Sounders FC U-23 News Release -- www.soundersu23.com
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
TACOMA, Wash. – 2012 Sounders FC U-23 goalkeeper, Doug Herrick has signed with Major League Soccer. Herrick has signed as an emergency pool goalkeeper for the league. Should an MLS club suffer an extreme hardship, needing a goalkeeper, Herrick would join the club and fill the need.
Since January, Herrick has been training regularly with Seattle Sounders FC. Under the terms of the contract, he will continue to be based out of Seattle and train with Sounders FC.
"To get to work with Tommy Dutra and some of the first team goalkeepers on the whole is such a wonderful experience and a great way for me to improve," said Doug Herrick about his experience working with Sounders FC. "Also, for me, this is an opportunity to realize that this is what I want to do, and this is something worth chasing; and something that I’m good enough to chase."
A 2012 graduate of Saint Mary’s College, Herrick was a three-time All West Coast Conference selection, and school record holder in minutes played; 5,820, career wins; 27 and career shutouts; 24.
"I give a lot of credit to Adam Cooper and staff for putting together a successful program," said Herrick of his time with the Gaels. "My success academically and athletically will stay with me forever."
Herrick was a PDL standout with Sounders U-23, leading the league with eleven wins in fourteen league games played. In leading the team to a Western Conference Championship, he had five shutouts and an impressive 0.933 goals allowed average.
Since concluding the 2012 PDL season, Herrick has gone on to earn ten international caps with the Guam National Team.
"Doug has made huge strides in the last year. He’s been a bit of late bloomer," said Dutra, the Sounders FC goalkeeping coach. "He comes in and works hard and is just a good guy to have around. He could have a good future in this game if he keeps dedicating himself and working hard each and every day."
Herrick said, "I think there’s a big step between playing college and playing professionally and I think the experience I had with the U23s, as well as the regular training with the first team helped me a lot. Working with Darren (Sawatzky), who is an ex-pro, who’s been a part of the organization and Ben Dragavon, who was also an MLS pool goalkeeper; I think that experience is invaluable."
For more information on roster signings, schedule and U.S. Open Cup draw, visit www.SoundersU23.com, follow us on Twitter: @SoundersU23, or ’Like’ us on Facebook.