| Virginia Cavaliers men's soccer | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 2025 Virginia Cavaliers men's soccer team | |||
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| Founded | 1941; 84 years ago (1941) | ||
| University | University of Virginia | ||
| Athletic director | Carla Williams | ||
| Head coach | George Gelnovatch (29th season) | ||
| Conference | ACC Coastal Division | ||
| Location | Charlottesville,Virginia | ||
| Stadium | Klöckner Stadium (Capacity: 7,100) | ||
| Nickname | Cavaliers, Wahoos | ||
| Colors | Orange and blue[1] | ||
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| NCAA Tournament championships | |||
| 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2009, 2014 | |||
| NCAA Tournament runner-up | |||
| 1997, 2019 | |||
| NCAA Tournament College Cup | |||
| 1983, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2019 | |||
| NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals | |||
| 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2019 | |||
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |||
| 1969, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | |||
| Conference Tournament championships | |||
| 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2019 | |||
| Conference Regular Season championships | |||
| 1969, 1970, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2010, 2019 | |||
TheVirginia Cavaliers men's soccer team represent theUniversity of Virginia in allNCAA Division I men'ssoccer competitions. TheVirginia Cavaliers are a member of theAtlantic Coast Conference.
Virginia has an extensive reputation as one of the most elite collegiate soccer programs of the United States.[2] The program has produced several prominentUnited States national team players such asClaudio Reyna,John Harkes,Jeff Agoos,Ben Olsen, andTony Meola. Future U.S. national team coachBruce Arena coached Virginia to five College Cup titles in a six-year period during the 1980s and 1990s, and his protégéGeorge Gelnovatch has since guided the Cavaliers to sixCollege Cups and four championship games, winning two of them.[3]
The Cavaliers made the College Cup tournament bracket fora record 39 consecutive years, which ended in 2020, the most of any team in the history of the sport. The program has won seven NCAA Championships (1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2009, 2014) and have the most national titles of any program since 1990. Virginiaranks third overall in the sport's championship history since 1959.
The University of Virginia first fielded a varsity men's soccer team in 1941 as a member of theIntercollegiate Soccer Football Association. In their first season, the team posted a winless record, losing all nine of their matches. TheAtlantic Coast Conference added soccer in 1955, followed by the firstNCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship in 1959. The team made their first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 1969.
Bruce Arena became Virginia's soccer and assistantlacrosse coach in 1978, moving exclusively to soccer in 1985. The Cavaliers' first tournament victory, overWilliam and Mary in1983 (a team featuring future comedianJon Stewart), sparked a run to their first College Cup appearance.
The Cavaliers have qualified for the NCAA tournament every year since 1981; those 39 appearances are a record for men's soccer and one of the longest streaks in any NCAA sport. Their apex came in the late 1980s to early 1990s under Arena, when the team won five national collegiate championships in the span of six years. FutureU.S. men's national team stars such asJohn Harkes andClaudio Reyna were members of these championship teams.
Virginia's first championship, in1989, came in one of the most famous games in the history of college soccer. Played atRutgers University on December 3 againstSanta Clara, thewind chill was ten degrees below zero at kickoff and fell further during the game. Virginia led the defensive slugfest 1–0 before a rare mistake fromCurt Onalfo in the 84th minute allowed Santa Clara to send the game to overtime. As NCAA rules had recently changed to limit games to one 30-minute overtime followed by a 30-minute sudden-death period – after the1985 final required eight 10-minute extra periods – and did not allow penalty kicks in the final, Virginia and Santa Clara were declared co-champions when the game remained tied 1–1 after 150 minutes.[4]
The Cavaliers went on to win the1991,1992,1993, and1994 editions of the tournament, and as the first overall seed were upset in the semifinals in1995. The four consecutive championships remains an NCAA record; no other team managed even three in a row untilStanford did so in2017.
Arena departed for the new men's professional leagueMajor League Soccer in 1996, where he ledD.C. United to threeMLS Cup titles, twoSupporters' Shields and aCONCACAF Champions League title. He was replaced by longtime assistantGeorge Gelnovatch, who remains the coach today. Gelnovatch returned the team to the1997 final, where they lost 2–0 toUCLA.
After a string of early-round exits in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the team returned to the College Cup in2006 and the national championship game in2009. Playing against the upstartAkron Zips that year, the Cavaliers were able to prevail in a penalty kick shootout to claim their sixth NCAA title, and their first national championship since the Arena years. Virginia added a seventh NCAA championship by defeating UCLA in a shootout in the2014 tournament.
