University of San Francisco
Sounders Academy alum Sean Bowman had a breakout year in 2017 with 11 goals, five of which were game winners. After a fantastic start to the new season, the center forward appears poised to elevate his game to new heights, scoring two goals from his first three games. His first tally game in the 80th minute against Cal State University Northridge, with the score leveled at 2-2. The Bothell native pounced on a rebound from the CSUN goalkeeper and calmly swept his finish into the back of the net, securing a 3-2 victory for the Dons. The Rave Green youth team product then handed USF an upset victory over college soccer powerhouse UCLA, finishing off a counter-attack with a composed finish past U.S. U-20 goalkeeper Justin Garces for a 1-0 win.
Bowman isn’t the only Sounders Academy alum making waves for USF, as true Freshman Cam Martin has quickly broken into the Dons’ midfield. Martin, 18, spent four years in the Sounders youth system, including a stint with S2 this summer, when he made seven appearances for the USL side, three of which were starts. That professional experience appears to have helped the box-to-box midfielder hit the ground running in the NCAA, as he’s started all three matches for USF and has only missed 11 minutes of action. Martin scored his first collegiate goal against San Diego State University, earning the Dons a 1-1 draw.
Indiana University
Trey Muse had one of the most statistically impressive seasons at the college level of any player to come through the Sounders youth system in 2017. He’s picked up where he left for the Hoosiers, earning three shutouts in the first four matches. Indiana lost a few significant pieces to its stalwart backline in the offseason, but Muse’s development throughout the past 18 months has him prepared to pick up the slack. The sophomore shot-stopper pulled off a couple of incredible saves for Indiana in a 1-0 win over Jacob Hauser-Ramsey and the UConn Huskies on September 2nd. Muse’s heroics in net – he earned two shutouts against two ranked opponents, UConn and Dartmouth – earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Honors.
University of Washington
Another player who seems to have benefitted from S2 exposure over the summer, UW freshman midfielder Dylan Teves, has broken into the Huskies’ rotation. Teves scored his first collegiate goal in a heated match against Tosh Samkange and Denver University, which the Pioneers won 3-2 in double overtime. His goal, which he struck from the edge of the area, was assisted by fellow Sounders Academy alum Kasey French, who has started every match for the Huskies at right back.
French also tallied an assist in UW’s 3-0 win over Gonzaga University. Central midfielder John Magnus, another Sounders Academy alum, has started all four matches for the Huskies this season, a positive sign he’ll play a key role in 2018.
Goalkeeper Saif Kerawala has been imperious in net so far this season, compiling four clean sheets in his first four matches.
