University of St. Thomas Athletics
Cody Cropper brings strong resume to Men's Soccer staff
7/6/2023 2:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
St. Paul, Minn. – University of St. Thomas Men's Soccer coach Jon Lowery has announced the addition of Cody Cropper as an assistant coach on his staff.
Cropper brings 15 seasons of high-level playing experience as a goalkeeper, including 11 years as a professional competing in national and international leagues.
"We're thrilled Cody is a Tommie, as he aligns very well with the ambitions we have set forth for our student athletes and program in general," Lowery said. "You can only get to where he has been as a player with unique ambition, drive and hard work. He will fit right into or process-orientated approach and benefit each of our student athletes, while giving our defenders and goalkeepers the highest level of guidance."
Cropper played seven seasons as a goalkeeper in Major League Soccer from 2016-22 with the New England Revolution (2016-19), the Houston Dynamo (2020), FC Cincinnati (2021) and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2022). He's currently playing in his third season in the United Soccer League with stops with the Hartford Athletic (2018), Memphis 901 (2021) and Orange County SC (2023).
His resume also includes a three-year stint with Southampton FC in the Barclays Premier League from 2012-15. That followed a span playing with the Ipswich Town matchday squad as a 17-year-old with Ipswich for the League Cup match. He later made his EFL Cup debut for Milton Keynes Dons in 2015 and made 10 appearances for Milton Keynes during the 2015-2016 season.
Cropper had an 11-year run playing on U.S. Soccer national development teams starting in 2008 at age 19 with the U-17 Residency Team; later with the U-20 National and U-23 National teams; and followed by experience with the U.S. National Team. He currently works as a Youth National Team Scout for U.S. Soccer.
Born in Atlanta, Ga., Cropper grew up in the Twin Cities suburbs. He played locally with the Minnesota Thunder Academy and also spent time with the U.S. Soccer U-17 residency program in Florida. St. Thomas is preparing for its third season of Division I competition in the Summit League, and starts practices in early August.
