SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it has signed forward Andy Craven and goalkeeper Tyler Miller to 2016 contracts. Craven re-signs with Seattle after joining the First Team last season from Sounders FC 2, while Miller earns his first career MLS contract. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, terms of the respective agreements are not being disclosed.
“We’re very pleased to add Andy and Tyler to our First Team roster for the upcoming season,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “Despite both players battling injuries this past year, our staff was impressed with the progress they made in their first professional season. We think they can be long-term contributors to our squad going forward.”
Craven, 23, joined Sounders FC on June 27 after recording five goals and five assists in 14 appearances for Sounders FC 2 during the first half its inaugural USL campaign. He made three MLS appearances for Seattle before suffering a left knee injury that ended his season. The Rave Green selected Craven in the Third Round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft following an impressive collegiate career at the University of North Carolina and College of Charleston. A MAC Hermann Trophy finalist as a senior, Craven was tied for first in the country with 15 goals for the Tar Heels in 2014, including a nation-leading eight game-winners.
“Andy is a player that provides great speed and athleticism in the attack, either up front or on the wing,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He was making good progress for us this past year before his injury, and we look forward to having him in camp and healthy for the upcoming season.”
Miller, 22, signed with S2 on July 9, 2015 following a stint with SVN Zweibrücken of the German Fourth Division. He made one appearance for S2, a 4-0 shutout victory over Arizona United SC on July 12, before undergoing successful thumb surgery on his right hand on July 28. Miller was a Second Round selection for Seattle in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft after a record-setting career at Northwestern University, where he was a four-year starter, three-time All-Big 10 First Team selection and the school's all-time leader with 36 career shutouts.
“Tyler has great potential as a goalkeeper and showed promise in the limited time we had to work with him last season,” said Schmid. “We’re excited to continue that development in 2016 as he works further with our staff and the rest of the goalkeeper group.”
Sounders FC begins its preseason preparation for the 2016 campaign next month before the club takes part in a pair of Desert Friendlies in Tucson against Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Portland Timbers in early February. Additional preseason details will be announced in the weeks ahead.
TRANSACTION: Seattle Sounders FC signs forward Andy Craven and goalkeeper Tyler Miller on December 21, 2015.
Name: Andy Craven
Position: Forward
Height: 5-11
Weight: 167
Born: January 21, 1992
Hometown: St. Simons Island, Georgia
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed to a new contract on December 21, 2015. Originally added to First Team roster on June 27, 2015 from S2 after being selected by Sounders FC in the Third Round (48th overall) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Name: Tyler Miller
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-4
Weight: 195
Born: March 12, 1993
Hometown: Woodbury, New Jersey
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Signed to First Team roster on December 21, 2015. Originally selected by Sounders FC in Second Round (33rd overall) in 2015 MLS SuperDraft, signed with S2 June 9, 2015.
