MATCH ONE | THURSDAY, AUG. 25, 2022 | 7 P.M. | CORBETT STADIUM | TAMPA, FLA. | ESPN+ ($)
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USF BULLS | 0-0
Last Game: First game of 2022
Next Game: Aug. 28 at North Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Head Coach: Bob Butehorn
Career Record: 162-129-37 (20th season)
At USF: 34-34-7 (Fifth season)
 
FGCU EAGLES | 0-0
Last Game: First game of 2022
Next Game: Aug. 28 vs. Northwestern, 7 p.m.
Head Coach: Jesse Cormier
Career Record: 147-120-29 (19th season)
At FGCU: 33-31-12 (Sixth season)
 
By Joey Johnston
 
Gabrielle Privitera, a talented graphic artist, would have a formidable challenge if he drew an accurate depiction of his long, arduous journey to the USF men's soccer team.
 
It would not be a straight line.
 
It would have curves and dips, detours and disappointments, before arriving at the satisfying destination.
 
Privitera, 23, has an ever-present smile. He's grateful for all of it, whether it's a blessing or a lesson. Mostly, he's thankful for the surprising bombshell news about eight years ago. His family learned it had won the Green Card Lottery — about a 75-to-1 shot — and it could legally immigrate from Venezuela to the United States.
 
"Every good thing that has happened to us since has been because of that moment,'' said Privitera, who transferred to USF last season from Barton Community College in Kansas, where his team made the semifinals of the National Junior-College Tournament. "It has been all positive.''
 
Privitera, a senior midfielder, hopes he can bring plenty of positives to the Bulls, who open Thursday, Aug. 25 at home against Florida Gulf Coast University before heading to North Carolina on Sunday, Aug. 28.
 
He showed signs of being an effective scorer last season, when the Bulls struggled to a 6-7-2 finish (4-5-1 in the American Athletic Conference) but tore his ACL. There was a silver lining in that, too. It was close to the time when he was sworn in as an American citizen.
 
"It was so full of emotions,'' Privitera said. "I am now part of this country. It means so much to myself and my family. I think when you're a citizen, you have a responsibility to contribute to the country. Being a good citizen means being a good person and representing the U.S. in a good way.''
 
To Privitera, it also means remembering the people he left behind. He has established a nonprofit organization — "Shine Kid'' — and donates soccer balls and equipment to his homeland. He is also working to hold clinics and other outreach programs.
 
"We have so very much in the U.S., and there are people who have very little or nothing — and they're are so grateful for the little things that they have,'' Privitera said. "I don't believe in being (entitled). I believe in being grateful.''
 
When Privitera and his family received their Green Cards, they settled in the Orlando area. Privitera's father, Antonio, repairs cars and has his own shop. His mother, Glenda, is a professional baker and keeps him (and USF teammates) well-stocked in cupcakes.
 
"We are all doing the best we can and I know my parents are proud that I am playing college soccer,'' Privitera said. "Adjusting to a new life and a new culture wasn't easy. Leaving our home wasn't easy, either. But we knew it was the best thing. Ever since we have been here, we have respected the culture and been grateful for everything that has been given to us.''
 
Privitera's memories of Venezuela are mostly of him playing soccer in the streets with his friends as he lived the normal carefree life of a pre-teen. But he has since learned about the country's political corruption, food and medicine shortages, its socialistic and authoritarian government and human-rights violations.
 
"People in this country could not relate to or understand the things that go on in Venezuela,'' Privitera said. "Inflation is at an all-time high. Some people have nothing to eat — and they go through the trash looking for something, anything. It's very bad.''
 
That's why Privitera helps where he can when it comes to his native people. He's determined to make a productive life for himself and will serve this semester as a graphic-design intern with USF Athletics.
 
Some of his concepts involve soccer. He drew a high-scoring player coming to the door and accepting a delivery from an Amazon driver, who presented him with a box full of soccer balls. Another drawing has a young, ambitious soccer player looking into a mirror and seeing the reflection — himself in the future as a professional player.
 
"Gabrielle is really good, really talented,'' said Allasyn Lieneck, a graphic designer with USF Athletics. "We're very comfortable giving him projects and just letting him run with it. His ideas are fun and different. It catches your eye.
 
"He'll use different overlays and extra assets instead of just saying, 'Well, this is all they gave me to work with.' He wants to make it better. It's nice to have someone a little younger to get their opinion on what looks good graphically. He just has a good feel for it. He could pursue it, for sure.''
 
That's music to Privitera's ears.
 
"When you come from the bottom and see what you can achieve in America, you realize how great life can be,'' Privitera said. "From the very first time we came here, after winning the Green Card, it was never anything we could take for granted. My family instilled this in me, but I know the path now. Do your best always.''
 
In soccer.
 
With your family.
 
In your community.
 
In life.
 
About USF Men's Soccer
To stay up-to-date on the latest USF Men's Soccer news, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
 
USF Men's Soccer competed in the school's first ever intercollegiate athletic contest on Sept. 25, 1965, beating Florida Southern 4-3. Since then, the oldest program on campus has built a winning tradition, claiming 14 conference championships and making 21 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 3 trips to the elite eight.
 
The program also has a strong reputation within the professional game and boasts 29 MLS draft picks. Notable alumni include two-time MLS Golden Boot winner Jeff Cunningham, USA 1994 World Cup star Roy Wegerle, and 2013 MLS Cup winner Dom Dwyer.
 
The Bulls have advanced to the postseason in 18 of the past 20 years, including 12 NCAA Tournament appearances during that period.
 
The University of South Florida men's soccer team was well represented on the AAC postseason All-Conference Team in 2021 with four players earning honors. Highlighting the Bulls' honorees was the American Athletic Conference Co-Goalkeeper of the Year, Kazuna Takase, along with first-team selection Shion Soga. In addition, Takase was also selected to the All-Conference Second Team along with Salvatore Mazzaferro, and Josh Gomina was named to the AAC All-Rookie Team.