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Van Oekel to put time with Real Salt Lake to use with Energy FC

By Josh Evans, 01/10/18, 2:15PM CST

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The position of goalkeeper for a soccer club can be a thankless job.  Any error made by you ends up posted for the entire world to see on the giant scoreboard.  Even if the mistake that led to the goal was caused by a teammate, often times, the goalkeeper is blamed.

Goalkeepers also spend an inordinate amount of time diving for balls.  Not only during the games, but during practice as well.

Matt Van Oekel has seen it all in his nearly decade-long career as a goalkeeper.  A modest collegiate career led to an opportunity with the then Minnesota Thunder.  Continued success in the land of 10,000 lakes led to additional opportunities with Minnesota United FC of the NASL. 

His willingness to sign in cold-weather cities led him north…way north…to Edmonton and Edmonton FC, also of the NASL.  During his second campaign with the Eddies, he had a run for the ages with a .55 goals against average, .856 saves percentage and 16 clean sheets.  He awarded the NASL Golden Glove award as the league’s best goalkeeper.

Last season, he played with Real Salt Lake. Although he didn’t achieve the level of success he did in Edmonton, his consistent time with the first team bodes well for him as he approaches the start of training camp with Energy FC.

Matt Van Oekel joins Energy FC