Player Profile: Alec Ferrell

Finally, a goalie! With the top pick of the second round of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, MNUFC selected a player who many think to be the top keeper in this year’s player pool.

Ferrell is a redshirt senior out of Wake Forest, a team that made it to the finals of the College Cup in 2016 but ultimately fell in penalty kicks. However, Ferrell did not play between the pipes in that match due to an injury he had sustained several weeks earlier. According to the club, he should be good to go by the time the season rolls around.

When he did play for Wake Forest in the 2016 season, Ferrell was dominant. Of the 16 games he started, the 22 year-old netminder posted shutouts in eight of them. Over the course of the season who only allowed nine goals, giving him an astonishingly low .54 goals against average.

Across his career with the Demon Deacons, Ferrell registered a 40-10-13 record with 22 shutouts and 228 saves in his 63 matches. He has a good base of experience, and at 6’4” and 190 pounds, also possess the physical traits necessary to play keeper at the top level.

After the draft, Loons manager Adrian Heath was excited with his draft picks, saying “I think we’ve taken the best striker and best young goalkeeper in the draft.” The manager thought he was a good enough player where they were willing to overlook his existing injury. “He’s injured at the moment, so we’ll let him get over that and look forward to getting him also.”

Born in Chicago, Ferrell moved to Westlake, Ohio where he played football as well as soccer. Being from the Midwest, the cold of Minnesota shouldn’t bother him too much. Since Jeff Atinella was taken in the Expansion Draft but then traded, Ferrell will be the first goalkeeper officially on United’s roster.

It appears Mr. Ferrell as another talent in addition to stopping shots: growing a fantastic mustache

What do you think of United’s first keeper? Who else do you want to see us pick up at the position? Let us know in the comments below!