Revs Add Goalkeeper Cody Cropper
- Updated: August 18, 2016
Photo Credit: New England Revolution
The New England Revolution announced the signing of former U.S. youth international goalkeeper Cody Cropper on Thursday morning. The 23-year-old ‘keeper was part of English Championship (the second division in England) side Ipswich Town FC’s academy from 2010-2012, before transferring to Southampton F.C. in the Premier League. Cropper saw no first team time with Southampton before moving back to the Championship with Milton Keynes Dons last season. At Milton Keynes Dons, Cropper played in nine league games, but did not have his contract renewed after the season. Cropper is a Discovery signing for the Revolution and will join the team pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC).
“Cody is a player whose development we’ve been tracking the past few years,” said New England Revolution General Manager Michael Burns in a release from the team. “He’s a promising young goalkeeper and we’re excited to bring him to New England.”
The 6-foot-4 goalkeeper was the first choice keeper for the U.S. in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2015 Toulon Tournament. He was also part of the U.S. under-23 team that failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Cropper has received several call-ups to the U.S. Men’s National Team, but has yet to make an appearance.
As recently as March, Cropper had said he was interested in playing in MLS, but only in Minnesota or Atlanta, both sides slated to join the league as expansion teams in 2017
“There are really only two teams I have a desire to play for – Minnesota United and Atlanta United,” Cropper said in March, according to an MLSSoccer.com report. “I have personal ties to both cities, and I would love to end up there. I know [Minnesota United president] Nick [Rogers]. We’ve had a few conversations about them buying my rights in MLS or bringing me in down the road. At this point, though, time will tell what ends up happening.”
Cropper was also recently linked with a move to NASL (the second division in the U.S.) side Jacksonville Armada, but that move fell through.
Meola out in Jacksonville, move comes just as the Armada were going to sign GK Cody Cropper. That deal is dead now. https://t.co/b7qdb2oLEp
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) August 7, 2016
The Revolution have used both Bobby Shuttleworth and Brad Knighton in goal this season with Shuttleworth seeing the majority of MLS minutes and Knighton leading the team on their run to the U.S. Open Cup Final. The team’s 44 goals conceded is the worst mark in MLS and Shuttleworth’s save percentage of 56.3% is the lowest of any MLS keeper with at least 20 saves and the only such keeper to be below 60%.
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