In this week’s Grand Circus Player Profile, we get to know City goalkeeper Colin Miller. The Maryland native currently attends Providence College in Rhode Island and was Big East Goalkeeper of the year in 2016.
So far this season, Miller has started three games for Le Rouge. His first was against Michigan Stars FC on May 14th, where he helped earn the team a 2-2 draw. He also started against AFC Ann Arbor on May 21st and again versus Glentoran FC last Saturday night.
Miller was named the 2016 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year and started 16 game for the Friars during the 2016 season as a redshirt sophomore. According to the Providence Athletics website, Miller made 67 saves only allowing 12 goals, had eight shutouts and finished the season with a 14-2 record.
As a redshirt athlete, Miller has two more years of eligibility at Providence. He began his tenure at Providence in 2014, but did not play that season. In 2015, he played in two games, most notably helping the team win a Big East quarterfinal game in penalty kicks.
He added the team has had its most two successful seasons while he has been on the team, with a Final Four run in 2014 and an Eight Eight run in 2016.
“Our team at Providence has had the best two seasons in school history. My freshman year made the Final Four and this past year we made the Elite Eight,” Miller said. “We won our conference tournament my freshman year which was the first time in school history. We won our conference regular season, which was the first time in school history.”
DCFC Director of Goalkeeping Bret Mollon reached out to Miller in February and offered him an opportunity to train and play for the team. Despite weighing options with a couple of Premier Development League clubs, Miller said Detroit offered the best experience for both training and living.
Miller added the atmosphere and the crowd at Keyworth Stadium is unlike anywhere else he could have played this summer, which played a factor in his decision.
“I didn’t know too much about the team,” Miller said. “They said they were looking for a goalkeeper. The opportunity was too enticing to pass up. I was more than happy to commit. I decided Detroit City was going to be the best training environment. The atmosphere compared to the other teams was definitely top of the table.”
With the season well underway, Miller said he is enjoying his workout regimen with his fellow goalies, and is thankful to be the starter right now.
“It’s been a great training environment,” Miller said. “On the depth chart we have two other goalkeepers. We have Joe and Nate and they’re great guys to train with. I have fortunately started three games; I stepped in and was fortunate enough to earn it.”
While recognizing his first two starts weren’t as positive as the team hoped for, Miller hopes the 1-0 win over Glentoran will build momentum as the team returns to league play.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the results in my first two games with the tie and a loss,” Miller said. “Hopefully our win over the weekend will get the ball rolling to get the results we think we deserve with the talent on the team. The game we just played against Glentoran was probably our most complete team effort. It was a step in the right direction and we hope to build off that. We played a great first half against the Stars and even against Ann Arbor. But we just weren’t able to put it together for the second half.”
Though the start has not been desirable, Miller said the team is trusting the process.
Head coach Ben Pirmann constantly tells the players they have the potential to win every game, and Miller said he tries his best to promote that message while in goal. He said the fans have high expectations, and he hopes the team will meet them the rest of the season.
“For me, as a goalkeeper, I have the mentality where I want to go out and win every game,” Miller said. “Going into this Friday and Sunday we want to get six points out of it. We know we can achieve that. We don’t expect anything less. I know the fans have high expectations for us this year and we want to live up to it. Ben keeps telling us trust the process. We’re just trying to buy into it. It’s tough having guys coming from all over the country. It’s a work in progress.”
In addition to playing soccer every day, one of the most enjoyable parts of being in Detroit for Miller is the professional environment bolstered by a passionate fan base, owners, coaches and media.
“The most enjoyable part about it is being able to focus on soccer every day,” Miller said. “We’re treated like pros out here. I enjoy the professional atmosphere. The fan base we have here motivates us and pushes us. All the fans, the hype and the media really gets you up for a game. The smoke bombs, chants or whatever they’re doing – it all gets us going. Being able to play in Keyworth is part of the professional environment that’s been created here.”
Miller said building team chemistry with the team this summer has been positive and affects their performance on the field. Though it’s a short season, he said the relationships built with his teammates go beyond the season.
“It betters our performance on the field when we get to know each other,” Miller said. “We can even get into each other on the field – they aren’t going to take it personally.”
As for after the season, Miller said he will play his two more years of eligibility at Providence. He will graduate with his undergraduate degree next spring, then will begin a Masters in counseling or business in his fifth year. He hopes to keep playing in the future as well.
“Hopefully I’ll have a playing opportunity to pursue after Providence,” Miller said. “If not, I look forward to bettering myself as a person. I’m trying to be a good person on and off the field. I’m always trying to be a good representation of my school and Detroit.”
Other Accolades and Facts:
-Big East Goalkeeper of the Week (Nov. 7, 2016)
-Big East Weekly Honor Roll (Oct. 31, 2016)
-Big East Goalkeeper of the Year (2016)
-All-Big East First Team
-Selected to the NSCAA Dev. 1 All-Great Lakes Second Team
-Selected to the R.I. Capital City Classic All-Tournament Team
-Attended C. Milton Wright High School and led the team to a regional title his senior year as captain
-Played for the Baltimore Bays Chelsea 15/16 Academy Team and the Baltimore Bays Chelsea 17/18 Academy Team
