There are few positions in sports as unique as a goalkeeper in soccer and at Real Salt Lake the goalkeeping competition will once again be the subject of much attention. Jeff Dewsnup, Zac MacMath, Andrew Putna and David Ochoa will all compete to claim the starting spot for RSL’s Week 1 contest in 2021, a competition that will become palpable as the season draws nearer, but one that will likely carry on throughout the year.
RSL.com spoke with newly appointed Goalkeeping Coach Ignacio “Nacho” Hernandez about what he and the rest of the coaches think of the goalkeeping core and what they want to see during the 2021 preseason.
“We have a group of really talented goalkeepers that each bring something different to the table,” Hernandez said. “All of our goalkeepers this year need to have the mentality that they’re going to be starting in Week 1. To compete with that mindset every single day provides a very healthy competition between them. No one can be satisfied with being the backup goalkeeper. You have to be hungry to play.”
Bringing Hernandez aboard, Head Coach Freddy Juarez has placed a trust in him to coach the netminders to be technically sound, good with their feet and communicate to those on the field, both offensively and defensively. All of these principles, in turn, translate to the overall playing style of the team and the principles that Juarez is looking to implement.
“My philosophy is high intensity for short periods of time. I think that’s important when it comes to training goalkeepers," Hernandez said "We emphasize our footwork without the ball, constant communication, being an ‘extra defender’, and having the confidence to claim balls in the air to relieve the pressure. Whoever has those four principles locked down after the preseason work will start the first week.”
As RSL moves through the 2021 preseason the goalkeeping core will see players of all experience levels available for selection to the coaching staff with each player looking to make his mark for a starting job. Since the legendary Nick Rimando’s departure from the club after the 2019 season, the club went in search of its new starting netminder and has since been embedded in a goalkeeping competition.
In 2020, Andrew Putna saw the majority of minutes between the pipes for RSL, with Zac MacMath seeing minutes early in the season as well. David Ochoa saw his first minutes on an MLS field in the club’s snowy-final match of the 2020 season and has shown his pedigree, despite his young age, with the United States U-23s as it continues its quest for an Olympic berth. RSL’s 16-year-old rookie, Jeff Dewsnup's, experience stems from training at both the MLS and USL Championship levels.
“We have goalkeepers on the roster who have seen all levels of experience and for me it’s about who wants to be the starter. We know Zac MacMath has played a lot of games in this league, we know Andrew Putna showed well by playing the majority of minutes in 2020 and David Ochoa is one of the brightest young goalkeepers in MLS," Hernandez said "The competition level is fierce but it’s key to remember that it’s a long season and it’s easy to step into the starting role, but it’s sustaining yourself as that starter that is the challenge.”
The question remains as to who will start the 2021 season as the first-choice goalkeeper for the club but carrying such a deep talent pool of goalkeepers engaged in the competition, provides the perfect problem for Juarez, Hernandez and the rest of the coaching staff ahead of the club’s 17th season in MLS.
“Whoever wins the starting job to start the season will have earned it," Hernandez finished "But a competition remains for the guys who don’t start. They still need to push and train hard every single day so that when their chance comes, they’re ready to do the best they can for the team. Patience is key when you’re not starting as a goalkeeper. They have to push whoever the starter is, and I think our group this year is going to do that very well.”
