SPORTS
BY KILLIAN DOHERTY
A EUGENE SOCCER STAR SLOWLY RISES
I
’ve occasionally questioned the adage that patience is
a virtue, but Brian Rowe has proven its wisdom — at
least in the context of pursuing a professional soccer
career as a goalkeeper. The route Rowe took from
playing youth soccer here in Eugene to playing at the
highest level of professional soccer in North America was
somewhat slow and sinuous, but his patience and
perseverance have paid off.
Growing up in Eugene, Rowe played several sports —
including football, track and golf (as well as soccer) at
South Eugene High School. With the encouragement and
insight of coaches Colin McMillen and Anthony Latronica,
Rowe began considering playing collegiate soccer as a
goalkeeper.
Having played with the Olympic Development Program
(ODP) and having attended several goalkeeper camps,
Rowe put himself in good position to play at a top college
program. His longtime teammate from American Youth
Soccer Organization (AYSO) soccer and friend from
Roosevelt Middle School, Ryan White, helped persuade
Rowe to play for UCLA’s college program, where they got
to compete together once again.
UCLA’s soccer program is one of the best in the coun-
try, and Rowe didn’t secure a full-time starting position
until his fourth year. He said it was difficult, at times, to
watch the matches from the bench; he had moments of
doubt and questioning whether he chose the right school,
and even briefly considered trying out for UCLA’s football
program as a kicker.
Eventually Rowe earned his starting position between
the goalposts and helped lead UCLA to the Final Four after
wasn’t available. In his first three sea-
sons with the Galaxy, Rowe estimates
that he played about 10 full matches —
and never more than two consecutively.
In this year’s season opener, Rowe
found an immediate opportunity to play
when the Galaxy’s starting goalkeeper,
Dan Kennedy, was injured early in the
first half. Rowe has remained in the
Galaxy’s goal box ever since and has
proven himself to be one of the best goal-
keepers in the league.
In the 2016 regular MLS season,
Rowe had the highest save percentage of
any keeper to play a majority of the sea-
son (or 2,000 minutes) and the lowest
Goals Against Average (GAA) of any
keeper playing at least 30 matches, at
1.10.
Rowe also ranked third in the league
for most shutouts (9) and third for most
saves (113 saves of 148 shots faced —
many less than the only two keepers with more saves this
season). It’s no wonder the website Total MLS recently
selected Rowe as “Goalkeeper of the Year.”
While the Galaxy’s season and playoff hopes ended
Nov. 6 after a dramatic penalty shootout in which Galaxy’s
veteran offensive players failed to put the ball in the back
net three out of their four attempts, it was undoubtedly a
successful and rewarding season for Eugene’s rising soc-
cer star.
Eventually Rowe
earned his starting
position between
the goalposts and
helped lead UCLA to
the Final Four.
winning their conference without losing a match.
The Los Angeles Chivas drafted Rowe to play in the
MLS in 2012, but that club ultimately chose not to sign
him. Rowe ended up with several different MLS teams as
a backup goalkeeper until the Los Angeles Galaxy finally
signed him later that year.
Once again, however, Rowe was watching most of his
team’s matches from the bench, only getting an occasional
opportunity to play when the Galaxy’s starting keeper
24th
ing Day - Friday, Nov.
th
International Buy No
7th
Year!
Closed Bicycle Friday
friends, to
ay while riding to visit
iving. Enjoy Bicycle Frid
ksg
p? Buy
an
sho
Th
st
er
Mu
aft
n.
ay
dow
Frid
We’re closed
type of sunshine rains
r
eve
ich
wh
in
k
!
soa
ing
to
buy
coffee, lunch, or just
d to limit the impulse
there to reduce stress an
locally. Consider biking
$100 Gift Cert. – Only $79 thru Nov. 30!
2705 Willamette St • 541.484.5410
Mon.–Fri. 11–7, Sat. 10–6, Sun. 12–5
SPRINGFIELD
EUGENE
Black Friday Open House/Fundraiser
November 25th • 11-3 pm • Historic Mims House • 330 High St.
• Purchase T-shirts
• Become a Member
• Enjoy Hot Chocolate & Sweet Potato Pie
• Tour One Of The Oldest Houses In Eugene
• Visit The Mims Memorial With Family
The NAACP stands as a commited community partner dedicated to equality & dignity
for all people. As the oldest, most cussed and discussed social justce organization in the
World, we call on all people to join us in holding up what is best for all people, love, and
tolerance. Join the association today! Power comes through numbers.
Support Social Justice & Multicularlism!
Eugene
Tues., Nov 29 th - 5 :30 pm
Eugene Public Library
~ Singer Rm ~
100 W 10th Ave.
1-877-MEDITATE
(Talk given by a local speaker)
Sant Baljit Singh
S pirituality
Sant Mat
The path of inner Light and Sound
The goal of Sant Mat is to enable the soul to return and merge into its source;
the purpose of human life described by mystics of all traditions.
Admission Free
www.santmat.net
eugeneweekly.com • November 23, 2016
13