The Columbus Crew selected three players in Tuesday’s 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft, with the Black & Gold taking University of Alabama-Birmingham defender Reed Matte, Marshall University goalkeeper Daniel Withrow and High Point University midfielder Shawn Sloan. All three players will join the club in preseason training in Bradenton, Fla. and will compete for a roster spot heading into the 2013 Major League Soccer season.
“We’re excited to get Reed, Daniel and Shawn into preseason camp,” said Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss. “All three players had strong college careers and we look forward to having them compete to make our roster.”
Matte joins the Crew after completing four years of collegiate soccer at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. An outside defender, Matte started in all 20 of the Blazers’ matches in 2012, recording two goals and three assists. In all, Matte played in 75 matches over four years while tallying four goals and seven assists. As a senior, Matte was named to the NSCAA Academic All-American team.
2012’s Conference USA Co-Player of the Year, goalkeeper Daniel Withrow recorded a career-high nine shutouts last season for the Marshall Thundering Herd. Withrow made 67 appearances in net over four years, keeping 21 shutouts during his college career. Withrow was named to the All-Conference USA First Team three times, winning the conference’s Defender of the Year Award in 2010.
Midfielder Shawn Sloan comes to Columbus following four seasons as an All-Big South First Team honoree at High Point University. During his college career, Sloan scored 24 goals and assisted on 27 others. The midfielder was honored as the Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2011 and 2012.
All three players are set to join recently selected 2013 MLS SuperDraft selections Ryan Finley and Drew Beckie in preseason camp. The club departs for Bradenton, Fla. on Thursday, January 24 to launch the first of two preseason trips to the Sunshine State.
Name: Reed Matte
Position: Defender
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 170
Born: August 7, 1991 (Birmingham, Ala.)
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected ninth overall in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft on January 22, 2013
Previous Experience: University of Alabama Birmingham (2009-12)
Name: Daniel Withrow
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 180
Born: May 24, 1990 (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
Hometown: Rochester Hills, Mich.
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected 28th overall in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft on January 22, 2013
Previous Experience: Marshall University (2008-12)
Name: Shawn Sloan
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165
Born: November 24, 1990 (Geneva, Ill.)
Hometown: Geneva, Ill.
Citizenship: United States
Acquired: Selected 66th overall in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft on January 22, 2013
Previous Experience: High Point University (2009-12)
