Brandon Pollard
Encyclopedia
Brandon Pollard is a retired U.S. soccer defender
who is best known for having his career ended by a vicious tackle from Dema Kovalenko. Pollard was a standout player with the University of Virginia
and was a member of the U.S. soccer team at the 1996 Summer Olympics
.
where he attended J.R. Tucker High School
. He was a four-time All Colonial District
, and All State soccer player as well as a Parade Magazine All American as a senior.
After graduating from high school, Pollard attended the University of Virginia
where he was a defender
on the men’s soccer team. While at Virginia, he was a member of the 1992, 1993, and 1994 NCAA championship
teams. On an individual level, he was selected as second team All American in 1993 and a first team All American
in 1994 and 1995, his junior and senior years.
soccer team. That year he also started all four games at the U-20 World Cup
. In that tournament, the U.S. went 1-1-1 in the first round, making the second round only to fall eventual champions Brazil. In 1995, he was a member of the U.S. team at the Pan American Games
.
. Pollard played only ten games with the Burn that season, largely because of time spent at the 1996 Summer Olympics
. In 1997, Pollard worked himself into a regular player on the Burn back line and was protected in the 1997 MLS Expansion Draft
. In 1998 and 1999, his career began to hit it stride as he played 29 games and 31 games (all starts) respectively. However, his career took a hit during the last few minutes of the Burn’s playoff game with the Chicago Fire. In that game, Fire player Dema Kovalenko tackled Pollard, shattering his leg. Although Pollard came back for the 2000 season, even going on loan with the Tennessee Rhythm in the USL A-League for one game, he never regained the form he had prior to the injury. He retired from playing professionally during the 2001 pre-season.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who is best known for having his career ended by a vicious tackle from Dema Kovalenko. Pollard was a standout player with the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
and was a member of the U.S. soccer team at the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
.
High school and college
Pollard grew up in VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
where he attended J.R. Tucker High School
John Randolph Tucker High School
John Randolph Tucker High School is a high school in Henrico County, Virginia, United States. It is named after lawyer and Henrico County Judge John Randolph Tucker. Its students and faculty often refer to themselves as "Tucker Tigers"...
. He was a four-time All Colonial District
AAA Colonial District
The AAA Colonial District is a high school conference in the state of Virginia that includes schools in the Greater Richmond Region. AAA is the largest enrollment class of the Virginia High School League and also typically the most competitive level in Virginia high school sports.The Colonial...
, and All State soccer player as well as a Parade Magazine All American as a senior.
After graduating from high school, Pollard attended the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
where he was a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
on the men’s soccer team. While at Virginia, he was a member of the 1992, 1993, and 1994 NCAA championship
NCAA Men's Soccer Championship
The NCAA began conducting a Men's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1959 with an eight-team tournament. Currently, the tournament field consists of 48 teams...
teams. On an individual level, he was selected as second team All American in 1993 and a first team All American
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
in 1994 and 1995, his junior and senior years.
National teams
During Pollard’s collegiate career, he also became a regular with various U.S. youth national teams. In 1993, he was of the World University Games1993 Summer Universiade
The 1993 Summer Universiade, also known as the XVII Summer Universiade, took place in Buffalo, New York, United States of America.-Medal table:-External links:*...
soccer team. That year he also started all four games at the U-20 World Cup
1993 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Australia for second time from 5 to 20 March 1993. The 1993 championship was the 9th contested. The tournament took place in five venues: Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide....
. In that tournament, the U.S. went 1-1-1 in the first round, making the second round only to fall eventual champions Brazil. In 1995, he was a member of the U.S. team at the Pan American Games
Football at the 1995 Pan American Games
The twelfth edition of the Men's Football Tournament at the Pan American Games was held in Mar del Plata, Argentina from March 10 to March 24, 1995. Twelve teams competed, with title defender USA being eliminated in the first round...
.
Professional
In 1996, the Dallas Burn selected Pollard with in the first round (third overall) of the 1996 MLS College Draft1996 MLS College Draft
-History:As Major League Soccer prepared for its first season, the league began stocking teams with players. As the teams were being created at the same time, the league adopted a measured approach to building rosters. First, the league allocated four "big name" players to each team. Then on...
. Pollard played only ten games with the Burn that season, largely because of time spent at the 1996 Summer Olympics
United States at the 1996 Summer Olympics
The United States was the host nation for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.- Gold:* Justin Huish — Archery, Men's Individual Competition* Justin Huish, Richard Johnson, and Rod White — Archery, Men's Team Competition...
. In 1997, Pollard worked himself into a regular player on the Burn back line and was protected in the 1997 MLS Expansion Draft
1997 MLS Expansion Draft
The 1997 MLS Expansion Draft was held November 6, 1997. Two teams participated, the Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion F.C., both expansion Major League Soccer clubs planned for the 1998 season.-Format:...
. In 1998 and 1999, his career began to hit it stride as he played 29 games and 31 games (all starts) respectively. However, his career took a hit during the last few minutes of the Burn’s playoff game with the Chicago Fire. In that game, Fire player Dema Kovalenko tackled Pollard, shattering his leg. Although Pollard came back for the 2000 season, even going on loan with the Tennessee Rhythm in the USL A-League for one game, he never regained the form he had prior to the injury. He retired from playing professionally during the 2001 pre-season.