Player Details

Name

Justin Joseph Meram

Pronunciation

MEER-um

Height

6' 1"

Weight

165 lbs

Date of Birth

12.4.1988 (36)

Birthplace

Shelby Township, MI, USA

Position

Forward

Roster Category

Senior
Career Summary

Acquired: Signed with Real Salt Lake on February 11, 2020. Re-signed with RSL on January 10, 2022.

College: Yavapai College & University of Michigan 

Professional Career

2021 Real Salt Lake: Played in 31 matches in 2021 and made 15 starts. Meram scored two goals and contributed five assists in 1,398 minutes during the regular season. Entering as a substitute in the 74th minute on October 27 at FC Dallas, Meram secured two assists in a come-from-behind road victory to help keep the Club’s playoff hopes alive. On Decision Day at SKC, Meram attempted an audacious bicycle kick just inside the six-yard box that was volleyed home by Damir Kreilach, a goal that sent RSL into the playoffs with its final kick of the season. In the opening round of the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, it was Meram’s encouragement of Justen Glad to take the final penalty kick that sent RSL through to the next round. In the following round, it was Meram’s assist to Bobby Wood in the 91st minute that saw RSL secure a 2-1 win at Sporting Kansas City and book its place in the Western Conference Final.

2020 Real Salt Lake: Meram played a total of 22 matches for Real Salt Lake, including 13 starts. He tallied three goals and four assists in 1,168 minutes for the club in 2020.

2019 Atlanta United: Atlanta acquired Meram in May of 2019. He went on to appear in 27 matches for the club, scoring four goals and three assists in total. Five of those appearances came in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, bringing his career totals in the tournament to 16 matches played and three goals scored with five assists.

2018 Orlando City: Meram appeared in 17 matches for Orlando City and recorded one goal and two assists in 1,392 minutes played. In addition to league play, Meram played in one Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match for Orlando City and scored one goal in a penalty shoot-out victory over D.C. United in the Round of 16. Meram was traded back to Columbus on August 3, 2018 to finish out the season.

2011-2017 Columbus Crew: Meram was selected 15th overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew. He made his MLS debut in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals against Real Salt Lake. His top seasons came in 2016 when he had five goals and 13 assists and 2017 when he notched 13 goals and seven assists. From 2014-2017, he averaged eight goals and 7.3 assists in 32.5 matches for Columbus before departing prior to the 2018 season. Meram recorded three goals and two assists in 16 career MLS Cup Playoff matches for Columbus, including an appearance in the 2015 MLS Cup Final.

International Career (Iraq)

2019: Meram appeared in two international friendlies and two 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. He scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Syria in a friendly on March 20. In total, Meram has accrued 33 caps with four goals to his credit. Three of his four goals came in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

2015: Meram made his international debut with Iraq on January 4, 2015 in a friendly against Iran. A week later, he joined Iraq in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and played in five matches. In September, Meram appeared in three 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and scored two goals. His first international goal came in a 5-1 victory over Chinese Taipei.