Sounders FC U-23 News Release -- www.soundersu23.com
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
TACOMA, Wash. – In 2012, Doug Herrick patrolled the Sounders U-23 goal on route to a PDL National Semifinals appearance. After a year of training with the Sounders First Team as Major League Soccer's Pool Goalkeeper, Herrick has now signed a professional contract with the Charlotte Eagles of USL PRO.
“Moving to Charlotte is a huge step in my career," Herrick said. "Goalkeepers are judged based on their games, and while Seattle was an amazing training opportunity I didn't get very many games. I'm excited to work hard in an environment that has the potential to be transformative, as well as play in games. I look forward to the personal growth I anticipate in Charlotte.”
Herrick was a PDL standout with Sounders U-23, leading the league with 11 wins in 14 league games. In leading the team to a Western Conference Championship, he had five shutouts and an impressive 0.933 goals allowed average.
“I can't say enough about what the Sounders U-23 team offered me,” Herrick said. “If players are judged by their initial trajectories, a number of players would find themselves in dramatically different situations – I am one of them. My transition to the professional game was a difficult one. As an unproven college kid, the U-23s offered me a place to be a leader and show myself and others that I was someone worth investing in. Working with Darren [Sawatzky], Ben [Dragavon] and the rest of the Sounders U-23 coaching staff provided me with the environment and connections to move into the Sounders first team and now to the Charlotte Eagles.”
His former Head Coach with the Sounders U-23, Darren Sawatzky said, “we continue to work on the environments for future professional players. It is always great to see players graduate from youth, college, and intermediate soccer to the professional ranks. We are happy for Doug and look forward to seeing him grow in Charlotte and win some games.”
Since concluding the 2012 PDL season, Herrick has also earned 12 international caps with the Guam National Team.
Sounders U-23 Season Ticket Flex Packs for the 2014 season are now on sale at SoundersU23.com.