WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Seattle Sounders
FC has signed former Monmouth University goalkeeper Bryan Meredith, the club
has announced. Meredith was Seattle's fourth pick and 29th overall
in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. Meredith trained with Seattle throughout the
preseason and started in net for the USL Premier Development League champion
Kitsap Pumas this year. Meredith started Kitsap's 2-1 loss to Sounders FC in
the U.S. Open Cup third round on June 28.
"We are so excited for Bryan and his family," said Monmouth Head Coach
Robert
McCourt. "He is obviously a talented player, but he is also a
wonderful young man. This is a tremendous opportunity for Bryan. Seattle is one
of the top MLS franchises and has unbelievable fan support. It is an ideal
place for him to develop into a top-notch professional soccer player. Like a
good young pro, he put in his time with Kitsap and now has been rewarded with a
four-year contract. It is great to see all of his hard work paying
off."
Meredith
claimed his second straight all-region first team honor in 2010 after being one
of the nation's top keepers in 2009. He earned his first All-Northeast Conference
First Team accolade as a senior after making the second team as a junior. The former
captain led the NEC in goals against average (0.70), save percentage (84.2%)
and shutouts (11) in 2010. Meredith, who was named the 2010 NEC Tournament Most
Valuable Player in helping the Hawks advance to the NCAA Tournament for the
second straight season, ended his stellar collegiate career with 36 shutouts
and a 44-7-10 record.
Meredith
helped lead Monmouth to four straight Northeast Conference Regular Season
Titles and back-to-back league tournament crowns. This past season, Meredith also
helped the Hawks stay in the NSCAA National Rankings all season long.