GoalKeeper Matt VanOekel Standing Tall In Renaissance Year

Photo credit: Tony Lewis/FC Edmonton

FC Edmonton goalkeeper Matt VanOekel is leading the North American Soccer League in saves (70), shutouts (10), save percentage (87.5) – aside from Sebastian Evers’ 100 percent, making two saves in his only appearance before leaving the game to an injury – and goals against average (0.53). The veteran shot-stopper was recently named Player of the Week for his nine saves against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

But can and should the Eddies goalkeeper be considered one of the best in North America? FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller certainly thinks so.

“Matt VanOekel could arguably, at this moment in time, be one of the best goalkeepers in North America, and that’s quite a statement to make,” Miller told NASL.com.

VanOekel, 29, joined the Eddies in 2015 after seven years in Minnesota. He made 25 appearances with six shutouts and 1.47 goals against average in his first season in Edmonton. After coming on strong towards the back end of last year, VanOekel has been playing at a different level in 2016, possibly as a result of changes made in the offseason.

“We had a discussion and I wanted him to address one or two issues in the offseason and he did that,” Miller said. “He came in much better than he has ever been in his career and he is the beneficiary of that. If he is benefitting from it, than we, as a club, are benefitting.”

The ‘keeper has cited improved fitness as a help this season and heaped praise on the club’s back line earlier in the year.

“I don’t think they get enough credit,” he said. “Those guys deserve so much credit for making the shots coming at me more predictable where I’m able to make the save as well as protecting me all around. I don’t think I’ve been as busy as I was last year.”

VanOekel has since become the anchor of the league’s best defense. FC Edmonton, which currently sits in first place in the Fall Season and Combined Standings, has allowed just 10 goals in 19 games, keeping a clean sheet in more than half of its contests. .

“I think his decision-making of when he is coming in for crosses and intercepting balls that have been played past the back four, for me is a sign of a goalkeeper that is playing very well,” Miller said. “Matt’s all-around game is much, much sharper.”

VanOekel will continue to stake his claim as the frontrunner for the league’s Golden Glove award on Sunday when the team returns home to face Puerto Rico FC on Sunday. The club is on a nine-game winning streak at Clarke Field and can tie a league record with another this weekend.