Danny Musovski headlines soccer season with MLS watching
UNLV soccer coach Rich Ryerson would love to have Danny Musovski for the next two years, but as much as he would hate to see the junior forward to return after this season, it would be better for the player and the program if he leaves.
Because that would mean Musovski played up to expectations and helped elevate the program.
“I’m hopeful that it is (his last UNLV season) on one hand,” Ryerson said. “Then on the other hand, I’d love to get 14 goals for another two years. We want what’s best for Danny.”
Musovski is used to playing with high expectations.
He was the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and Review-Journal Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2013 at Liberty High School. Musovski set Nevada large-school records with 58 goals in 2013 and 128 career goals.
He also has delivered for UNLV, totaling six goals and six assists in 2014 and 14 goals and five assists last season. That production earned him the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year last season, and he was named a second-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and a third-teamer by TopDrawerSoccer and College Soccer News.
Now Musovski has a chance to become the first UNLV athlete in a team sport since football’s Jamaal Brimmer in 2004 to repeat as an All-American.
He also is on the Mac Hermann Trophy watch list, the soccer equivalent to football’s Heisman.
“It’s a big deal for the top 28 players in the country,” Musovski said. “It’s an honor to be named for it, and I’ve got to prepare now to make the semifinals, which will be announced later in the year.”
Then after the season, Musovski will decide whether to turn pro.
“If all goes well, hopefully I can leave a year early, but it’s too early to say right now,” Musovski said.
He trained this summer with MLS clubs Kansas City, Seattle and San Jose.
If Musovski receives a Generation adidas contract, which doesn’t count against an MLS team’s budgeted salary, that would help the decision. Such a contract goes to a handful of underclassmen each year.
“If he’s in that group of guys where he’s a guaranteed three-year contract, we would start entertaining trying to push him forward,” Ryerson said. “Otherwise, it’s a gamble, and losing your college eligibility at the risk of not making it to the top is a big gamble.”
MORE MEN’S SOCCER
The Rebels will host the Johann Memorial Classic on Friday and Sunday. UNLV plays Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. Friday at Peter Johann Memorial Field and UC Riverside at 7 p.m. Sunday.
“Those first home games are important,” Musovski said. “That really sets the tone for the entire year.”
WOMEN’S SOCCER
UNLV had a strong opening weekend and the awards to show for it. Michaela Morris was named Mountain West offensive player of the week, and teammate Chidera Akubuilo claimed the defensive honor.
Morris, a Coronado High product, scored four goals in two games, a 3-1 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson and a 6-0 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Akubuilo keyed a back line in those games with the only opposing goal coming on a penalty kick.
The Rebels hosted the UNLV Invitational this past weekend at Johann Memorial Field, defeating Northern Arizona 3-2 on Friday and (Eastern Washington result) on Sunday.
VOLLEYBALL
After playing Sacramento State and Hofstra on Friday and Cal State Northridge on Saturday in the UNLV Challenge at Cox Pavilion, the Rebels will prepare for an international exhibition. They will host the Shandong China Junior Team at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow on Twitter: @markanderson65