SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC selected Stanford goalkeeper Andrew Thomas off waivers today following the conclusion of the NCAA Men’s soccer season. Seattle acquired the top spot in the waivers process from Chicago Fire FC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM). Thomas was a three-time All-Pac-12 First Team selection at Stanford after a youth career for English side Watford FC in the club’s academy system. Thomas has a pre-signed contract with Major League Soccer and is being added to Sounders FC’s First Team roster immediately.
“After a strong career at Stanford, we see Andrew as a goalkeeper that we think can develop and help us out down the road,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “We’re always on the lookout to add talented players to our roster, so I’m looking forward to watching Andrew get to work with Tom Dutra and our existing goalkeepers.”
Thomas won his third Pac-12 Championship with the Cardinal this spring, leading the conference with a 0.69 goals against average and recording four shutouts. The Moscow-born, Watford FC Academy product tallied 55 appearances over three seasons in Palo Alto, compiling a 34-10-11 record with 23 shutouts. Thomas has also spent time with the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team.
Due to the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic – which extended the college soccer season into spring – MLS created an additional opportunity for standout players to be drafted by MLS teams following the close of the college season. The waivers process ends on Monday, May 24.
After matching its club record with 16 points from six matches to start the season, Sounders FC hosts Atlanta United FC this Sunday, May 23 at Lumen Field (1:30 p.m. PT / FOX, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM).
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC trades $50,000 of General Allocation Money (GAM) to Chicago in exchange for the top waivers spot and selects goalkeeper Andrew Thomas on May 21, 2021. Thomas has a pre-signed contract with Major League Soccer and is being added to Sounders FC’s First Team roster immediately.
Name: Andrew Thomas
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195
Born: September 1, 1998 in Moscow, Russia
Hometown: London, England
Citizenship: USA / England / Russia
College: Stanford
Acquired: Selected by Sounders FC off waivers on May 21, 2021
