Washington, D.C. - D.C. United announced that the team has signed goalkeeper Shawn Crowe and forward Brad North to developmental contracts. Crowe, a three-year starter at Florida International University, was D.C. United's first pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft and the 11th overall. North was taken in the second round (24th overall) of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft after four successful years at Northwestern University. Per Major League Soccer policy, terms of the deals have not been released publicly.
Crowe was a three-year starter for the Panthers between the posts and was also a teammate of Bobby Boswell's for three seasons (2002-2004). The six-foot, three-inch Aurora, Colorado native played in 12 games for FIU in 2006, allowing only 12 goals and earning two clean sheets en route to posting a 1.04 GAA on the campaign. For his career, Crowe played in 49 games for Florida International.
"We have been impressed with Shawn's athletic qualities and work-rate during our pre-season camp," said United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "I'm certain that he will improve greatly from our training environment under the direction of Mark Simpson."
A native of The Woodlands, Texas, the 6-foot, 1-inch North scored 39 goals in 78 games (45 starts) for the Wildcats. He was named as a First-team All-Big Ten selection in both his junior and senior seasons and was named to the Second Team 2006 Great Lakes All-Region Team.
"Brad is an intriguing prospect that we are excited about investing time with," continued United Technical Director Dave Kasper. "He is a big, strong striker who has a nose for the goal."
