Q & A With Brian Ownby

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Sophomore Brian Ownby (Glen Allen, Va.) recently checked in with VirginiaSports.com to preview the men’s soccer team’s match vs. Duke on Friday night. Ownby was recently named to the United States Under-20 World Cup team and will depart for Egypt on Monday, Sept. 14. His last match with the team for a few weeks will be Friday, Sept. 11, vs. Duke at Klöckner Stadium. Kick-off is 8 p.m. and will follow a Virginia women’s soccer match at 6 p.m. vs. West Virginia.

Question: Talk about the team’s 2-0 start to open the season.
Ownby: It was a lot different than the preseason because we were 0-3 in our exhibitions and we are 2-0 in the regular season. We knew we had to come out hard and starting with the practices after the West Virginia exhibition game we started taking it way more seriously.

Question: You leave on Monday for the Under-20 World Cup. Have you been to Egypt before?
Ownby: We will meet in New York on Monday and then fly out together. First to Cyprus and then to Egypt. I went to Egypt in June for a week to get used to the weather, we had two games against Egypt so I’ve been there before.

Question: How would you compare your international soccer experience to playing in college?
Ownby: Playing internationally is a lot different. College soccer is more physical. And you know playing for Virginia you’re playing for your school and the people who go here, but when you’re putting on the United States jersey you’re playing for the entire country. There’s only 21 kids who are going, and there’s thousands who would like to be in your situation. So it feels really good.

Question: How tough of a decision was it to accept a spot on the World Cup team, knowing it fell during Virginia’s season?
Ownby: It was really disappointing that it is during the fall and that I’m going to miss some of the season. We have a good team this year, but it’s a World Cup. I talked about it with Coach Gelnovatch and he agreed it was the best decision to go.

Question: Friday is your last match for at least a few weeks, until you get back. How will you keep up with the results and the team?
Ownby: I’ll have the Internet, since I’ll be in school they’ll have to give me Internet to keep up with my classes. I’ll be checking the team every day after games and stuff.

Question: What will the matchup with Duke be like on Friday night?
Ownby: We have been told by our coaching staff that this Duke team’s style is similar to Washington, big and direct. We will come out as if we are 0-0, and hopefully be ready for them.