Background
Pollard grew up in Virginia where he attended J.R. Tucker High School.
Pollard grew up in Virginia where he attended J.R. Tucker High School.
After graduating from high school, Pollard attended the University of Virginia where he was a defender on the men’s soccer team
He was a four-time All Colonial District, and All State soccer player as well as a Parade Magazine All American as a senior. 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. During Pollard’s collegiate career, he also became a regular with various United States. youth national teams.
In 1993, he was of the World University Games soccer team
That year he also started all four games at the U-20 World Cup. In that tournament, the United States. went 1-1-1 in the first round, making the second round only to fall eventual champions Brazil.
In 1996, the Dallas Burn selected Pollard in the first round (third overall) of the 1996 Master of Library Science College Draft. 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 Master of Library Science 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 legal
Although Pollard came back for the 2000 season, even going on loan with the Tennessee Rhythm in the USL A-League for one game and the Texas Rattlers for three games, he never regained the form he had prior to the injury.
He retired from playing professionally during the 2001 pre-season.
Pollard was a standout player with the University of Virginia and was a member of the United States. soccer team at the 1996 Summer Olympics. While at Virginia, he was a member of the 1992, 1993, and 1994 National Collegiate Athletic Association championship teams. In 1995, he was a member of the United States. team at the Pan American Games.
