SANDY, Utah (Monday, September 11, 2017) – Real Salt Lake has signed Real Monarchs GK Connor Sparrow after two seasons with the USL club. Sparrow, 23, was originally drafted by Real Salt Lake in the fourth round (65th overall) in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to join Real Salt Lake,” Sparrow said. “The last two years have given me the opportunity to play in some high-quality, competitive matches. That’s helped my progression and it’s been really rewarding to have the success we’ve had with the Monarchs this season.”
Sparrow joins the first team after spending two seasons with the Monarchs, making 18 starts. He holds a record of 10-3-5 with six shutouts and a 1.11 goals against average. This season he is 10-2-4 with six shutouts and a 0.88 GAA. He has faced four penalties this year without allowing a goal.
At the collegiate level, he started 49 matches in three seasons at Creighton, allowing 32 goals while earning 23 shutouts after playing his freshman season at University of Missouri-Kansas City. In his senior season with Creighton, he led the Blue Jays to the Elite Eight while posting nine shutouts in 23 matches, including one in a Sweet Sixteen victory over North Carolina.
“Connor has put in the work. We saw potential in him coming out of college and he’s done everything we’ve asked to help his own development and help the Monarchs be successful,” RSL General Manager Craig Waibel said. “We are proud of what he has done to this point and look forward to seeing his continued growth.”
The Monarchs clinched the club’s first playoff berth last week and are in the midst of a record-breaking campaign. From April 22-June 19, the club won a USL-record nine straight matches. At Rio Tinto Stadium, the Monarchs won 10 straight matches dating back to the 2016 season before drawing with the Tulsa Roughnecks on July 31.
He becomes the fifth player to make the leap from the Monarchs to Real Salt Lake, joining FW Emery Welshman, DF Chris Schuler, FW Ricardo Velazco and MF Nick Besler. In addition, current RSL Head Coach Mike Petke and Assistant Coach Freddy Juarez both earned promotions from the USL club.
