KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- As the month of July winds down, multiple Bronco alumni are finding ways to impact the game at the professional level including: Brandon Bye, Daniel Nimick, Dylan Sing, Charlie Sharp, Jonathan Robinson, Hunter Morse, Jaylen Shannon, Will Perkins, Sean Lewis, and Sam Biek.
Brandon Bye: New England Revolution
As a Bronco, Bye led the men's soccer team to its first MAC regular season championship, NCAA Tournament win, and national top-five ranking as a team captain in 2017. Bye, the second player ever taken from Western Michigan in the MLS Draft, is tied for the third most game-winning goals in program history and is seen throughout the men's soccer record book. After suffering a season-ending ACL injury last season, WMU men's soccer legend Bye made his long-awaited return on June 22, versus Cincinnati as a reserve in New England's 2-1 victory. After two additional appearances as a sub, Bye made his first start of the season against Seattle on July 6 and totaled a then-season-high 61 minutes. Over his six games played during the 2024 MLS regular season, Bye has started in three, compiling seven clearances and adding 187 touches.
On the ground, the defender is on pace for a career-best season as a passer, averaging a pass accuracy of 78% after 100 attempts. In the air, the WMU alum has won 50% of his aerial duels against opponents.
Prior to his injury, in 19 starts during 2023, Bye scored two goals and added two assists for the Revs. Over his MLS career, Bye has played in 159 games (142 starts) and has scored nine goals, while adding 17 assists.
Daniel Nimick: Halifax Wanderers
Tied for the third most game-winning goals in WMU program history with Bye, Nimick was nominated for the Canadian Premier League's Defender of the Year award, the Players' Player of the Year award, and named to the CPL Best XI team at the end of his first season in the league in 2023. During his first season in the CPL, Nimick scored a total of six goals and added three assists in 28 CPL matches.
Entering his second season in the CPL, Nimick was named an assistant captain for the HFX Wanderers. Through 11 games played this year, Nimick has scored five goals and added an assist for his club. For his efforts this season, Nimick has been named to the CPL Gatorade Team of the Week three times (week 5, week 11, week 15). Over his CPL career, Nimick has made 38 appearances for the Wanderers and has scored 11 goals.
Dylan Sing: Crown Legacy FC
WMU's second all-time points and goals leader Sing has transitioned exceptionally to MLS Next Pro Play in 2024. In 14 games played for Crown Legacy FC, the forward scored five goals and supplied two assists in 928 minutes on the pitch. Over his last five games, Sing has found his groove by scoring three goals for Crown Legacy to increase his goals per 90 minutes average to 0.48 per 90 minutes. Sing has found more ways to improve his offensive arsenal and has created opportunities for his teammates in the final third, resulting in two assists over his last five games. Currently, Sing is tied for the seventh most goals scored on the season at the MLS Next Pro level.
Charlie Sharp: Toronto FC II
The Brown and Gold's all-time points and goals king has played phenomenally in the MLS Next Pro 2024 season. In eight games for Toronto FC II (five starts), Sharp has scored four goals. The WMU alum did not miss a beat transitioning from college to the next level after scoring three goals over his first four matches for Toronto. In 496 total minutes on the pitch for TFC II, Sharp has averaged 0.73 goals per 90 minutes. Earlier this season on May 15, Sharp made his MLS debut against Nashville SC and played a total of 14 minutes.
Jonathan Robinson: Sporting KC II
WMU's single-season assist leader Robinson has played in nine games for Sporting KC II thus far in 2024 and has added an assist to his MLS Next Pro resume. Robinson is ranked fifth among defenders on SKC II in clearances with six and his one assist is tied for third-best among backline players on SKC II.
Hunter Morse: Cincinnati FC II
Tied for the second most shutouts in a single season at WMU, in six starts (six appearances), Morse has captured 13 saves in goal and a career-high three interceptions this season for Cincinnati FC II. On the ground, the goalkeeper has displayed a career-best 67.3% pass percentage with 17 accurate long balls and 13 successful short passes.
Jaylen Shannon: Chicago Fire II
In 16 starts (16 games appearances), Shannon has had his footprints all over the field for Chicago Fire II this season completing 587 passes (the second most passes on the team). With 1,408 minutes of game time under his belt, Shannon has accumulated an 86.5% passing percentage, which is tied for the 18th-best passing percentage in all of MLS Next Pro (minimum 580 attempts). In the defending third of the field, Shannon has helped Chicago Fire II to six shutouts so far this season.
Will Perkins: Huntsville City FC
Last month, Perkins signed with Huntsville City FC on June 8 and has played in six games for the club, starting in four contests. After coming off the bench in his first two matches, Perkins was inserted into Huntsville's starting lineup and has made four consecutive appearances as a starter in MLS Next Pro play. Over the course of the season, Perkins has accumulated an 80.1% passing percentage and has helped Huntsville City to a goals-allowed average of 0.75 over his four starts. Prior to joining Huntsville City, Perkins had a brief stint with Union Omaha in USL League One.
Sean Lewis: One Knoxville SC
Tied for the third most shutouts in a single season at WMU, the 2023 USL League One Golden Glove winner has faced 42 shots this season, allowing only eight goals in 11 appearances (11 starts) for One Knoxville SC. Currently, Lewis is tied for first in USL One with five clean sheets and is ranked third in the league in saves with 34 and counting. Last year, Lewis totaled 85 saves, secured eight clean sheets, and posted a league-best 1.04 goals against average.
Sam Biek: Miami FC
In 13 appearances for Miami FC, the defensive midfielder has won a total of 43 duels in USL Championship play, including 20 aerial duels while also securing nine interceptions. On the ground, Biek has averaged a 78.1% passing percentage after 544 attempts this season.
For all things WMU men's soccer, make sure to follow the team on Instagram, @wmu_menssoccer, X, @WMUMensSoccer, and Facebook at @wmumenssoccer.