One of the earliestsoccer-specific stadiums in college soccer, the Virginia Cavaliers men's soccer team plays their home matches at the 8,000-seaterKlöckner Stadium. Since its opening in 1997, the Cavaliers have enjoyed some of the highest reported attendance figures in American college soccer.
The stadium has 3,600 grandstand seats along with an additional 3,400 grass seats. It is shared with thewomen's soccer team, as well as themen's andwomen's lacrosse teams.[5]
Both UVA and Maryland have NCAA Championship programs in men's soccer. The Virginia Cavaliers have won seven NCAA Championships to Maryland's four. When they were both in theAtlantic Coast Conference, some cited the rivalry between the Cavaliers and theMaryland Terrapins as one of the most bitter rivalries in college soccer.[6] In 2011, FirstPoint USA rated the rivalry as the third best rivalry in college soccer.[7]
The Terrapins' departure to theBig Ten has put the annual rivalry on hiatus. Maryland recorded a 1–0 victory in the2015 NCAA tournament and No. 12 Virginia dethroned No. 1 Maryland, 2–0, in a regular season game on September 2, 2019, helping Virginia to take over the No. 1 ranking weeks later.
As intra-conference members, and having a longstanding rivalry, another one of the top rivals of the Virginia Cavaliers is theVirginia Tech Hokies. The series between the two hasbeen heavily dominated by the Cavaliers, who boast a 31–2–5 record and 14-match unbeaten streak against the Hokies.[8][9]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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George Gelnovatch (1983–1986) – Currently head coach ofVirginiaJeff Agoos* (1986–1990) – Currently president and general manager ofPortland Thorns FCKris Kelderman (1987–1990) – Currently head coach ofUniversity of MilwaukeeRichie Williams (1988–1991) – Currently head coach ofNew England Revolution IIBrad Agoos (1989–1992) – Currently head coach ofBlack Rock FCClint Peay (1991–1995) – Currently assistant coach coach ofNew England RevolutionBen Olsen* (1995–1997) – Currently head coach ofHouston Dynamo FCMatt Chulis (1995–1998) – Currently associate head coach ofVirginiaKyle Martino* (1999–2002) – Currently soccer analyst forNBC SportsKenny Arena (1999–2002) – Currently assistant coach ofFC CincinnatiHunter Freeman (2002–2004) – Currently Director of Scouting ofFC CincinnatiChris Tierney (2004–2007) – Currently Assistant Sporting Director ofNew England RevolutionBrian Ownby (2008–2011) – Currently withLouisville City FCCalle Brown (2010–2014) – Currently withNorthern Virginia FCJake Rozhansky (2014–2015) – Currently withNew York City FC II
Peter Pearson* (2014–2016) – Currently withDes Moines Menace andSaint Lucia international
Derrick Etienne* (2015) – Currently withToronto FC andHaiti internationalTerrell Lowe (2016) – Currently withPDX FC
Sergi Nus (2016–2018) – Currently withSouth Georgia Tormenta FCColin Shutler (2016–2020) – Currently withOrange County SC
Joe Bell* (2017–2019) – Currently withViking FK andNew Zealand internationalHenry Kessler* (2017–2019) – Currently withSt. Louis City SC
Irakoze Donasiyano* (2017–2020) – Currently withOakland Roots SCDaryl Dike* (2018–2019) – Currently withWest Bromwich Albion F.C.Daniel Steedman (2018–2019) – Currently withSouth Georgia Tormenta FCBret Halsey (2018–2020) – Currently withFC CincinnatiAlex Rando (2020) – Currently withNew York City FC
Oliver Gerbig* (2020–2021) – Currently withHenan F.C. andHong Kong international
