Sommer, Juergen

Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 02/27/1969
Height: 6' 6"   Weight: 215 lbs
College Experience: Indiana
Caps: 10

Biography:

A ten-year veteran of the U.S. national side, Juergen Sommer's agility and sheer physical stature combine to create a fearsome sight between the posts for opposition attackers at every level.

 

After earning 19 shutouts at Indiana between 1987 and 1990 and earning 1990 NCAA Adidas Goalkeeper of the Year honors, Sommer became the first American goalkeeper to pull a tour of duty in the mighty English Premiership, joining up with London outfit Queens Park Rangers in 1995 after short lower league spells with Brighton, Luton Town and Torquay.

 

His experience abroad and unflagging net minding abilities caught the eye of the powers that be in the U.S. national team camp, and the 6ft 6in keeper was included in the 1994 and 1998 World Cup sides after he served as an alternate under coach Bob Gansler in 1990.

 

National Team Highlights:
1998 - Earned a spot on the U.S. team  that competed in the 1998 World Cup in France.
1995 - Helped the U.S.  national team to a semifinal appearance in the 1995 Copa America.
1994 -  Named to the USA¿s 1994 World Cup squad that reached the second round of the  tournament.
1990 - Named an alternate for the 1990 U.S. World Cup team.

 

Professional Highlights:
2002 - Split time in net (3-8-1, 2.39 GAA)  with Adin Brown leading the Revolution to the final of the 2002 MLS Cup.
2001 - Spent a short training stint with Bolton Wanderers of England before returning to the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer.
2000 - Signed with the  Revolution after recovering from a pair of major knee injuries.
1998 - Began  his MLS career with the Columbus Crew.
1995 - Signed with Queens Park  Rangers, becoming the first American keeper to play in the English  Premiership.
1993 - Named English goalkeeper of the year.
1993 - Reached  the FA Cup semifinal with Luton Town at Wembley against Premiership powerhouse  Chelsea.
1991 - Signed with English first division side Luton Town.

 

Personal: Juergen Sommer has spent two years as a volunteer assistant coach under John Kerr at Harvard University. His late father was a professional goalkeeper in Germany.