Nor'easters alumni goalkeeper, Keasel Broome has signed with the North American Soccer League’s New York Cosmos. The former Providence Friar and San Jose Earthquakes draft pick earned the contract after a trial with the famed side.

Broome in action with the Nor'easters in 2013

The Ocean City Nor’easters would like to congratulate another alumnus on a milestone in their professional career as the New York Cosmos have signed Alum goalkeeper and former Providence Friar, Keasel Broome.

The Cosmos are one of the marquee clubs of the North American Soccer League, and won the league title in the first season back in 2013. The team also will have a reserve side in the NPSL’s North Atlantic Conference this summer.

Broome joined the Nor’easters for the 2013 season, forming a formidable goalkeeper trio with New Zealand U23/Olympic keeper Michael O’Keeffe and Brian Billings, fresh off a MVP performance in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament with Bradley University. The three backstopped Ocean City to their second straight Mid-Atlantic Division title and a playoff run to the PDL’s National Semi-Finals.

Broome’s biggest impact as a Nor’easter would come in the 2013 U.S. Open Cup. Squaring off in the first round against the NPSL side New York Red Bulls U23, Broome earned a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory against the MLS reserve club. His performance would help set the tone as Ocean City made a run to the Cup’s Third Round, also defeating the USL PRO‘s Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the process.

Keasel said of his time with Ocean City, “Working with Brian Billings, Mike O'Keeffe, and Spencer Palombit (fourth keeper), was a great and competitive environment that made each of us better throughout the season and we all took something away from each other to add to our games. The coaching staff made training games realistic with a lot of 11v11 which helped us for the PDL and U.S. Open Cup run. Having played in the Open Cup gave me a first hand look at professional competition early on in my career and something I want to be around day in and day out.”

Broome spent time with the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) before signing with New York Cosmos

Broome played his college soccer with Providence College. In 58 games across three seasons, Broome would start 58 games and earned a 1.17 goals against average. His final season, in 2014, would be his most successful as he led the Friars to a 16-5-2 record including 8 shutouts. The team would go on to win the school’s first ever men’s soccer Big East title and their first trip to the College Cup semifinals where they would finally fall in an overtime thriller against UCLA. Despite a successful season like that, Broome was overlooked for the MLS Combine and didn’t receive an invite. Despite not having the chance to showcase his skills for scouts in person, at this January’s MLS SuperDraft, the San Jose Earthquakes would make him their third round pick.

However, Keasel’s time as an Earthquake would be short-lived as an unfortunate shoulder injury would wreck his chances at making the MLS side. Despite the setback, Broome looks at his time at the Quakes camp positively, “The shoulder injury kept me out of training and San Jose had to do the best for the club. I appreciate and still thank San Jose for everything for my time out there.” Shortly after, the Cosmos came calling as Keasel told OceanCityFC.com, “The Cosmos reached out to my agent expressing interest and I was very interested in going on trial and potentially earning a spot on the team. I would assume they saw some college games and wanted to give me a chance.”

Broome in action vs UCLA in the 2014 NCAA College Cup Semifinals

Broome started his trial with the Cosmos in early March, joining the club as they traveled to El Salvador for a preseason friendly versus Club Deportivo F.A.S. On his time with the club, Broome explains, “Everything has been first class and amazing, especially for me who just graduated college.”

“Being a part of this club, especially my time on trial in El Salvador and Florida has been a dream becoming reality. This team travels, trains, does everything first class and it is an exciting time to be apart of a team with high profile players. Training with guys like Raul, Marcos Senna, Adam Moffat, Danny Szetela, Jimmy Maurer, and Andres Flores will only make me better in the long run and gain solid experience. “

We wish Keasel the best of luck as the Cosmos open their NASL season this Saturday in Ft. Lauderdale.

2015 Individual Match and Season ticket packages are on sale now. For more information, call (609) 432-8271 to speak with a Nor'easters ticket representative, email us at tickets@oceancityfc.com, or visit www.oceancityfc.com/tickets for ticket package information.

Text "KEASEL" to (609) 432-8271 to receive an exclusive promo code, for ticket purchases made online via www.oceancityfc.com/tickets.

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