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 College soccer's modern-day Job Virginia's Gelnovatch endures loss of stars to MLS
Posted: Friday August 27, 1999 05:45 PM
He has become the modern-day Job of college soccer. Since he inherited the formidable University of Virginia men's soccer program from Bruce Arena three years ago, coach George Gelnovatch has shown some incredible patience. After all, he has lost not one, not two, not even three, but six players to Major League Soccer's Project-40 the past two years. He could wail to the soccer gods that life is unfair. He could complain publicly that MLS is wrecking another opportunity at a national championship. Instead, Gelnovatch has taken it like a mensch, understanding that Virginia and college soccer are just cogs in the wheel in the wheel of U.S. soccer. Still, it's kind of scary to see the talent Gelnovatch has lost. First to go was midfielder Ben Olsen (D.C. United), who left after his junior year. He was followed by sophomore forward Brian West (Columbus Crew), junior defender Scott Vermillion (Kansas City Wizards), junior forward Mike Green (Kansas City Wizards) and sophomore midfielder Jason Moore (D.C. United). Forward Chris Albright was the latest one to fly the coup, leaving UVA on July 13. He joined United after a trade with the Miami Fusion. Albright's departure turned into a double whammy for Gelnovatch because Moore announced his intentions to turn pro on Dec. 16, 1998. The only downside of Albright's decision was that it came less than two months before the Cavaliers were to kick off their campaign in the always-tough Atlantic Coast Conference. "The earlier I know what these kids are going to do, it's easier for me to replace them," Gelnovatch said. "If I know in October or November, I will be able to fill that void for the most part. "Don't get me wrong. I encouraged Chris to to it. He had my blessing. It all about the players. It's not about me. If we are not going to win games, kids are not going to come here." But instead of complaining, Gelnovatch has looked at the bright side and made no excuses. "It makes my job a little tougher," he said. "That's life. What are you going to do? . . . Some college coaches might say, 'I've got to keep that guy here. I've got to keep my job or I've got to win this.' " "I love nothing more than turning on ESPN and seeing Ben Olsen do well or Chris Albright getting games. I am a college coach. My job is to encourage kids to graduate. I want to do what's right for the family. If his goal is playing professionally, it's the best environment. "I want to see nothing more than this country be competitive in international soccer. I want to see a special player develop in this country. He is walking around there somewhere. The best way for a talented kid to get better is to be in a professional environment." If MLS and Project-40 had been around earlier this decade, Virginia and other schools would have faced similar problems and challenges. Midfielder Claudio Renya, the key player on three Division I championship teams who currently stars for Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League, would have left for the pros early. Reyna did not return for his senior season to play for the U.S. National Team in the 1994 World Cup. "I'm sure Claudio would have left," Gelnovatch said. "I'm sure he wouldn't have gone to college." Virginia's dynasty -- it has won five national championships since 1989 -- would have been in jeopardy as well. "Those players would have lasted two, three years at the most," Gelnovatch aid. "It would have made those championships more challenging." Gelnovatch assessed his six former players (all statistics are through Thursday, Aug. 26):
"I know he was going to be something special. That kid is on his way up. In my opinion, he's going to play a big part on the national team. He has some special things going for him."
"He's not getting positive exposure [playing for a losing team]. I know he's a guy to keep an eye on. He's getting better every day because he's in a professional environment."
"He's going to need a little time. He's on a team of great players. It's not easy to get on the field. Hopefully, he will be on the Olympic team. I imagine next year he'll play more."
"His quality is that he's very fast and athletic as hell. He's a better soccer player playing [professionally]. He needs to work more on his passing and runs. When he came to UVA, he was raw. He has developed a soccer brain. He hopefully will come to develop a spot on the national team."
"That kid -- he still has great potential. He's 6-foot-4 and can run like a deer and jump like crazy. With those tools, all those things should make a big-time player. Mike has to be more serious about soccer. In a given game, he'll be unbelievable. You'll say he was something else and in another game he wouldn't look so good. You can talk to someone until you're blue in the face that he can be a professional player. It is my hope that being in a professional environment that that will make or break Mike."
"Coming in late is not the easiest thing in the world. It's very difficult. D.C. has a very high regard for Chris. They say this kid is going to be a great player. Thomas [Rongen, United coach] is doing a very good job at getting him spots. You can bring a kid along too quickly sometimes." UVA still ranks high: And don't fret too much for Virginia, because the Cavaliers are expected to be competitive again -- they are tied with Stanford for third place in the CNN/SI Pre-Season Super Poll. Gelnovatch has five returning starters and an excellent freshman class as well, boosted by freshman forward Ryan Gibbs -- that's Gibbs, and not Giggs, the Manchester United winger. If there was a player who has Project-40 potential, it's freshman midfielder Kyle Martino. "For me right now, Martino is a special player," Gelnovatch said. "He's very gifted. He's fast and quick. Some things have to happen for him, such as weight training. He has to mature. He's certainly a candidate." The recruiting class of 2000 looks even better, and Gelnovatch is resigned to the fact he probably will lose those players as well someday. "They're very talented," Gelnovatch said. "If we get two or three of those players, they could be on a list of guys who can leave possibly after two or three years." It looks like the Job of soccer will be tested again and again. Michael Lewis covers soccer for the New York Daily News and is editor of Soccer Magazine. To submit a question or comment to Michael Lewis, click here.
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