Matt Perrella
Matt Perrella (born October 6, 1991) is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Utica City FC in the Major Arena Soccer League.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Perrella | ||
| Date of birth | October 6, 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | North Brunswick, New Jersey, United States | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Utica City FC | ||
| Youth career | |||
| – | New Jersey Copa SC | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Rider Broncs | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| – | Durham City | ||
| 2013 | Jacksonville Armada | 0 | (0) |
| 2014 | Carolina Railhawks | 0 | (0) |
| 2015 | New Jersey Copa SC | 8 | (0) |
| 2015 | Syracuse Silver Knights (indoor) | 1 | (0) |
| 2016 | Bethlehem Steel FC | 4 | (0) |
| 2017 | Jacksonville Armada | 0 | (0) |
| 2017 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 8 | (0) |
| 2018 | Atlantic City FC | 8 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Harrisburg Heat (indoor) | 12 | (0) |
| 2019– | Utica City FC (indoor) | 1 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2018 | Matabeleland (assistant) | ||
| 2019– | Drexel Dragons women (assistant) | ||
| 2019– | Ocean City Nor'easters (assistant) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of May 16, 2020 | |||
Career
After playing four years of collegiate soccer at Division I Rider University, Perrella went on to get his Master’s from Durham University in England. While playing for non-league side Durham City A.F.C., he was scouted by Newcastle United F.C. when Durham played the Newcastle United Reserves and won 2-0 with Perrella keeping a clean sheet in an outstanding performance. This led to trials with Newcastle United F.C. in England, Udinese Calcio in Italy, LB Châteauroux in France, FK Daugava Rīga in Latvia and APOEL FC in Cyprus. In the US, Perrella spent time with the Carolina Railhawks (now North Carolina FC) and Sporting Kansas City. Perrella's European tour came to an end when he was denied of dual citizenship (US/France) and returned to the US.
In 2013, Perrella signed with Jacksonville Armada FC at the start of the clubs franchise. After making zero appearances in four months, Perrella left for Sporting Kansas City.
In 2016, Perrella signed with Bethlehem Steel FC.[1] Perrella also had previous stints with Carolina Railhawks of the NASL and New Jersey Copa SC of the NPSL On May 1, 2017, Steel FC announced that they and Perrella had mutually parted ways, with Perrella not making an appearance during the 2017 season.
On May 14, 2017, Perella signed with Jacksonville Armada FC on a one match loan to provide goalkeeping cover.
On August 10, 2017 Perella signed with Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL on a contract for the remainder of the season. He was intended as a replacement for Keasel Broome, who had to undergo season-ending wrist surgery.[2] Perrella's contract expired at the end of the season and was not renewed by the Riverhounds.[3] He made eight appearances during his short spell with the club.
In 2018 Perella played with NPSL side Atlantic City FC and was the Keystone Conference goalkeeper of the year.
Perella joined the Drexel Dragons women's team coaching staff on April 12, 2019.[4] He also joined the staff of USL League Two's Ocean City Nor'easters in the summer of 2019.[5]
Perella was signed by Utica City FC of the MASL on May 30, 2019.[6]
References
- "ELITE Owner Matthew Perrella Signs for Bethlehem Steel FC".
- "RIVERHOUNDS SIGN MATT PERRELLA". Riverhounds.com. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
- "HOUNDS ANNOUNCE INITIAL OFFSEASON ROSTER PLANS". Riverhounds.com. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
- "Perrella Named Women's Soccer Assistant Coach". DrexelDragons.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- "Nor'easters head coach Kevin Nuss announces coaching staff for 2019 season". OceanCityFC.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
- "UTICA CITY SIGNS MOISES GONZALEZ, DIEGO ZUÑIGA, AND MATT PERRELLA". UticaCityFC.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.