Competition for top ‘keeper begins at Valour training camp

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This article was published 05/03/2019 (2576 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Valour FC head coach Rob Gale and his staff have many decisions to make prior to their season opener on May 1 in Victoria against FC Pacific.

But one of the most important decisions facing Gale is deciding who will be the team’s starting goalkeeper — Winnipeg native Tyson Farago or Mathias Janssens of Belgium.

Farago, 27, has the experience on his side, as he’s been playing professionally for six years. The former University of Winnipeg Wesmen goalie spent last season in the League of Ireland’s Premier Division with St. Patrick’s Athletic. He’s also spent time with WSA Winnipeg in the Premier Development League, Goias Esporte Clube in Brazil, as well as four seasons with FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League from 2014-17.

Janssens, 20, has three seasons of pro soccer on his resumé, as he spent two seasons on the reserve team for Waasland Beveren of the Belgium Pro League, before playing last season with RAAL La Louvière of the Belgian third division.

“Absolutely,” Gale said when asked if it’s an open competition for starting goalkeeper. “One of the reasons we brought Mathias in was we thought he would challenge immediately for that position. Straight away, looking at the sessions, he’s got great quality, distribution — so that competition is there from Day 1, and Tyson knew that and was aware of that. That’s exactly what we’re looking for.”

And what Gale is looking for from his ‘keepers during training camp is pretty simple.

“Well, No. 1, the keeper’s role is to keep the ball out of the net. So whoever does that the most impressively (will win),” Gale said.

“I think the old adage for a goalie is can they win you points? Can they steal you points and not lose you points? It’s the same in most sports, is he going to steal a game for you? Is he going to make that big save when it counts? Is he steady? Which one of those is going to step up into that role and play the game the way we want them to play? They’ve got to be an outfield player when we have the ball and be good with their feet. They’re not just there to stop the ball, they’re also there to initiate the attacks. It’s an all-around goalie in modern-day football.”

Janssens was discovered by Valour FC’s goalie coach, Patrick Di Stefani. Di Stefani, who used to play and coach in Belgium, keeps tabs on the pro soccer scene in the country and recommended Janssens to Gale a year ago. Janssens, who has never been to Canada before signing with Valour, said the opportunity to play in a new league with a new team seemed like the perfect opportunity to help him launch his career to the next level. He said he wants to be the starter, but he’s not putting any added pressure on himself in training camp.

“It’s the goal of any goalkeeper,” the French-speaking Janssens said through a translator after Tuesday afternoon’s practice at Winnipeg Soccer Federation North. “Whether you’re the first goalie or the fifth goalie, everybody wants to play. Of course, I want to be the first goalkeeper, but I take it day by day.”

With Farago being the veteran and a Canadian (six out of 11 starters must be Canadian), chances are he’s the favourite to land the gig. But Farago isn’t getting ahead of himself, either. He said at the pro level, there’s “always someone behind you on your heels” and that you have to “push yourself every day.” But, with that said, it’s hard not to picture how meaningful it would be to start for your hometown team, especially in Valour’s home opener on May 4 at Investors Group Field against Edmonton FC.

“I take it day by day, but that thought creeps into your head,” Farago said. “To step out in front of your family and friends in your home city, is something you dream of. I’m pushing every day to earn that spot.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31