Washington, D.C. – D.C. United announced today that the club has acquired goalkeeper Steve Cronin. United sends fellow goalkeeper Troy Perkins to Portland in exchange for the MLS veteran and allocation money. Cronin returns to the Black-and-Red following a brief stint in Washington during the 2009 season. This is United’s second offseason transaction with the Portland Timbers in 2010, as the club sent defender Rodney Wallace and a 2011 SuperDraft selection to the expansion side in exchange for midfielder Dax McCarty on November 24.
“We are very familiar with Steve’s ability in goal and we are pleased to welcome him back to D.C. United,” said General Manager Dave Kasper. “He is a solid, young goalkeeper with several years of experience under his belt, and we fully expect him to compete for the starting goalkeeper job. This move will permit us to have greater flexibility with future moves to strengthen our team.”
Kasper continues, “We also want to thank Troy for his time with the club, and we wish him well with his new opportunity with the Timbers.”
PHOTO GALLERY:
Photos from Steve Cronin's MLS career
Cronin started 28 matches for Portland in the USSF Division-2 Pro League in 2010, anchoring a backline that ranked second in the league in goals allowed. The California native ranked among the league leaders in shutouts (12), minutes played (2,509), and third in goals against average (0.79). In 2009 Cronin was named USL First Division Goalkeeper of the Year with the Timbers, leading the club to a record 24-match unbeaten streak during the regular season.
During his time in Portland, Cronin was loaned to D.C. United at the end of the 2009 campaign, making his first appearance on October 17 in a shutout victory over Columbus. Cronin started two regular season matches for United, posting a 1-0-1 record, while appearing in a CONCACAF Champions League match against Mexican side Toluca on October 20. Prior to 2009, Cronin spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy, earning his first career victory on April 29, 2006 in a 3-2 win over Real Salt Lake. His best year in Los Angeles came in 2008, when Cronin started 22 matches before injuring his hand on August 30 against New England.
Cronin was selected tenth overall by San Jose in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft after a three-season college career with Santa Clara University. After leading the Broncos to West Coast Conference titles in 2001 and 2003, Cronin did not see any first team action in his first and only MLS season with the Earthquakes.
Perkins returned to D.C. United on January 13, 2010 following a two-year stay with Norwegian First Division side Valerenga IF. In 2010, the goalkeeper played in 22 regular season matches for the Black-and-Red, registering five shutouts and a 1.68 goals against average mark. In all competitions Perkins appeared in 26 games (24 starts). Before departing for Europe in 2007, Perkins enjoyed four successful seasons with D.C. United. An undrafted rookie in 2004, the Ohio native went on to become an MLS All-Star in 2006, while claiming the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award that same season.
VIDEO:Video highlights of Steve Cronin
PHOTOS:Photos from Cronin's career
Name: Steve Cronin
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 200
Jersey: TBD
Date of Birth: May 28, 1983
Age: 27
Place of Birth: Fair Oaks, Calif.
Citizenship: United States
Last Club: Portland Timbers
Acquired: Signed on December 16, 2010
