Indiana University Athletics
Grabavoy Headed for MLS (1-12-04)
1/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Ned Grabavoy has opted to forego his senior season of eligibility at Indiana to begin his professional soccer career. Grabavoy is part of Major League Soccer's eight-player Nike-Project 40 class that was recently unveiled by the league. Grabavoy has signed a contract with Major League Soccer and will be available for selection in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft on January 16 in Charlotte, N.C.
"We're happy for Ned," Indiana soccer coach Mike Freitag said. "He will get the opportunity to play professionally and that has always been one of his goals. Ned has made great contributions to the IU program during his time here. We appreciate all he has done at Indiana, especially his efforts in helping us win a national championship this past season. As Ned leaves IU, he is certainly recognized as one of the best to play here. He is a talented individual who will have success in the MLS."
In 2003, Grabavoy co-captained the National Champion Hoosiers and led the team in scoring with 33 points on 11 goals and 11 assists in 21 games. He was one of only three unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selections and appeared on the list of 15 semifinalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy. Grabavoy earned first-team All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches'Assocation of America and was also recognized as an All-American by College Sports Television and College Soccer News.
Grabavoy missed four matches in NCAA Tournament play while playing with the United States U-20 team in the World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates, but returned for the national championship game against St. John's on Dec. 14. Grabavoy promptly scored the first goal of the game on a free kick in the 16th minute. He was named to the College Cup All-Tournament team.
The New Lenox, Ill., native and Lincoln Way High School graduate came to Indiana as the NSCAA's National High School Player of the Year in 2000. After an injury on his first day of practice at IU, Grabavoy missed the first half of his freshman season. As a sophomore in 2002, he scored 20 points to rank third on the team, and was selected the NSCAA's All-America second team. Grabavoy led the Big Ten in scoring with 15 points in league games and was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection in his first full season of competition.
Grabavoy played in 54 games during his Hoosier career and earned 42 starting assignments. He scored a total of 57 points on 18 goals and 21 assists. He is the first Indiana player to turn pro early since Dema Kovalenko in 1998.
2004 MLS Nike-Project 40 Class
Freddy Adu, Forward, Potomac, Md.
Michael Bradley, Forward, Palatine, Ill.
Ryan Cochrane, Defender, Santa Clara University
Steve Cronin, Goalkeeper, Santa Clara University
Clint Dempsey, Forward, Furman University
Josh Gardner, Midfielder,University of Cincinnati
Clarence Goodson, Defender, University of Maryland
Ned Grabavoy, Midfielder, Indiana University
Chad Marshall, Defender, Stanford University
