The 2006 Major League Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year award winner earned seven caps with the United States national team.

Not expected to contribute, Perkins was given an opportunity after both Nick Rimando and Doug Warren lost their starting positions.

Although Perkins was performing well, the team suffered during his tenure, and he was replaced near the end of the season with Nick Rimando, who would also start for United throughout the playoffs.

Despite the injury, Perkins notched the Timbers' first-ever league shutout with their 1–0 victory over Real Salt Lake on April 30, 2011.

[8] On January 11, 2016, Perkins announced his retirement and joined the Seattle Sounders FC Academy as a staff member.

Perkins considers that his training as a mortgage loan processor is important and has stated, "Goalies can usually play until they're around 40, so you have to think about a job after retirement," He has an "austere pregame routine, which entails shutting off all electronics and not talking to anyone for 24 hours.

'"[12] After retiring from professional soccer and leaving the Sounders organization, Perkins was sworn in as a police officer in Kennewick, Washington in January 2017.