The Montreal Impact’s 2012 roster continues to take shape as the club announced on Friday the signing of goalkeeper Evan Bush for its MLS expansion debut next season.
Bush, the winner of the NASL’s Golden Glove award for best goals-against average, becomes the second player from the Impact’s 2011 second-division roster to make the jump to MLS after last week’s signing of French midfielder Hassoun Camara.
“Evan has shown in 2011 that he can be a top goalkeeper,” Impact head coach Jesse Marsch said in a statement. “With his performances during the last season, he has earned the right to join the Impact for its move to MLS. I am looking forward to challenging him at the next level.”
The 25-year-old Bush was originally brought in by Montreal in March to back up veteran Bill Gaudette. But Bush was forced into No. 1 duty in June when Gaudette was lost to injury. He seized the opportunity with aplomb, finishing the campaign with a league-leading 0.76 goal-against average, allowing only 14 goals in 19 games. He also kept nine clean sheets, including seven in his last 10 games of the season.
Bush began his career with Chicago Fire Premier and has also had stints at Crystal Palace Baltimore and Cleveland City Stars. The Ohio native played college ball at the University of Akron under Caleb Porter and current Louisville coach Ken Lolla.
The signing of Bush now brings Montreal’s MLS roster to three, including Camara and former Inter Milan defender Nelson Rivas. The Impact will continue to build their squad via the Expansion Draft on Nov. 23, when they will select 10 players.
