Troy Perkins

Troy Perkins
Personal information
Full name	Troy Perkins
Date of birth	July 29 1981 (1981-07-29) (age 26)
Place of birth	Worthington, OH, United States
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Vålerenga I.F.
Number	1
Youth clubs
2001-02 2003	USF Evansville
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
2002-03 2004-2007 2007-	Cape Cod Crusaders (PDL) D.C. United Vålerenga I.F.	22 (0) 73 (0) 0 (0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 April 2007. 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 2 December 2006. * Appearances (Goals)

Troy Perkins (born July 29, 1981 in Springfield, Ohio) is an American soccer player, who currently plays goalkeeper for Vålerenga I.F. of the Tippeligaen.

College

Perkins played college soccer at the University of South Florida and the University of Evansville. He was named third-team All-Conference USA in 2001, and second-team All-CUSA in 2002. He transferred to Evansville for his senior season. At Evansville, he allowed only 21 goals in 19 matches, compiling a 1.09 goals-against-average. Perkins also played in the PDL for the Cape Cod Crusaders in 2002 and 2003.

Professional career

Upon graduating in 2003, Perkins went undrafted. However, he was signed to a developmental contract by D.C. United. Not expected to contribute, Perkins was given an opportunity after both Nick Rimando and Doug Warren lost their starting positions. Perkins proved up to the task, and went on to start 16 games for the team, posting a 1.62 goals against average. Although Perkins was performing well, the team suffered during his tenure, and he was replaced near the end of the season with Nick Rimando, who would also start for United throughout the playoffs. During the 2006 season, Perkins was the starting goalkeeper for United, playing 30 of 32 games. He was also named 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the year, Best XI, and voted to the 2006 All Star Team. So far, in the 2007 MLS season, Perkins has started and played in every game. He has 15 wins, with 7 shutouts and a 1.08 goals-against-average. In December 2007 Perkins signed for Norwegian Vålerenga I.F.. This move looked more likely after D.C. United signed goalkeeper Zach Wells on December 12th, 2007. On December 20th, Troy Perkins passed the medical testing, and signed a 5 year contract with Vålerenga I.F.^{[1] [2]}. The transfer is historical for Vålerenga, Perkins is the first soccer player from the American continent to sign for the club.

Trivia

• In early 2005 he trained with Bolton Wanderers F.C., an English Premier League club.
• In early 2006 he trained with Everton.
• Beginning in 2006, Perkins worked a second job as a mortgage loan processor^[3], leading United fans to put up a banner that said, "Troy Saves -- and Loans."
• Perkins is a graduate of Thomas Worthington High School, in Worthington, OH.

See also

• List of current MLS players

References

1. ^ Norwegian Team Acquires United's Perkins. Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
2. ^ Troy Perkins klar for Vålerenga (Norwegian). Retrieved on 2007-12-24.
3. ^ A Goalie You Can Bank On. Retrieved on 2006-12-09.

External links

• MLS Bio