Sacramento Republic FC sign goalkeeper Adam Grinwis

Sacramento Republic FC announced on Tuesday they have signed goalkeeper Adam Grinwis. The 27-year-old joins after two seasons spent in MLS with Orlando City SC.

Grinwis hails from Michigan and played NCAA soccer at the University of Michigan. After turning pro in 2015, he spent two seasons in the USL for the Rochester Rhinos, winning a league title his rookie season. In 2017 he went to Saint Louis FC, where he spent a season, then moved to Orlando in 2018. Last year, he went on a short loan to Real Monarchs, but he also had a terrific run with Orlando in the U.S. Open Cup, where they went to the semifinal and Grinwis had a starring role in the quarterfinal, where the Lions beat NYCFC in a penalty shootout.

“Adam impressed us greatly when looking at his game footage from both MLS and USL, and he has won a championship at the professional level,” said Republic FC general manager Todd Dunivant in a team statement. “We think he has significant upside, and we believe he has the tools and mindset to become a top goalkeeper.”

All things considered, this seems like a great move for Sacramento. Grinwis is still growing as a player, and he got a cup of coffee at MLS level, and has extensive experience at USL Championship level. He’s likely got a bit of a chip on his shoulder and likely has a lot to prove. Bring it on.

More news for this Wednesday:

• Another USLer headed to Maccabi Haifa: The Charleston Battery announced on Tuesday they are sending goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky on loan to Maccabi Haifa with a fee arranged should the Israeli club want to pick up the permanent purchase option. At Haifa, Kuzminsky joins a familiar face to Sac Republic fans, in former goalkeeper Josh Cohen, who has made 16 appearances across all competitions since joining in the summer for Maccabi Haifa. The club is currently in 2nd place in the Israeli Premier League, losing just two league games so far.
• About Cohen’s life off the field... Cohen was able to get Israeli residency in short order due to his ancestry, and just before the new year Maccabi Haifa posted a video of Josh’s trip to a government office to pick up his Israeli residency card, and he seems to be embracing the adventure on the other side of the world.

• Navigating the post-playing days: A good feature in The Athletic, as former Seattle Sounders captain Brad Evans details his first year since retiring as a player. The big takeaway? Sometimes the next step in one’s life doesn’t leap out at you, and Evans’ wait for an “epiphany” doesn’t always come when it was expected.

Today’s question: Assuming Adam Grinwis will be the No. 1 in goal for Sac Republic, what’s the next priority on the team’s roster with preseason right around the corner? Leave a comment below, let’s chat!