Lincoln-Way graduate Ned Gravaboy, who grew up in New Lenox, is the general manager of the Portland Timbers in Major League Soccer. (Photo provided by Portland Timbers)
When his twins James and Charlotte play soccer, Ned Grabavoy is just one of millions of soccer dads in the United States.
Unlike some, Grabavoy refrains from yelling and screaming during those games or getting into the coach’s business.
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“For someone that lived youth soccer, I’ve seen a lot and I’ve seen it all,” he said. “I’m about the calmest person you can imagine.
“I’m usually standing my myself and sort of just enjoying being out there and seeing my kids run around and be involved. I try not to get caught up in too many other things.”
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Real Salt Lake’s Ned Grabavoy (20) collides with the Columbus Crew’s Eric Gehrig (16) during a MLS game at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, June 4, 2014. (Barbara J. Perenic / Tribune News Service)
The former All-American at Lincoln-Way and Indiana University had a long Major League Soccer career, playing for six teams from 2004 to 2016.
Grabavoy, who was born in Joliet and grew up in New Lenox, has since been on the Portland Timbers staff. And that soccer dad who stands off by himself now has more young players under his wing.
On Jan. 11, Grabavoy was named the team’s general manager after serving with the technical staff since 2017.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ned for many years now,” Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese said in a news release. “He has been working toward this moment and I believe he is deserving of this promotion.
“I look forward to accomplishing great things together.”
Grabavoy, who turns 40 in July, said when he was playing for Lincoln-Way and helping the Knights to a pair of Class AA second-place state finishes, he wasn’t thinking about how he would be in this position one day.
Lincoln-Way’s Ned Grabavoy (11) works the ball into the box against Joliet Township during a game on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2000. (Warren Skalski / Chicago Tribune)
One of the reasons was professional soccer in the U.S. and the MLS were in their infant stages.
“I always would have wanted to be involved in the game,” he said. “As a younger person, the league was very much new and growing. No one would have thought it would be at the level it is this quickly in this country.
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“I probably would have said back then I would love to get into coaching. But it’s hard to say what I was thinking at 16 or 18 years old. I doubt it was about what I would be doing when I turn 40. I’m sure it was very nearsighted in a lot of ways.”
After spending time growing the game in the MLS as a player, he looks back with pride in the fact there are now 29 teams in the league, including three in Canada.
“When you’ve been involved in something like this at an early point, you do feel a part of it and a dedication and almost an accountability to continue to try to help the league improve and grow,” Grabavoy said.
Lincoln-Way’s Ned Grabavoy (11) dribbles the ball against Joliet Township during a game on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2000. (Warren Skalski / Chicago Tribune)
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He picked up the GM title during one of the busiest points of the offseason as the 2023 season gets ready to go with a Feb. 25 home game against Sporting Kansas City.
“This is our messiest time of the year,” Grabavoy said. “We have some heavy, heavy, roster-related decisions.”
But he praised his staff for helping get through his first time with that process.
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After a long playing career, Grabavoy said there were some important decisions he had to make right away as GM but he isn’t doubting anything.
“Look, you are always going to look back and you are always going to have questions about certain things and certain points of your career,” he said. “The one thing I try to remind myself is that soccer has given me everything.
“It’s been a huge part of my life as a sport, but really for me, it’s so much more than that. I don’t think there is a ton I would change.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.