NASL FC Edmonton

Surprise 'Keeper Connection Is Nothing Less Than Inspirational'

Published on October 1, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


Goalkeeper Matt VanOekel has been nothing short of dominant for FC Edmonton this season.

The Eddies' shot-stopper has played all 26 games and 2,340 minutes for the club in 2016, allowing a league-low 15 goals in 26 games for an impressive goals against average of 0.58.

Gold Glove consideration? Absolutely.

His 14th shutout of the season in the club's 0-0 draw with Jacksonville tied the NASL clean sheet record. He'll look to take sole possession of that honour Sunday afternoon against the Indy Eleven at Clarke Stadium in what will be an all-important 'six-pointer' match in the race to the Championship with both teams tied for third in the Fall Season standings with 27 points.

History maker? Quite possibly.

It's only fitting that VanOekel has to do it against one of the United States' most prominent goalkeepers in the Eleven's Jon Busch, who served as an important stop in VanOekel's journey to an MVP-worthy 2016 season.

A native of Chesapeake, Virginia, VanOekel's first contact with the former Major League Soccer 'keeper came through the Virginia Beach Mariners, VanOekel's local second-division professional club where Busch played for three seasons from 1998-00.

"My parents bought tickets for us to watch the Mariners play back when I was just finishing up middle school," said VanOekel, who's in his second season with the Eddies after joining from Minnesota United FC in 2015. "As a birthday present I got five private, one-on-one sessions with (Busch), which as a young goalkeeper was a special moment for me."

Busch would leave the Mariners and begin a successful 14-year MLS career with the Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes before joining the Eleven in January of 2016. The 40-year-old had an MVP season in 2008 as MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, something VanOekel is looking to replicate here with FC Edmonton in the NASL.

"He's definitely a role model for me when you look at how he's made his way through the ranks of North American soccer," said VanOekel. "He established himself in the MLS and as one of the best keepers in the United States."

Busch also serves as Indy's Director of Goalkeeping, which to VanOekel is no surprise considering the amount of work Busch has done in terms of development over his career.

"You always knew he'd have a major impact in that department."

Fans can watch the keepers battle for their team's playoff position at Clarke Stadium this Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 p.m. MT. For FC Edmonton tickets, please click HERE, call 780.700.2600 or visit www.fcedmonton.com.

Check out the FC Edmonton Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



North American Soccer League Stories from October 1, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central