The Sounders added goalkeeper Troy Perkins Tuesday, a 33-year-old veteran who is a former MLS goalkeeper of the year award winner.
Perkins, who most recently played for Montreal, starting 21 games last season, has spent most of his career in MLS, being named the leagues top ‘keeper in 2006 with D.C. United, and has also played professionally in Norway’s first division.
While the team did not specify whether or not Perkins is a candidate to compete for the starting job, Sounders coach Sigi Schmid raved about the play of Stefan Frei late in the season and during the playoffs, so its likely Perkins is being added as a replacement for backup Marcus Hahnemann, who retired after the 2014 season.
Here’s the full press release from the team:
SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC has acquired veteran goalkeeper Troy Perkins, the club announced today. Perkins became available following the 2014 MLS Re-Entry Draft and is being added to Sounders FC’s roster immediately. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.
Perkins, 33, is third among active goalkeepers with 213 career MLS appearances dating back to his rookie season in 2004. He ranks 10th all-time in league history with 74 wins and ninth with 712 saves and 53 shutouts. The Ohio native earned MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, MLS All-Star and Best XI honors in 2006 after recording a 15-6-9 record with eight clean sheets and a 1.13 goals against average.
“Troy is an accomplished player that is well-known throughout our league,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “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.”
After a collegiate career at the University of South Florida and University of Evansville, Perkins joined D.C. United in 2004 as an undrafted rookie, where he spent four seasons – guiding United to the 2007 Supporters’ Shield. He then joined Norwegian First Division side Vålerenga IF, where he made 53 appearances in the Tippeligaen from 2008-10.
Perkins returned to MLS in 2010, where he spent one season with D.C. before being traded to expansion side Portland Timbers prior to the 2011 season. He manned the nets for the better part of Portland’s first two MLS campaigns, making 51 appearances for the Timbers and recording a career-high nine shutouts in 2011. Perkins was then traded to the Montreal Impact late in the 2012, where he proceeded to allow just eight goals over the final nine matches of the club’s first MLS season, recording four clean sheets. In 2013, he set new career highs with 33 appearances and 2,970 minutes, accumulating a 14-12-7 record and a league-leading 109 saves as the Impact qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time. Perkins recorded five clean sheets in 21 appearances this past season for Montreal.
“It’s a huge honor to be asked to join a club with the kind of prestige and class that Sounders FC represents,” said Perkins. “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.”
Perkins has been capped seven times for the U.S. Men’s National Team, accumulating a 5-2-0 record in 2009 and 2010. He made five appearances in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, leading the Stars and Stripes to a second place finish.
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