The Sounders Women are continuing to add to their roster. It was announced yesterday that they had signed Ferndale, Washington native Megan Manthey, who started playing soccer at age four. She dreamed big, and was afforded the opportunity to leave Ferndale to attend the Pendleton School in Bradenton, Florida. From there she went to the IMG Soccer Academy where she was named as the Female Player of the Year in 2005. She graduated from High School a full year early so that she could focus on her goal of becoming a professional soccer player.
She attended the University of Colorado at age 17, and helped lead the Buffaloes to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament in 2006. She transferred to the College of Charleston in 2007. With her coaches assistance, she made a highlight video and started sending it out to soccer teams abroad prior to her graduation in 2009. In July of 2009, she was asked to fly to Denmark to try out for the Fortuna Hjorring, and was quickly signed to a one year contract. She was the first American to play for the Denmark champions.
This 5’7″ American player has managed to earn her place on the Elite division team since that first try out. She has played left back in her career, but she excels at midfielder and forward. This diversity will help out the Sounders Women for sure. Her experience abroad will make her a leader for this team. She is also known for her passion off the field as well. She has been coaching girls teams since her arrival in Denmark. She wants to be a positive role model for girls wanting to dream big like her. She may not be the household name that Hope Solo is, or that Alex Morgan is becoming, but she plays just as well, and her signing is just as exciting.
The Sounders Women have also signed two other "local" products in Kate Deines (of UW soccer fame and the U23 US National Team), and Keelin Winters of the University of Portland. Keelin played as a holding center midfielder for the Boston Breakers (of the WPS) last year, and this year was called up to the National U23 team as well. She was nominated as the WPS Rookie of the Year last season.
Kate graduated from Issaquah High School and was a four year starter for the Huskies. She was drafted by the WPS Atlanta Beat this past winter. The suspension of the WPS season allowed Kate the opportunity to re-join the Sounders, who she'd played for from 2007 to 2009.
This is shaping up to be quite a solid team.