Troy Perkins

Personal information
Date of birth	July 29, 1981 (1981-07-29) (age 28)
Place of birth	Springfield, OH, United States
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club	Vålerenga
Number	1
Youth career
2001–2002	USF
2003	Evansville
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2002–2003	Cape Cod Crusaders	22	(0)
2004–2007	D.C. United	77	(0)
2004	→ Northern Virginia Royals (loan)	2	(0)
2007–	Vålerenga	53	(0)
National team‡
2009–	United States	6	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 31 December 2008. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 26 July, 2009

Troy Perkins (born July 29, 1981 in Springfield, Ohio) is an American soccer player who currently plays goalkeeper for Vålerenga in the Norwegian Premier League.

[edit] 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 twenty-one goals in nineteen matches, compiling a 1.09 goals-against-average. Perkins also played in the PDL for the Cape Cod Crusaders in 2002 and 2003.

[edit] 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 sixteen 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 thirty of thirty-two games. He was also named 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the year, Best XI, and voted to the 2006 All Star Team.

Perkins finished the 2007 MLS season with a 1.10 goals against average, eight shutouts, and sixteen wins, the most in the league.

On December 20, Perkins signed a five-year contract with Vålerenga^{[1] [2]}, making him the first American to sign for the club. This move looked more likely after D.C. United acquired goalkeeper Zach Wells on December 12, 2007.

He has also played for the United States National Team, receiving his first cap against Sweden on January 21, 2009.^[3]

[edit] 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^[4], leading United fans to put up a banner that said, "Troy Saves -- and Loans."
• While being a backup goalkeeper for DC United, Perkins also had a second job working at a sporting goods store in Fair Lakes, VA called Galyans (which is currently known as Dick's Sporting Goods).
• Perkins is a graduate of Thomas Worthington High School, in Worthington, OH.

[edit] Honors

[edit] D.C. United

• Major League Soccer Supporter's Shield (1): 2007

[edit] Vaalrenga

• Norwegian Cup Champion(1): 2008

[edit] Individual

• MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: 2006
• MLS Best XI: 2006

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Troy Perkins

• MLS Bio

v • d • e United States squad – 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Runners-Up 1 Perkins • 2 Pearce • 3 Goodson • 4 Marshall • 5 Beckerman • 6 Cherundolo • 7 Rogers • 8 Pause • 9 Davies • 10 Holden • 11 Ching • 12 Conrad • 13 Clark • 14 Parkhurst • 15 Cronin • 16 Heaps • 17 Cooper • 18 Robles • 19 Adu • 20 Quaranta • 21 Evans • 22 Arnaud • 23 Busch • Coach: Bradley