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Former Cavaliers Reyna, Olsen Named to United States World Cup Roster
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May 3, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Two former members of the Virginia men’s soccer team were named to the United States roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, held this summer in Germany. Midfielders Claudio Reyna and Ben Olsen were among the 23 players named to the squad, which was announced by National Team Manager and former UVa Head Coach Bruce Arena on Tuesday.
The captain of the national team, Reyna was selected to his fourth World Cup roster. He missed the 1994 World Cup due to injury, but was a starter in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. He has made 108 appearances for the national team, the most of any player on the current roster, while scoring eight goals for his country. A native of Springfield, N.J., Reyna was a three-time first team All-American and twice won the Missouri Athletic Club National Player of the Year award while leading the Cavaliers to three NCAA Championships from 1991 to 1993. He currently plays professionally for Manchester City in the Barclays English Premier League.
Olsen will be heading to his first World Cup this summer. He has 33 appearances for the national team and has scored six international goals. A native of Middletown, Pa., Olsen was a three-year starter for the Cavaliers from 1995 to 1997. In 1997, he was named a first-team All-American and National Player of the Year by Soccer America and Soccer News. He currently plays professionally for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.
Also announced on Tuesday was the list of alternates to the team, which could be added to the roster if a player selected is injured prior to the start of the World Cup. Among the 13 players selected as alternates are former Cavaliers Tony Meola (1987-89) and Chris Albright (1997-98).
The United States is led by Arena, who was the head coach of the Cavaliers from 1978-1995. Arena is still the all-time winningest coach in the program’s history with a 295-59-31 career record. During his tenure, the Cavaliers won five NCAA Championships and nine ACC Championships. He is in his eighth season at the helm of the U.S. Men’s National Team, and has led them to a current No. 4 FIFA World Ranking and the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
The United States will begin play at the World Cup when it faces the Czech Republic on June 12 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.