WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United has signed forward Matt Nickell, 21, to a developmental contract the team announced today. Selected in the first round of the 2005 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft on February 4, Nickell spent a portion of the preseason with the team before returning to Drake University to finish his undergraduate studies. He will rejoin the team in mid-May to continue training.
"We are pleased to have signed Matt to a developmental contract," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "He is a crafty forward who we feel will make future contributions to our club."
Nickell saw time in two preseason games in February, notching a goal and two assists in a 5-1 win over Real Salt Lake, and seeing 45-minutes time in a 3-2 win over the U.S. U-17 National Team. An offensive specialist from Waukee, Iowa, Nickell set single season records at Drake University with 13 goals, 11 assists, for 37 points in his junior year en route to being named first-team all-Midwest Region and first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference. He was the Bulldog's leading scorer during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He ended his collegiate career tied for the all-time assist record with 22 and finished second in the record books with 31 goals and 84 points.
