Sean Melvin’s adventurous soccer goalkeeping career has brought him back to the Island, where it all began for him in the Gordon Head Youth and Victoria United Metro programs.
The six-foot-four ’keeper signed a two-year deal Thursday with Pacific FC of the Canadian Premier League. Early in his pro career, Melvin was under a Major League Soccer contract to the Vancouver Whitecaps, playing with main affiliate Fresno FC, after three starry seasons in NCAA Division 1 with the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
Melvin has national team experience and was called up to the Canada pre-camp ahead of a friendly set against Iceland in 2016. He earned his first cap in a 2017 victory against Bermuda. Melvin went into the game in the second half as an injury replacement for former PFC ’keeper Callum Irving, only for Melvin also to be injured, and replaced in goal by defender and fellow Victorian Adam Straith.
Melvin, 29, has CPL experience and made seven starts with three clean sheets for 2022 regular season champion and playoff finalist Atlético Ottawa. Before that, Melvin was the starter for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks of the USL, with a combined 35 appearances in 2020 and 2021.
“He [Melvin] has a fantastic character and we expect him to be a leader within our organization and in the community,” said PFC director of soccer Jamar Dixon.
Melvin is expected to not only mentor, but also challenge 20-year-old returning PFC starting ’keeper Emil Gazdov.
“Sean is a competitor who will push Emil every week and fight for a spot in the starting line-up,” said Dixon.
PFC begins its training camp in March with its 2024 CPL season opener on April 13 at Starlight Stadium against the HFX Wanderers of Halifax.
