Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 3, 1993 TAG: 9312030241
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This is hardly a normal week, however.
"It's 10:30 in the morning and I've already talked to him twice already," Bradley said Wednesday, prior to the Tigers' departure for Davidson, N.C., and the NCAA semifinals. "That's part of the fun of it.
"We're really excited to be in the final four and, to be quite honest with you, it's extra special to be playing Virginia - not because Bruce and I are friends, but because Virginia has set the standard for college soccer in the last five or six years."
He won't get much argument there. The Cavaliers (20-3) are bidding for their third straight Division I championship and fourth in the past five years.
In their path is a Princeton team that has scored more goals in three tournament games, 11, than any other team. The Tigers (13-4) meet Virginia (20-3) today at 2 p.m.
The second semifinal will pit South Carolina (15-3-4) against Fullerton State (16-6) at 4:30. The championship game will be Sunday at 1:30.
Bradley and Arena have indulged in their usual banter this week, "but all we've really said about the game is that we hope it's a good one," Bradley said. "I sometimes feel sorry for the players at Virginia because most teams try to beat them with a game plan, which doesn't always make for the best soccer."
Bradley, a Princeton graduate, has compiled a 71-68-14 record in 11 seasons since taking over as the head coach at his alma mater. Before that, he was an assistant at Virginia during the 1982-83 seasons.
Bradley had been the head coach in 1981 at Ohio University, where he received a master's degree in sports administration. His time at UVa was split between the soccer and sports promotions offices.
"He did our film work and kept me abreast of developments in international soccer," Arena said. "He was really into it.
"We talked all the time. Over the years, I told him that I thought there was more value at getting at teams a little quicker. He's gotten a little bit away from his classic style of play. We've all learned together."
Virginia and Princeton both favor an attacking style in which defenders are encouraged to take advantage of offensive opportunities.
"The more you're in the game, the more you realize the game itself is the real teacher," Bradley said. "We've learned it's a player game. I think every great player who has played for Bruce has probably enjoyed himself."
One of the greatest, junior midfielder Claudio Reyna, is expected to pass up his final season of college eligibility to prepare for the 1994 World Cup. But there will be more high-school All-Americans ready to take his place.
"We've gone against them in recruiting," Bradley said, "but `knocking heads' is not the way I'd put it. Bruce recruited [Princeton senior] Joe Thieman, but I think he realized that Joey would have more of an impact for us than he would have at Virginia."
The Cavaliers start eight Parade All-Americans, including the player of the year (Reyna), top forward (A.J. Wood) and top defender (Clint Peay) off the 1990 Parade team. UVa's Brandon Pollard was the top defender in 1991.
"Anytime a team has had as much success as Virginia, it's only natural for people to hope somebody will bring them down," Bradley said, "but I always feel it's good for college soccer when the winner is a team that goes out and plays good soccer.
"People may be jealous of Virginia but they can't criticize the way [the Cavaliers] play."
Arena, whose team struggled during an injury-plagued October, has gotten little sympathy in recent weeks despite the Cavaliers' inability to secure a No. 1 seed.
"The whole soccer community probably wants us to fail," he said. "They're sick of Virginia being the top dog. I don't mind it. Frankly, it's kind of a nice position to be in."
by CNB