Andrew Thomas (footballer, born 1998)

Andrew Delmos Thomas (born 1 September 1998) is a Russian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for New Mexico United in the USL Championship on loan from Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer.

Andrew Thomas
Personal information
Full name Andrew Delmos Thomas
Date of birth (1998-09-01) September 1, 1998
Place of birth Moscow, Russia
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Seattle Sounders FC
Number 26
Youth career
2008–2017 Watford
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2020 Stanford Cardinal 55 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2017 Watford 0 (0)
2016 → Wealdstone (loan) 1 (0)
2019 San Francisco City 2 (0)
2021– Seattle Sounders FC 0 (0)
2021–2023 → Tacoma Defiance (loan) 34 (0)
2023– → New Mexico United (loan) 8 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 22, 2023

Early life

Thomas was born in Moscow, Russia, to an American father and a Russian mother, but his family moved to London at a young age; as such, he holds citizenship for Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.[1] Thomas attended the Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood.[2]

Alongside football, Thomas was a keen cricketer, who played for the Middlesex County Cricket Club youth team from 10 years old, as well as representing the England cricket team at under-17's level.[2]

Career

Youth

In 2008, Thomas joined the Watford academy aged 9 years old, going on to help their under-18's to the Professional Development League South Championship in 2016, keeping nine consecutive clean sheets.[2] On 21 October 2016, Thomas moved on a short-term emergency loan to Wealdstone, making a single appearance for the National League South club.[3] Thomas opted to leave the club following this season to move to the United States.

College and amateur

In 2017, Thomas moved to the United States to study and play college soccer at Stanford University. He redshirted his freshman season, but went on to make 55 appearances for the Cardinal over three seasons, helping the team become Pac-12 Champions in 2018 and 2020. During his time at Stanford, Thomas also earned accolades including three-time United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region, three-time All-Pac-12 First Team, Pac-12 All-Academic First Team in 2018, United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team in 2019, and the NCAA Elite 90 Award in 2019.[2]

During his 2019 season, Thomas also appeared for USL League Two side San Francisco City, making two appearances for the club.[4]

Professional

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the college soccer season, Thomas wasn't eligible for the 2021 MLS SuperDraft in January 2021. However, on 20 May 2021 it was announced that Thomas, Jacob Montes and Spencer Glass would all be made available to MLS clubs via the waiver process.[5] The following day, Seattle Sounders FC acquired the top spot in the waivers process from Chicago Fire in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money, and subsequently selected Thomas.[6]

In June 2021, Thomas joined Seattle's USL Championship affiliate side Tacoma Defiance on loan, starting for the club during a 2–0 win over LA Galaxy II.[7]

Thomas was loaned to New Mexico United of the USL Championship on September 1, 2023, for the remainder of the USL season.[8]

International

Thomas is eligible to represent England, Russia and the United States at the international level. In 2019, he was twice called up to United States under-23 training camp but never appeared for the team.[9][10]

References
  1. "Thomas Signs With Seattle". Stanford University Athletics. May 24, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  2. "Andrew Thomas - Men's Soccer". Stanford University Athletics.
  3. Barrett, Matt (October 21, 2016). "Stones bring in keeper from Watford".
  4. "San Francisco City FC | uslleaguetwo.com". www.uslleaguetwo.com.
  5. "MLS to conduct Waivers for 3 players following conclusion of NCAA season | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer.
  6. "Sounders FC selects Stanford goalkeeper Andrew Thomas off waivers following conclusion of NCAA season | Seattle Sounders FC".
  7. "SERRANO BRACE LEADS WAY FOR TACOMA IN 2-0 HOME WIN OVER LA GALAXY II". June 28, 2021.
  8. "Sounders FC Loans Goalkeeper Andrew Thomas to New Mexico United" (Press release). Seattle Sounders FC. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  9. "Andrew Thomas' next pset: Stanford goalie discusses life on and off the field". The Stanford Daily. October 25, 2019.
  10. "Thomas Called Again by U.S. Soccer". Stanford University Athletics.
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