Off the Pitch with Jordan Allen
Story Links
Sept. 13, 2013
Freshman midfielder Jordan Allen brings a decorated resume with him to Charlottesville this year. The Rochester, N.Y., native was a captain on the United States U-18 National Team last season and was a top-five national recruiting as a senior. He took time after training this week to discuss his first few weeks at UVa and his transition to the college game.
Why did you choose to come to UVa?
Allen: When I came to the campus, I fell in love with it immediately. The soccer program also speaks for itself. They won the national championship in 2009. I had a lot of friends come here also, so I knew there would be a lot of good players here who could push me and help me get to the next level.
How is George Gelnovatch similar or different than your past coaches?
Allen: He is similar in the way that I have worked with coaches who want to play the right way. They want to play the ball on the ground and play the game the way it should be played. He is different in that he is more motivational before games. We are always fired up and ready to go. We get an extra push because he is just as into it as we are.
Describe how playing on the U-18 National Team helped transition playing in the NCAA.
Allen: The international games have been most similar to college soccer because there is different intensity. You play for your school here, you play for your country there, so it is important because you want to represent well. That intensity is the same.
What was the experience like of being the captain of the national team?
Allen: That was probably the biggest honor of my career so far. I will always look back on that as being a great experience for myself.
How did you feel after having a goal and an assist in the win against St. John’s?
Allen: I was just happy to finally get a goal. I felt like in the two preseason games and against Louisville that I should have scored, or at least contributed an assist. So I was just happy that we got our first win and that I could have an effect on it.
What are your expectations for yourself as well as your team this year?
Allen: We just have to get a rhythm right now. Once we win two games back to back, we will be able to set our sights better and we will know what to expect. We just have to get those first two wins.
Where do you want to improve this season?
Allen: I want to improve on my goal scoring. I want to get better up the field and affect games in that way. That is what I am definitely focusing on this year.