Is it possible for a rotation policy to be successful in soccer, specifically between the posts at Toronto FC?
It depends on who you ask.
The disastrous Major League Soccer campaign of 2012 exposed plenty of glaring problems within the team, especially on the defensive end, where the Reds allowed a league-worst 62 goals.
Performances so far haven’t been perfect this year — far from it. But after four matches played in 2013, TFC have only conceded half the number of goals than at this time last season (six) and collected four points, including a precious win. Toronto didn’t win its first game last season until late May.
Progress has been made, but is their merit in splitting duties in goal, especially when possessing two quality goalkeepers in Joe Bendik and Stefan Frei? Hockey has adopted this method in recent years in an effort to battle complacency and fatigue. But could it work in soccer?
When sportsnet.ca posed the question to Frei, the Swiss ‘keeper was blunt with his answer: “That’s a question you have to ask the coach; whatever he wants and is best for the team, that’s what’s most important.”
Frei suffered a broken nose in pre-season, which led to Bendik becoming the new number one for the start of the regular season. But even though Frei has since recovered, Bendik has held on to the top spot.
Coach Ryan Nelsen’s decision to stay with Bendik ahead of Frei was somewhat surprising, considering the club veteran’s dedication and long recovery from a string of injuries (broken fibula and nose) that forced him to miss all but the opener last season. Nelsen stressed upon his arrival that every position is up for grabs in the starting line-up, and players won’t be able to rest on past laurels.
It has been over a year since Frei has played a competitive match, and after speaking with him, there is no questioning his professionalism. However, like any player, watching from the bench is starting to take its toll. His demeanour spoke volumes to his current plight, though you would never know from his answers.
“The team always comes first; I will always play my role, no matter what that may be,” Frei told sportsnet.ca. “I’m going to push as hard as I can to get on the field. If I don’t get on, hopefully I can push my teammate on the field to get better and help the team.”
Confidence is a fragile virtue for every ‘keeper. Training helps, but game experience is what matters. It’s a lonesome position that brings with it a heavy burden.
Bendik has performed admirably this season. Aside from a few timing issues on crosses, the American has been solid between the posts. Bendik has a spectacular left-foot, he is extremely accurate in distributing the ball, and has made timely saves to bail out his teammates. Almost all the goals conceded this season can be attributed to defensive errors that have left him helpless to make the save.
Bendik was honest but firm when asked for his opinion about rotation.
“You gain confidence with every game played, you learn something new every time,” he said.
Naturally, sitting on the bench would negatively impact a goalkeeper’s focus, which would make splitting playing time damaging to his psyche.
“I don’t know what it’s like in hockey, it’s a different sport, but each game you play in you get better and if you don’t, you sit,” Bendick stated.
That concept is quite simple when it comes to goalkeepers.
That’s not to say an outfield player is treated differently, but the route into the first team is not necessarily the result of a teammate’s shortcomings. Either through injury or a drastic dip in form by your counterpart can a back-up goalkeeper ever be given the opportunity to become first choice. More importantly, a switch is made only when results go south. The psychological strain is immense, which magnifies the competition for places.
How do you support a teammate when his failure is to your benefit? It definitely takes strong character, an attribute that the position commands and is on the same level with the other key skill-sets: focus and confidence.
“Somebody with an ego can be difficult, in our situation, Stefan and I are on good terms and just want to learn,” Bendik offered.
Respect is an important commodity between goalkeepers. At TFC, Frei and Bendik seem to be supportive of one another, and emphasized the team’s greater good over individual gain. Their answers were politically correct, succinct, but above all honest. Bendik is relishing and seizing his opportunity, while Frei patiently waits.
Captain Darren O’Dea referenced last season’s dreadful performances to trust issues on the defensive end.
“A goalkeeper is a unique position, and we’re lucky to have two very good goalkeepers so it might not affect us all that much. But last year we had rotation and it affected us dramatically because it’s a very important bond with defenders and ‘keepers,” O’Dea said.
O’Dea added: “If your goalkeeper is doing a job, I don’t think you should be rotating.”
Defender Richard Eckersley agrees with O’Dea: “It’s good to have consistency, even though they are two great ‘keepers. You don’t want to see plenty of players swapping and changing all the time.”
You can definitely sense a different attitude among the team, though results prove otherwise. Toronto continues to be troubled by a lack of defensive cohesion, cracking under pressure and squandering precious points from advantageous positions.
Most notably last weekend, they battled back to take the lead at BMO Field, only to surrender a late equalizer in injury time against the defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy. The problem is a reoccurring nightmare for TFC supporters.
The underlying truth resonating inside the TFC locker room was that goalkeeper rotation is not an ideal practice in soccer, at least not for this club.
Been there, done that.
