Seattle Sounders Acquire Goalkeeper Troy Perkins
After losing Josh Ford to the re-entry draft and Marcus Hahnemann to retirement, the Seattle Sounders were in a dire need of another goalkeeper. It appears that they have filled that need days before the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. The Sounders have announced that they have acquired veteran goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
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Perkins has appeared in 213 MLS games since 2004 which currently ranks him third among active goalkeepers. He has 74 wins which is good for 10th all-time in league history to go along with 712 saves and 53 shutouts which is good for ninth. In 2006 he won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, MLS All-Star and Best XI honors after recording a 15-6-9 record with eight clean sheets and a 1.13 goals against average.
Perkins joined D.C. United in 2004 as an undrafted rookie and helped lead the team to the 2007 Supporters Shield. After the 2007 season he joined Norwegian First Division side Vålerenga IF, where he made 53 appearances from 2008-2010.
Perkins found his way back to MLS in 2010 where he spent one season DC United before being traded to expansion side Portland Timbers prior to the 2011 season. His best season in Portland could be considered 2009 when he had a career high nine shutouts. Prior to the 2012 MLS season he was trade to the Montreal Impact in exchange for Donovan Ricketts. In 2013, he set career highs with 33 appearances accumulating a 14-12-7 record and a league-leading 109 saves as the Impact qualified for the playoffs for the first time.
It never hurts to have a veteran goalkeeper on your roster. I like the move as it adds depth and experience to a demanding position. He will bring the best out of current goalkeeper, Stefan Frei.
Head Coach Sigi Schmid had this to say:
"“Troy is an accomplished player that is well-known throughout our league. He has been one of the most consistent performers at the goalkeeper position during his MLS career, and he brings experience to our roster. We look forward to welcoming him in Seattle shortly.”"
Perkins had this to say about Seattle:
"“It’s a huge honor to be asked to join a club with the kind of prestige and class that Sounders FC represents. As an opponent, playing in Seattle was always a special thing and it will be a lot of fun being on the other side of it. The fan base there is really top-notch and atop the league.”"
I’d say he won some fans with that statement. I don’t see him beating out Frei, but you never know. We are only seven weeks away from the start of 2015 MLS season. Are you excited yet? I am.
Per soundersfc.com, here is some information about Perkins:
Name: Troy Perkins
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Born: July 29, 1981 in Springfield, Ohio
Hometown: Worthington, Ohio
College: Evansville
What do you think of the move? Good or bad? Let us know in the comments.
Next: 2015 MLS SuperDraft: Cascadia Edition Mock Draft