Instead, Reyna decided to return to the University of Virginia for his sophomore year and help the Cavaliers in their quest for a second consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association soccer title.

Virginia is now two games away from a successful title defense. The Cavaliers, who advanced to their third Final Four in the last four years, will play Duke in the first semifinal at Davidson, N.C., Friday afternoon before Davidson College faces the University of San Diego.

"I wasn't sure it was the right offer," Reyna said this week of the Barcelona contract. "I didn't want to make a decision that I would have to regret. I have plenty of time ahead of me. I know that one day I will play professionally. I knew that going back to school was a decision I would never regret."

"Nothing will happen with Barcelona in the near future," Reyna also said. "Right now, I want another championship for Virginia and I want to continue improving as a player."

George Tarantini, a native of Argentina and coach at North Carolina State, has followed Reyna's development from his freshman season at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, through his international experiences at the 1991 Pan American Games and the Olympics, to his play in the strong Atlantic Coast Conference.