Leo Afonso (2020–2023) – Currently withInter Miami CFAidan O'Connor – Currently withNew York Red Bulls II* – Player has represented their country at the senior national team level
Updated January 26, 2024[10]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | George Gelnovatch |
| Associate Head Coach | Matt Chulis |
| Associate Head Coach | Adam Perron |
| Assistant coach | Jermaine Birriel |
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1941–1950 | Lawrence Ludwig |
| 1951–1953 | Hugh Moomaw |
| 1954 | Wilson Fewster |
| 1955–1957 | Robert Sandell |
| 1958–1965 | Gene Corrigan |
| 1966–1970 | Gordon Burris |
| 1971–1973 | Jim Stephens |
| 1974–1977 | Larry Gross |
| 1978–1995 | Bruce Arena |
| 1996–present | George Gelnovatch |
Source:[12]
| Season | Coach | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia(Independent)(1941–1953) | |||||||||
| 1941 | Lawrence Ludwig | 0–9–0 | |||||||
| 1942 | Lawrence Ludwig | 4–2–1 | |||||||
| 1943–1945 | No team due toWorld War II | ||||||||
| 1946 | Lawrence Ludwig | 1–3–1 | |||||||
| 1947 | Lawrence Ludwig | 2–7–2 | |||||||
| 1948 | Lawrence Ludwig | 3–7–1 | |||||||
| 1949 | Lawrence Ludwig | 5–5–0 | |||||||
| 1950 | Lawrence Ludwig | 4–5–1 | |||||||
| 1951 | Hugh Moomaw | 1–5–2 | |||||||
| 1952 | Hugh Moomaw | 5–2–2 | |||||||
| 1953 | Hugh Moomaw | 4–4–1 | |||||||
| Virginia(ACC)(1953–present) | |||||||||
| 1954 | Wilson Fewster | 2–4–2 | 1–1–2 | 4th | |||||
| 1955 | Robert Sandell | 3–5–2 | 1–2–1 | 3rd | |||||
| 1956 | Robert Sandell | 6–3–0 | 3–1–0 | 2nd | |||||
| 1957 | Robert Sandell | 5–2–1 | 2–1–1 | 2nd | |||||
| 1958 | Gene Corrigan | 5–4–0 | 1–3–0 | 4th | |||||
| 1959 | Gene Corrigan | 3–4–2 | 2–2–0 | 3rd | |||||
| 1960 | Gene Corrigan | 3–7–0 | 1–3–0 | 4th | |||||
| 1961 | Gene Corrigan | 9–3–0 | 1–3–0 | 4th | VISA Champions | ||||
| 1962 | Gene Corrigan | 5–4–1 | 1–3–0 | 4th | VISA Champions | ||||
| 1963 | Gene Corrigan | 7–2–1 | 2–1–1 | 2nd | VISA Champions | ||||
| 1964 | Gene Corrigan | 4–5–2 | 0–4–0 | 5th | |||||
| 1965 | Gene Corrigan | 3–6–1 | 2–2–0 | 3rd | |||||
| 1966 | Gordon Burris | 0–10–0 | 0–4–0 | 6th | |||||
| 1967 | Gordon Burris | 3–9–0 | 0–4–0 | 6th | |||||
| 1968 | Gordon Burris | 4–5–1 | 1–3–1 | 6th | |||||
| 1969 | Gordon Burris | 9–1–2 | 4–0–1 | 1st | VISA co-champions NCAA First Round | ||||
| 1970 | Gordon Burris | 8–2–1 | 3–1–0 | 1st | VISA Champions | ||||
| 1971 | Jim Stephens | 7–5–1 | 1–3–1 | 6th | |||||
| 1972 | Jim Stephens | 8–3–3 | 1–2–2 | 4th | |||||
| 1973 | Jim Stephens | 6–7–0 | 1–4–0 | 6th | |||||
| 1974 | Larry Gross | 5–4–3 | 3–2–0 | 3rd | |||||
| 1975 | Larry Gross | 5–8–0 | 0–5–0 | 6th | |||||
| 1976 | Larry Gross | 8–6–2 | 2–2–1 | 3rd | |||||
| 1977 | Larry Gross | 12–6–1 | 2–3–0 | 4th | VISA Champions | ||||
| 1978 | Bruce Arena | 9–2–2 | 3–2–0 | 3rd | |||||
| 1979 | Bruce Arena | 12–4–1 | 3–1–1 | 3rd | NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 1980 | Bruce Arena | 8–9–1 | 2–3–1 | 5th | |||||
| 1981 | Bruce Arena | 10–6–2 | 2–4–0 | 6th | VISA Champions NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 1982 | Bruce Arena | 16–2–2 | 3–1–2 | 3rd | VISA Champions NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 1983 | Bruce Arena | 16–5–0 | 5–1–0 | 1st | NCAA College Cup | ||||
| 1984 | Bruce Arena | 19–3–1 | 6–0–0 | 1st | VISA Champions NCAA Quarterfinals | ||||
| 1985 | Bruce Arena | 15–4–1 | 4–1–1 | 2nd | NCAA First Round | ||||
| 1986 | Bruce Arena | 17–2–2 | 6–0–0 | 1st | NCAA First Round | ||||
