University of Connecticut Athletics
Men's Soccer Adds Two UConn Greats To Coaching Staff
8/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 3, 2011
STORRS, Conn. - UConn men's soccer head coach Ray Reid has announced the addition of former Husky greats Chris Gbandi and Michael Mordocco as assistant coaches. Both players were integral parts of UConn's NCAA Championship season in 2000. They join Tim O'Donohue, who was announced as Associate Head Coach on July 26, as the newest members of the coaching staff for the 2011 season.
Mordocco will serve as an Assistant Coach while Gbandi will serve as the Assistant Director of Soccer Administration.
"Having Mike and Chris back in Connecticut is a dream come true. Both young men had outstanding careers at UConn and have since gone on to make great marks in the game. Their contributions to the program will be immeasurable. We are all excited that they are back with the program," said Reid.
Gbandi, who was born in Liberia and graduated from UConn in 2002, enjoyed a successful career at Connecticut beginning in 1998 when he was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year. He was also honored as the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, 2000 and 2001, while earning All-America honors those years as well. Gbandi received the Hermann Trophy in 2000 as the National Player of the Year after leading UConn to the NCAA Championship.
 Assistant Director of Soccer Administration - Chris Gbandi  | |
"It's great to be at Connecticut with such a top notch program. I'm excited to learn from such a respected coach like Ray Reid. I'm looking forward to getting involved and being a sponge to all the incredible players and coaches that are here. I'm really excited to be back at the University and to enhance my coaching career," said Gbandi.
Gbandi returns to Storrs after nine years of professional playing experience. He was drafted with the first overall pick of the 2002 MLS SuperDraft by FC Dallas, where he played until 2007. He was honored as FC Dallas's Defender of the Year in 2006.
Following his time in Dallas, Gbandi transferred to Norwegian club FK Haugesund, where he spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Most recently, Gbandi played with USSF Division 2 club Miami FC in 2010.
Mordocco, who played at UConn with Gbandi and graduated alongside him in 2002, also returns to Storrs with a wealth of experience.
"I'm excited to be back at UConn and to be working with Coach [Ray Reid]," said Mordocco. "The school is amazing now and it has grown so much since I left. I feel that UConn is one of the top programs in the country and I want to get us back to the College Cup to win another National Championship."
Mordocco has coached numerous youth teams since his graduation, beginning with the U18 Black Watch Soccer Club out of Albany, N.Y. in 2004. He also served as the head coach of both the U11 and U16-U18 teams at Stony Brook Soccer Club between 2007 and 2010, leading his players to the 2009 Score at the Shore championship title as well as a victory at the 2010 Northeast Regional Premier Championship.
He also has experience in administrative roles, serving as both the Technical Director of the Stony Brook Soccer Club Youth Academy and as the Assistant Director of the Markovic Academy of Soccer for the past five years.
Gbandi and Mordocco will experience their first UConn game from a coach's perspective when the Huskies open the regular season at home against St. Francis on Saturday, Aug 27.
