For the incoming Class of 2011, tonight will be the first of many chances to play under the lights and in front of fans at Klöckner Stadium as the Cavaliers take on South Florida.
"South Florida is a really strong team, and I think everyone's just geared up and ready to get out there," co-captain and senior defender Matt Williams said.
Indeed, two years ago South Florida proved itself a worthy opponent.The Cavaliers and the Bulls met in the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament and were knotted at 4 after 110 minutes; Virginia squeezed through to the third round in penalty kicks.
Tonight's contest is Virginia's last preseason match-up before facing Columbia in the season opener. Consequently, this game is a critical part of the team's preparation and will allow the coaching staff to assess where the Cavaliers stand currently and how much they need to progress before next Friday.
"We should have had a [full] game against VCU last weekend which would have helped us take a closer look at things, but it was called because of weather," Virginia coach George Gelnovatch said. "When this game is over, I will have a lot of good information about this Virginia team."
That team now welcomes freshmen midfielders Jason Kim, David Newman, Jimmy Simpson, and Henry Tembon; defenders T.J. Cyrus, Colin Givens, and Greg Monaco; and goalkeeper Dan Louisignau.Together, these eight comprise one of the highest-ranked incoming classes in the nation.
Before coming together as Cavaliers, many of these young men played together in one capacity or another.Givens, Cyrus, Simpson and Louisignau were all members of the United States' U-18 National Team; Cyrus and Simpson were teammates on the Virginia State squad and Monaco and Cyrus both attended Norfolk Academy.
"We have a talented returning group and a talented incoming class -- it is just a good unit," Gelnovatch said. "The nice thing about our team is that I don't think we have to count on these freshmen for immediate impact and that is beneficial developmentally -- to not be put under the gun, under that kind of pressure, at least right away. They all are very talented and will play an important role on the team -- we just have to find out as the season goes on where that is."
At least one freshman, however, is already pretty sure of his new role as center back defender. Cyrus is slated to fill the shoes of Bakary Soumare, the Cavaliers' former center back defender and the second overall Major League Soccer draft pick last year.
As a member of Virginia's Olympic Development Program for five years, captain of the Virginia state team for two years and the 2006 NSCAA Virginia State Player of the Year, Cyrus certainly has the credentials.
"Colin [Givens] is another candidate for the position, but T.J. [Cyrus] played 30 minutes against VCU and he is looking good," Gelnovatch said. "He is a little undersized height-wise for that position, but his athleticism, skill, pace and strength are all making up for that right now."
Gelnovatch will use tonight's game to further evaluate Cyrus' performance on the Cavalier back line. Kickoff against the Bulls is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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