UWF Alum Keith Savage Seeing Success in USL-1
UWF Alum Keith Savage with the Portland Timbers (Photo courtesy of the OregonianPENSACOLA, Fla. — Former University of West Florida men’s soccer star Keith Savage continues to reach new heights in his professional soccer career. The 6’2’’ 185 pound Gulf Breeze native is in his second professional season, first with the Portland Timbers of the United Soccer League First Division. As a midfielder for the Timbers, Savage netted his first professional goal, a game-winner, back on June 4th in the final minute of regulation to down the Montreal Impact 1-0.
Savage’s goal came on a 30 yard free kick played from teammate David Hayes to Cameron Knowles on the back post. Knowles headed the ball to Savage in space who then fired a point blank shot from about two yards out to find the back of the net for the game winner. The goal helped the Timbers improve their unbeaten streak to eight games, second longest in franchise history.
After a stellar senior season with the Argonauts in 2007, Savage was selected as the 43rd overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by Chivas USA of Major League Soccer. In his rookie season he earned three starts while appearing in the six games to log 295 minutes.
The Timbers, who are a part of the United Soccer League’s First Division, eagerly signed Savage who did not resign with Chivas USA following his rookie campaign. The USL's First Division is USL’s highest level of men’s professional soccer in the US, Canada and the Caribbean. In 2009 the league features teams in 11 major markets, each playing 30 regular season matches, 15 home and 15 away. Along with regular season matches the clubs also compete in several premier domestic and international tournaments and exhibitions throughout the US, Canada and the Carribean. In 2011 the Timbers are slated to join Major League Soccer as the league’s 18th team.
Savage’s former team and the reigning Gulf South Conference Champion Argonauts return to the field on August 28th to host Flagler College at home at 5pm CT to kick-off their 2009 season.
For more information on Argonaut athletics or to follow along with live stats, fans can keep up with the action at www.GoArgos.com.
