One of the reasons why I think the Cal women’s soccer team hasn’t been able to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament is the talent level of the team.

That should change now that the Bears have inked two international players, Icelander Katrin Omarsdottir and Australian Clare Polkinghorne.

Both should bring a wealth of experience to Cal. Omarsdottir has broken into the Iceland Senior National Team and should be a regular sometime in the near future.

Polkinhorne started a couple games in the 2007 World Cup, helping the Aussies get to the quarterfinals for the first time ever.

I think the reason why Cal hasn’t advanced past the round of 16 and has only gotten there once in the last 15 years is because of its lack of talent with experience at the international level.

The Bears work hard. They’re good at what they do. But they always fizzle out. Whether it’s a lack of finishing in the attacking third or getting beat in the midfield, Cal hasn’t been able to match up with the Florida States, North Carolinas and UCLAs of the soccer world.

Sure the schemes and tactics have worked to pull off upset wins over teams like Santa Clara, Stanford and the Bruins. But all the teams that perennially compete in the College Cup are the ones who have talent that competes at the international level.

I’ve said all along that Cal is ready for the next step. This incoming class—which also includes several players who have competed for the United States youth national teams—should give the Bears the ability to take that step.