, and he has survived the sport's years in the desert and has proved himself to be one of the top defenders in the first two months of the Major League Soccer season.

``I figured once I got to the national team, I'd be around all the best players and the practices would be a piece of cake,'' Fraser said. ``Instead, they were the most intense I'd ever seen. Then it dawned on me that they were the best players in the nation because they worked hard.

``It changed completely my approach to soccer. My attitude was completely different from when I was a 17-year-old. And luckily, I still had two years of college left.''

Fraser learned his lessons well enough to make 15 appearances with the national team over four years. With a new fervor for the game, he lasted six seasons in the relative anonymity of the APSL (now the A-League) before getting a chance in Major League Soccer.

The road to MLS began for Fraser in Jamaica, where he was born in 1966. When he was 10, his parents, worried about the political environment at home, moved the family to Miami. He played AYSO soccer in a league his father started and attended Florida International University, where he just about stumbled onto the U.S. national team.

Coached at the time by Galaxy coach Lothar Osiander, the U.S. team was training at FIU. Fraser had been complaining to his college coach about FIU players not getting a chance with the national team. He was a promising collegiate player - at a time when that was all the United States had on its soccer team - and he got a look from Osiander.

``I liked his personality, his speed,'' said Osiander. ``He can fly a little. I always thought a lot of the talent at Florida International, especially 10 years ago. Ten years ago we were looking everywhere for players.''

Osiander called Fraser in for the 1988 Olympic team and again for the national team, but each time Fraser suffered a broken tibia and had to leave the team.

Fraser didn't make the 1990 World Cup team but coach Bob Gansler brought him back later, when the United States played a series of exhibition matches. From there, it was on to the A-League and the Colorado Foxes, and Fraser became a mainstay in Denver.

But Osiander, who got another look at him while coaching the Atlanta Ruckus of the A-League last season, never forgot Fraser.

From the moment Osiander became coach of the Galaxy, the one player he talked about getting was Fraser, who would have preferred to be drafted by the Colorado Rapids. That team had the No. 3 pick, but went for forward Ted Eck, so Osiander got his wish and grabbed Fraser with the No. 4 choice.

``It's a new adventure,'' Fraser said of coming to Los Angeles. ``It's been an unbelievable adventure. I'm so happy to be here and playing for Lothar has been great.''

Great could describe Fraser's play as well. As the Galaxy's sweeper, the last line of defense before goalkeeper Jorge Campos, Fraser has been a solid anchor for the Galaxy defense, which has allowed fewer goals than any team in the league. In the first month of the season, Fraser was the top-rated defender in the league by Soccer America magazine.

``He's a great player in my eyes,'' said fellow defender Dan Calichman. ``He's someone who's a great leader and someone young players can look up to. He's got a lot of experience and he's fast as anything. Even if he doesn't read a play right, he can catch up to anything.''

Fraser wouldn't mind getting another shot at the national team and envisions himself playing until he's 35. After that, he would like to be a coach. He already has his USSF coaching license and coached youth teams in Denver.

Osiander was one of the instructors when Fraser took the classes for his license.

``He'll be an outstanding coach,'' Osiander said. ``He's not mature enough yet, but he'll be there.''

``Now, I look forward to practice and look forward to playing,'' Fraser said. ``I've kept playing because I love it.''

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PHOTO (color) Robin Fraser says he's happy to be playing ag ain for coach Lothar Osiander.

Myung J. Chun/Daily News