Troy answered a few questions from the fans
From humble beginnings, the former MLS goalkeeper of the year started his career in MLS by working two jobs.
“Initially in 2004, when I got picked up by D.C., I was the third goalkeeper,” Perkins said to Impact Media. “I signed a developmental contract. Back then that was peanuts. You’re talking no health insurance, living in D.C. and living off of $850 a month before taxes. So I started working at a sporting goods store, probably 30 hours a week. Then the next year, a friend of mine set me up to do some part-time work with a mortgage company. I kept moving up in the company and in the offseason, I was working 50 hours a week. During the season, I still managed 30 to 40 hours a week. They set me up with a laptop and a phone, so I can work from my hotel room on the road.”
READ: Perkins - A lot to prove in 2013
Then in 2006, Perkins had a break out year with D.C. United in which he won 15 games and was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Perkins followed that with 16 wins in 2007 and several appearances for the U.S. national team. Perkins was at the top of his game.
Then, he returned to MLS in 2010 after three seasons with Valerenga in the Norwegian first division and laboured to find the win column. In his last three seasons, Perkins’ best output was nine wins in 2011 with the Portland Timbers in its inaugural season. Some of that is the result of playing for an expansion side, but Perkins told Impact Media in an interview last week that he has a lot to prove in 2013.
A career that has had some peaks and valleys, Perkins came from humble beginnings, so he knows what it takes to get back to the top. After a strong stint with the Impact in the second half of 2012, Perkins is on solid footing for his ultimate climb back up to the top of the mountain as one of the league’s best goalkeepers.