| 1987 | Bruce Arena | 17–3–2 | 5–0–1 | 1st | ACC Semifinals[a] NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 1988 | Bruce Arena | 18–1–3 | 5–0–1 | 1st | ACC Champions NCAA Quarterfinals | ||||
| 1989 | Bruce Arena | 21–2–2 | 5–0–1 | 1st | NCAA co-champions | ||||
| 1990 | Bruce Arena | 12–6–6 | 3–2–1 | 3rd | NCAA Third Round | ||||
| 1991 | Bruce Arena | 19–1–2 | 5–1–0 | 1st | ACC Champions NCAA Champions | ||||
| 1992 | Bruce Arena | 21–2–1 | 5–1–0 | 1st | ACC Champions NCAA Champions | ||||
| 1993 | Bruce Arena | 22–3–0 | 4–2–0 | 3rd | ACC Champions NCAA Champions | ||||
| 1994 | Bruce Arena | 22–3–1 | 4–2–0 | 2nd | ACC Champions NCAA Champions | ||||
| 1995 | Bruce Arena | 21–1–2 | 4–0–2 | 1st | ACC Champions NCAA College Cup | ||||
| 1996 | George Gelnovatch | 16–3–3 | 4–0–2 | 1st | NCAA First Round | ||||
| 1997 | George Gelnovatch | 19–4–3 | 3–1–2 | 2nd | ACC Champions NCAA Runners-Up | ||||
| 1998 | George Gelnovatch | 16–4–3 | 4–1–1 | 2nd | NCAA Quarterfinals | ||||
| 1999 | George Gelnovatch | 14–9–1 | 1–4–1 | 6th | NCAA Quarterfinals | ||||
| 2000 | George Gelnovatch | 17–6–1 | 5–1–0 | 1st | NCAA Quarterfinals | ||||
| 2001 | George Gelnovatch | 17–2–1 | 6–0–0 | 1st | NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 2002 | George Gelnovatch | 15–7–0 | 3–3–0 | 4th | NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 2003 | George Gelnovatch | 11–10–2 | 3–3–0 | 3rd | NCAA Third Round | ||||
| 2004 | George Gelnovatch | 18–5–1 | 4–3–1 | 4th | NCAA Quarterfinals | ||||
| 2005 | George Gelnovatch | 12–5–3 | 6–2–0 | 2nd | NCAA Third Round | ||||
| 2006 | George Gelnovatch | 17–4–1 | 5–3–0 | 3rd | NCAA College Cup | ||||
| 2007 | George Gelnovatch | 12–8–2 | 1–5–2 | 8th | NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 2008 | George Gelnovatch | 11–9–1 | 4–4–0 | 4th | NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 2009 | George Gelnovatch | 19–3–3 | 4–3–1 | 5th | NCAA Champions | ||||
| 2010 | George Gelnovatch | 11–6–3 | 2–4–2 | 6th | NCAA First Round | ||||
| 2011 | George Gelnovatch | 12–8–1 | 4–3–1 | 3rd | ACC Semifinals NCAA First Round | ||||
| 2012 | George Gelnovatch | 10–7–1 | 3–4–1 | 6th | ACC Semifinals NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 2013 | George Gelnovatch | 13–6–5 | 4–3–4 | 6th | ACC Runners-up NCAA College Cup | ||||
| 2014 | George Gelnovatch | 13–6–4 | 3–3–2 | 4th, Coastal | ACC Quarterfinals NCAA Champions | ||||
| 2015 | George Gelnovatch | 10–5–3 | 4–2–2 | 3rd, Coastal | ACC Quarterfinals NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 2016 | George Gelnovatch | 10–3–5 | 4–2–3 | 2nd, Coastal | ACC Quarterfinals NCAA Third Round | ||||
| 2017 | George Gelnovatch | 13–4–5 | 3–2–3 | 3rd, Coastal | ACC Runners-up NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 2018 | George Gelnovatch | 10–4–3 | 3–2–2 | 3rd, Coastal | ACC First Round NCAA Third Round | ||||
| 2019 | George Gelnovatch | 21–1–2 | 6–1–1 | 1st, Coastal | ACC Champions NCAA Runners-Up | ||||
| 2020 | George Gelnovatch | 7–8–1 | 4–7–1 | 4th, North, 4th Coastal | ACC Semifinals | ||||
| 2021 | George Gelnovatch | 6–9–3 | 2–5–1 | 6th Coastal | ACC First Round | ||||
| 2022 | George Gelnovatch | 10–4–5 | 5–1–2 | 2nd Coastal | ACC Semifinals NCAA Second Round | ||||
| 2023 | George Gelnovatch | 11–4–4 | 5–1–2 | 2nd Coastal | ACC Quarterfinals NCAA Third Round | ||||
| 2024 | George Gelnovatch | 11–7–3 | 3–3–2 | T-8th | ACC Semifinals NCAA Third Round | ||||
| Total: | TBD | ||||||||
National champion Postseason invitational champion | |||||||||
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