At the age of 8, Sasho Cirovski emigrated with his family from Macedonia to Windsor, Ontario. Rather than hockey, his athletic gifts were funneled into youth soccer, where he excelled, ultimately playing for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he graduated in 1985. He was later hired on as an assistant coach at that school. His landed his first head coaching job at Hartford in 1991, where he immediately revived its moribund program. On the strength of his wizardry there, he was hired in 1993 to coach the men?s program at Maryland. Based on his success (187-88–14, one national title), he can safely be considered an institution at that program.
Here?s what Sirovski had to say about a number of topics, including the World Cup, which begins Friday:
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On the World Cup:
“I expect this to be the most exciting World Cup we?ve had. It?s being held in the rich soccer culture of Germany, and because of the proximity I think the European teams will play at their highest levels. I think it?s hard to go against Germany and Brazil somehow finding their way into the final four. England?s brat pack have matured and are quite hungry, and they have the leadership on the field that they lacked last time. Holland have the makings of a very, very good team. If you ever can call them a “sleeper”, they could be the “sleeper” this year.
Beyond that, I think Italy and the Czech Republic could threaten to make a deep run in the tournament.”
On the U.S. team:
“I do think we?ll get past the first round. But we?re not going to sneak up on anybody. If we do get past the first round, we?ll probably play Brazil in the round of 16, and that?s going to be a formidable challenge for us.”
On former Terp Taylor Twellman not making the U.S. team:
“I was very disappointed for Taylor, but I also realize how difficult it is for Bruce [Arena, manager of the U.S. soccer team] in picking those spots. Perhaps selfishly I believe that Taylor should have been on the team, but I know that the national team?s coach?s job is very difficult.”
On his current team:
“We?re going to be very young. But we?re going to be very talented. We return virtually our entire midfield and our goalkeeper. I think Chris Seitz is the best goalkeeper in the country. Our midfield will probably be the best in the country. It?s going to be our challenge to make sure we don?t allow ourselves to be ?the hunted?, and that we come in with the mentality of still being ?the hunter?.”
On the quality of local high school soccer:
“We don?t get to see as much high school soccer as we do the club soccer teams, because the high school schedules run simultaneous with our own. But the players in this area are very good. We?ve got a couple kids from McDonogh and DeMatha. Our goal every year is to recruit the top two or three kids from this area.”
THE CIROVSKI FILE
Name: Sasho CirovskI
Title: Head Coach, University of Maryland men?s soccer
Tenure: Beginning 14th Season
Milestones: Current NCAA champs, current NCAA Coach of the Year, 11 NCAA Tournaments, five Final Four appearances
Quotable: “Winning the NCAA championship was as much a relief as it was ecstasy.”
Editor?s note: Phil Jackson, a free-lance writer, covers soccer for The Examiner.
