When graduate defender Sebastian Pop snuck in a tenth-minute, go-ahead goal against UNC Greensboro Oct. 14, Klöckner Stadium and Virginia’s sideline exploded. But this goal was notable beyond just the scoreline — it marked another instance of Pop’s growing imprint on a Virginia team trying to make a deep postseason run. It was the rare moment when the Cavaliers’ defensive hero stepped into the spotlight, a player who has traditionally been more defined by the tackles he wins and the comfort he imposes in the chaos.
Coach George Gelnovatch said after that match that the Norwegian is “the best center back in our league.” For a player who only started with the Cavaliers this fall, the praise from the head coach emphasizes just how quickly he has established himself at the foundation of the Cavaliers’ back line.
Pop transferred after playing 61 games in PostNord-ligaen Adv1, Norway’s third tier, where he scored three goals. Now, he leads Virginia in total minutes played this season, steadying the back line with his on-field presence and scoring two goals in the process. His influence goes beyond the stat sheet. Virginia has conceded fewer than a goal per game since his arrival, a testament to his anticipation and ability to make the simple play look effortless.
“I’m not the loudest in the locker room,” Pop said. “But on the field, I always try … to communicate, have a [high] standard for everything and … play with focus and concentration and be 100 percent in everything we do together.”
That quiet steadiness has turned him into a natural defensive anchor for the Cavaliers’ strategy, approach and philosophy. His idol is another stalwart center back, one with an equally unmistakable presence.
“I love watching [Virgil] Van Dijk at Liverpool,” Pop said. “How he [leads], how he’s the boss on the field … And [Allesandro] Bastoni, how he handles the ball. I really like to watch those kinds of [center backs] in Europe.”
In Norway, Pop studied computer engineering while playing professionally at an exceptional level back home, making his first appearance for the Norway U20 team at just 19 years 3 months 13 days old. After finishing his bachelor’s degree, he began to weigh his options. Should he make a move to Europe’s finest leagues — or elsewhere — or stay home?
His answer came from academics, specifically the realm of computer engineering and math.
“In Norway, you need to find your football club and your school by yourself,” Pop said. “Here everything is structured … it’s much easier to combine studies and soccer.”
When Pop has a rare off day from soccer, he likes to play tennis and other racquet sports, games that demand instinct and rhythm. That same mindset carries onto the pitch.
“Before a game, I don’t like to think too much,” Pop said. “I just go with the flow, listen to music, have a laugh … be myself, smile and enjoy the … process.”
And while his main job is preventing goal-scoring opportunities, the goal that opened up the scoring against the Spartans revealed another part of his game that no one would have expected.
“It fell right at my feet, and I tried to place it as [well] as I could in the corner,” Pop said. “And I think it was hard for the keeper as well, because it came so quickly, and it was a great feeling.”
Virginia’s schedule this season has been among the nation’s hardest, with matchups against top programs week after week. For Pop, however, the gauntlet has not been a burden, but rather an opportunity.
“I know that the coaches believe in us,” Pop said. “I know we are good enough as a group to meet that schedule as well, because we know we have such a high level in our team, every player, even the ones that are not starting, I think we have a lot of quality in our team.”
Even a huge setback, like an early-season loss to George Mason, became a teaching moment in Pop’s eyes. He said he and the team realized they need to bring everything they have to every game they play.
With the postseason right around the corner, the Cavaliers' hopes of making a run count on Pop’s ability to steady the backline and continue to be the quiet star by leading by example. He’s the kind of defender teammates trust implicitly. The one who wins an aerial battle, recycles possession and resets the rhythm without needing an ovation. For now, the Norwegian graduate transfer is simply, as he always does, enjoying the moment. But he knows what the team can accomplish.
“I definitely believe in this team that we can go all the way, for sure, and I think we are ready for that,” Pop said.
Read More
Volleyball suffers disappointing weekend with ACC losses to Georgia Tech and Clemson
By Lauren Halak | 37 minutes agoVirginia's losing streak reached four matches.
Virginia women’s basketball eyes a breakthrough season after a promising offseason
By Sofie Keppler | 47 minutes agoVirginia appears poised to move forward into a strong regular season.
Rafael Jódar wins Charlottesville Challenger, climbs to world No. 166
By Thomas Baxter | 1 hours agoThe budding Spanish star won again.
