Matthew Bell (footballer, born 2002) explained
Matthew Bell |
Birth Date: | 27 August 2002 |
Birth Place: | Kingston, Jamaica |
Position: | Forward |
Currentclub: | Real Salt Lake |
Clubnumber: | 12 |
Youthclubs1: | Real Mona FC |
Youthyears2: | 2020–2021 |
Youthclubs2: | Kingston Football Academy |
Collegeyears1: | 2022–2023 |
College1: | Marshall Thundering Herd |
Collegecaps1: | 39 |
Collegegoals1: | 20 |
Years1: | 2021–2022 |
Clubs1: | Valeo FC |
Caps1: | 11 |
Goals1: | 9 |
Years2: | 2024– |
Caps2: | 0 |
Goals2: | 0 |
Years3: | 2024– |
Clubs3: | → Real Monarchs (loan) |
Caps3: | 11 |
Goals3: | 3 |
Club-Update: | June 2, 2024 |
Matthew Bell (born 27 August 2002) is a Jamaican footballer who plays for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.
Early life
Bell was born in Kingston, Jamaica.[1] He began playing youth soccer in Jamaica with Real Mona FC, later joining the Kingston Football Academy in 2020.[2]
College career
In 2022, Bell began attending Marshall University, where he played with the men's soccer team.[3] On August 25, 2022, he scored his first goal in his collegiate debut in a 5-0 victory over the VCU Rams.[4] At the end of his first season, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year and named to the All-Sun Belt Conference First Team.[5]
Ahead of the 2023, he was named to the All-Sun Belt Preseason Team and named to the Mac Hermann Trophy Watch List.[6] [7] On August 24, 2023, he scored a hat trick in a 4-0 victory over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.[8] In his second season, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week twice.[9] [10] He finished the season with a single-season school program record 12 assists and 10 goals for 32 points.[11] At the end of the season, he was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, as well as being named to the All-SBC First Team.[12] He was also named a First Team All-American and finished as a Mac Hermann semifinalist.[13] [14] He was also invited to participate in the MLS College Showcase.[15]
Club career
In 2021, Bell joined Valeo FC in the National Premier Soccer League.[16]
At the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Bell was selected in the first round (16th overall) by Real Salt Lake.[17] In February 2024, he signed a four-year contract with the club.[18] [19]
Honours
Individual
Notes and References
- Web site: Real Salt Lake Signs First-Round 2024 Draft Pick Matthew Bell. February 19, 2024. Real Salt Lake.
- Web site: 'He's an amazing talent'. December 21, 2023. Livingston. Scott. The Gleaner.
- Web site: Matthew Bell Marshall profile. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Yosef Hat-Trick, Stout Defense Propels No. 14 Men's Soccer to Shutout of VCU. August 25, 2022. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: No. 5 Herd Men's Soccer Racks up 2022 SBC Postseason Honors. November 4, 2022. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Bell, Duggan Named 2023 Preseason All-SBC. August 14, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Bell Named to 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. August 24, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Bell Tallies Hat Trick in No. 11 Men's Soccer Shutout Over Oakland. August 24, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Bell Named Sun Belt Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week. August 29, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Bell Earns Second SBC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week Award. September 19, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Two Herd Student-Athletes Taken in 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Bell Highest Pick in Program History. December 19, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: No. 4 Marshall Men's Soccer Sweeps Major 2023 SBC Postseason Awards. November 3, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Three Herd Men's Soccer Players Named 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-Americans. December 8, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Bell, Duggan Named 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists. December 6, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: Three Marshall Men's Soccer Student-Athletes Invited to 2023 adidas MLS Showcase. December 5, 2023. Marshall Thundering Herd.
- Web site: 13 NPSL alums selected in MLS SuperDraft 2024. December 20, 2023. National Premier Soccer League.
- Web site: Marshall soccer's Bell, Duggan selected in MLS draft. December 20, 2023. WCHS-TV.
- Web site: Real Salt Lake signs first-round SuperDraft pick Matthew Bell to 4-year deal. February 19, 2024. Salt Lake FC. Sean. Walker.
- Web site: Real Salt Lake Signs First-Round Pick Matthew Bell. Kyle. Ireland. February 19, 2024. KSL Sports.