SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC today announced that it has signed midfielder Kelyn Rowe. The 29-year-old comes to Seattle after nine seasons in MLS, including eight with the New England Revolution. The Federal Way, Washington native has 252 career MLS appearances (including postseason play), tallying 30 goals and 44 assists. The signing of Rowe brings Sounders FC’s roster to 22 players ahead of the 2021 campaign.
“We are excited to bring a local product and proven MLS veteran in Kelyn to the club,” said Sounders FC General Manager & President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey. “He’s been a strong player in our league for close to a decade, and I look forward to seeing how he can help us win this season.”
Rowe was selected third overall in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft by New England, where he played the first seven seasons of his career and ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in several categories. He spent the 2019 season with Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake before returning to New England last season, starting 10 of 16 appearances. In all, Rowe has 240 career regular-season appearances (179 starts), with 29 goals and 42 assists, in addition to 12 appearances, one goal and two assists in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Off the field, He was named the Revolution’s Humanitarian of the Year in four straight seasons (2014-2017) for his commitment to numerous philanthropic causes, including fighting childhood cancer.
A native of the Seattle area and a Federal Way High School graduate, Rowe started for two seasons at UCLA, earning Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2010 and Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2011. He also has four caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, including three appearances after being called-up for the 2017 Gold Cup, where he recorded one goal and one assist. Rowe also represented the United States at the U-23, U-20 and U-18 levels.
TRANSACTION: Sounders FC signs midfielder Kelyn Rowe on January 29, 2021.
Full Name: Kelyn Rowe
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-8
Weight: 150
Hometown: Federal Way, Washington
Date of Birth: December 2, 1991 in Federal Way, Washington
Nationality: United States
Pronunciation: KELL-len ROW
Acquired: Signed on January 29, 2021
Previous Clubs: New England Revolution (2012-2018, 2020), Real Salt Lake (2019), Sporting Kansas City (2019)
CURRENT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): Stefan Cleveland, Stefan Frei, Trey Muse
DEFENDERS (7): Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Xavier Arreaga, Jimmy Medranda, Nouhou, Shane O’Neill, Alex Roldan, Brad Smith
MIDFIELDERS (9): Josh Atencio, Jordy Delem, Ethan Dobbelaere, Shandon Hopeau, João Paulo, Danny Leyva, Nicolás Lodeiro, Cristian Roldan, Kelyn Rowe
FORWARDS (3): Will Bruin, Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez, Raúl Ruidíaz
