Former Bull Bobby Shuttleworth Excelling In MLS
6/13/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Photo Courtesy of Keith Nordstrom / New England Revolution
BUFFALO, NY - Men's soccer alumni Bobby Shuttleworth proved for three seasons at UB that he was an elite goalkeeper, and now in his fifth season playing for the Major League Soccer's New England Revolution, he is starting to show soccer fans all over the country what he's about.
As of the beginning of this week, the Tonawanda, NY native led the league in goals against average (0.75), save percentage (.800) and shutouts (seven), allowing just nine goals in his 12 starts so far. As of today, he is in the midst of a four-straight shutout streak in league play that started back on May 11.
The 395 straight scoreless minutes between the pipes stand as a new club record for the charter member of the MLS. He has been a major factor in the team's rebuilding effort, as it stands just outside the playoff race after a combined record of just 18-49-26 in the three seasons prior to 2013. His rise started in 2012, when he went 3-3-1 with a 0.71 GAA as the backup goalie for the Revs.
His professional numbers are eerily similar to the numbers he put up as the net-minder for Buffalo from 2006 to 2008. He made 33 starts, with a 0.80 GAA that still stands as the program record for a career. During his college career, he spent time playing amateur soccer with a name that's now leading the new era of UB soccer. Shuttleworth played for head coach Stu Riddle on the Kalamazoo Outrage in the USL Premier Development League, where the two would join forces to lead the team to an Elite 8 finish in the 2008 season.
"I'm really pleased for Bobby and the current success he's having in the MLS," Riddle said. "I thoroughly enjoyed coaching him in the PDL and knew at the time he was a very talented keeper who had a bright future in the game."
Today, when he isn't shutting down opposing offenses in the country's highest professional soccer league, Shuttleworth is an assistant coach at Bentley University. Located just down the road from where the Revolution plays, Bentley has been a second home to Shuttleworth for three seasons.
Fans can now vote for Bobby to play in the upcoming MLS All-Star game by following this link. The 32-member team will be announced on July 31, when it will take on Italian Serie A power Roma at 9 pm on ESPN2 at Sporting Park in Kansas City.
"He's making us all very proud and hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg for him," Riddle added. "He can push on from this point and become a big star in the league."
The Revolution is coming off a 4-2 win over the New York Red Bulls in US Open Cup play, advancing them to the quarterfinals. The team returns to league action when it visits Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday night.
