WPFC Alumnus Tim Merritt

DC UNITED (Former MLS) Retired

 

2005 MLS:  Merritt was drafted in the fourth round (48th overall) 2005 MLS SuperDraft by DC United. Merritt made only one appearance with United’s regular squad but was a strong contributor to the reserve team’s inaugural MLS Reserve Division championship in 2005.

Merritt spent the next two years playing abroad in Germany with FSV Oggersheim. At FSV Oggersheim, Merritt helped the club win promotion to the Regionalliga Süd in 2007. In his two years with the club, he compiled 40 appearances while tallying 1 goal and 6 assists.

After suffering a knee injury while playing in Germany, Merritt returned to the United States in 2008. While recovering, he played with the amateur Seattle Wolves in the South Puget Sound League, and having trialed with the San Jose Earthquakes during pre-season, Merritt signed with Miami FC in 2009. He went on to play 24 games and score one goal for Miami before choosing to retire from professional soccer and pursue other career opportunities at the end of the season.

College: Tim played college soccer at the University of North Carolina from 2001 to 2004. Merritt was a two-time second-team All-ACC selection at defender for Carolina and was a member of the Tar Heels’ 2001 NCAA Championship team. He scored 10 goals and had 11 assists for 31 points over his collegiate career.  One of the ACC’s top defenders and a two-year starter ... Also a great finisher off set plays ... Expected to be one of the team’s top leaders ... Played this summer with the Carolina Dynamo of the Premier Development League.

Junior (2003) -- Earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors at defender ... Started all 20 games and ranked fourth on the team with nine points (four goals, one assist) ... Earned the Nicholas Douglass Potter Coaches Award ... Scored game-winners in 1-0 wins over Michigan and at Davidson ... Dramatic game-winning header against the Wolverines at the Carolina Nike Classic came in the 86th minute of action ... Took 18 shots on the year, including a season-high four versus New Hampshire ... Defensively, anchored a back line that recorded 10 shutouts and allowed only 16 goals on the season for a 0.75 goals against average ... Named ACC Player of the Week and selected to the Soccer America Men’s National Team of the Week after leading the Tar Heel defense to a shutout win over No. 1 Maryland on Oct. 5.

Sophomore (2002) -- Moved to defender at the start of fall practice and quickly adapted to the new position ... Started 21 of 22 games ... Did not play in the loss at Virginia Commonwealth ... Recorded eight points on the season (two goals and four assists) ... Scored against Long Island and Navy ... Had two assists in the win at Campbell and single assists against Elon and UNC Wilmington.

Freshman (2001) -- Saw action in 14 games in the midfield and started two ... Started and had a goal and an assist in his first college game, versus East Carolina ... Had an assist in the ACC Tournament win over NC State ... Saw action in three NCAA Tournament games, including the four-overtime win over Stanford in the national semifinals.

Personal: A product of Bellarmine Prep H.S. ... The captain of F.C. United for six years and plays for the F.C. United Premier Soccer Club ... A two-time adidas All-America ... Named Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington in 2000 ... A member of the Region IV ODP teams since 1999 ... Volunteered with Down’s Syndrome children, the Special Olympics, Boys & Girls Club and homeless shelter in the Tacoma area ... Trained in England with Manchester United coaches.

Born on June 25, 1982 ... Timothy Charles Merritt is the son of Hugh and Liz Merritt ... Majoring in communication studies.