Matthew Bell (footballer, born 2002)

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Matthew Bell
Personal information
Date of birth (2002-08-27) August 27, 2002 (age 21)
Place of birth Kingston, Jamaica
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Real Salt Lake
Number 12
Youth career
Real Mona FC
2020–2021 Kingston Football Academy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Marshall Thundering Herd 39 (20)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2022 Valeo FC 11 (9)
2024– Real Salt Lake 0 (0)
2024– → Real Monarchs (loan) 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 21, 2023

Matthew Bell (born 27 August 2002) is a Jamaican footballer who plays for Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.

Early life[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

In 2021, Bell joined Valeo FC in the National Premier Soccer League.[2][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]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Real Salt Lake Signs First-Round 2024 Draft Pick Matthew Bell". Real Salt Lake. February 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Scott, Livingston (December 21, 2023). "'He's an amazing talent'". The Gleaner.
  3. ^ "Matthew Bell Marshall profile". Marshall Thundering Herd.
  4. ^ "Yosef Hat-Trick, Stout Defense Propels No. 14 Men's Soccer to Shutout of VCU". Marshall Thundering Herd. August 25, 2022.
  5. ^ "No. 5 Herd Men's Soccer Racks up 2022 SBC Postseason Honors". Marshall Thundering Herd. November 4, 2022.
  6. ^ "Bell, Duggan Named 2023 Preseason All-SBC". Marshall Thundering Herd. August 14, 2023.
  7. ^ "Bell Named to 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List". Marshall Thundering Herd. August 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "Bell Tallies Hat Trick in No. 11 Men's Soccer Shutout Over Oakland". Marshall Thundering Herd. August 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Bell Named Sun Belt Conference Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week". Marshall Thundering Herd. August 29, 2023.
  10. ^ "Bell Earns Second SBC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week Award". Marshall Thundering Herd. September 19, 2023.
  11. ^ "Two Herd Student-Athletes Taken in 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Bell Highest Pick in Program History". Marshall Thundering Herd. December 19, 2023.
  12. ^ "No. 4 Marshall Men's Soccer Sweeps Major 2023 SBC Postseason Awards". Marshall Thundering Herd. November 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "Three Herd Men's Soccer Players Named 2023 United Soccer Coaches All-Americans". Marshall Thundering Herd. December 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Bell, Duggan Named 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists". Marshall Thundering Herd. December 6, 2023.
  15. ^ "Three Marshall Men's Soccer Student-Athletes Invited to 2023 adidas MLS Showcase". Marshall Thundering Herd. December 5, 2023.
  16. ^ "13 NPSL alums selected in MLS SuperDraft 2024". National Premier Soccer League. December 20, 2023.
  17. ^ "Marshall soccer's Bell, Duggan selected in MLS draft". WCHS-TV. December 20, 2023.
  18. ^ Walker, Sean (February 19, 2024). "Real Salt Lake signs first-round SuperDraft pick Matthew Bell to 4-year deal". Salt Lake FC.
  19. ^ Ireland, Kyle (February 19, 2024). "Real Salt Lake Signs First-Round Pick Matthew Bell". KSL Sports.

External links[edit]

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