Matt Chulis (born August 29, 1977 in Central Islip, New York) is a retired U.S. soccer defender who is currently an assistant coach with the University of Virginia men’s soccer team. He was the captain of the U.S. U-20 national team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. He later played two seasons in Major League Soccer, three seasons in the USL A-League and two in the USL Second Division.

[edit] Youth

Chulis grew up in Central Islip, New York, playing on the boys’ soccer team at Central Islip High School. During his high school career, he was named both the New York State and New England Regional Player of the Year. He then attended the University of Virginia where he played on the men’s soccer team from 1995 to 1998. He started 93 games during his four seasons as a Cavaliers.^[1] He was a 1996 and 1997 second team All American.^[2][3] In 1998, he was selected as a first team All American.^[4] He was also the 1998 NSCAA Defender of the Year. He graduated in 2005 with a bachelors degree in sociology.

[edit] Professional

In 1999, the Columbus Crew selected Chulis in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1999 MLS College Draft. He spent two seasons in Columbus, seeing time in only ten games. In March 2001, the Crew waived Chulis and he was signed by the Chicago Fire where he played the first game of the season before being waived in April. On May 4, 2001, the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division signed Chulis.^[5] On December 7, 2001, the Timbers released Chulis.^[6] In April 2002, he signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, playing three seasons there. He finished his career with the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL Second Division in 2005.^[7] In 2005, he was selected to the USL-2 second team All Star team.^[8]

[edit] National teams

In 1996, Chulis joined the U.S. U-20 national team as it prepared for CONCACAF’s 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship qualification tournament. The U.S. successfully qualified, and Chulis and his team mates traveled to Malaysia where they were knocked out of the tournament in the second round.^[9] Later that year, he played five of six games for the U.S. soccer team which took third place at the 1997 World University Games. He then joined the U.S. U-23 national team. He appeared regularly for the team through 2000, but was not selected to the U.S. team which played in the 2000 Summer Olympics

[edit] Coach

On June 12, 2006, the University of Virginia hired Chulis to replace Richie Williams as an assistant coach with the men’s soccer team. He had served as a volunteer assistant coach while finishing his sociology degree during the 2004-2005 school year.

[edit] Personal

Matt Chulis resides in Charlottesville, Virginia, and is married to Colleen Minnock Chulis.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Virginia Cavaliers coaching profile
• Timberlog profile
• 2001 Portland Timbers