Van Oekel aims for leadership role with FC Edmonton Photo courtesy NASL. by Matthew Levine,



NASL January 15, 2015 - The length of Matt Van Oekel’s professional career so far has looked pretty similar. For seven years he took up residence in the Minnesota goal.



Heading into the 2015 season, it will be a much different experience for the veteran goalkeeper. He now heads north of the border to FC Edmonton, although he admitted it was a difficult decision.



“My wife and I own a house here in Minnesota. I have a lot of history; my whole professional career of seven years has been in Minnesota. I’m leaving a lot of good friends behind," he told NASL.com.



“It’s definitely difficult, but at the same time it’s exciting. I’ll be in a different country playing soccer. I’m still doing what I love.”



It was a phone call from FC Edmonton’s head coach Colin Miller that swayed Van Oekel’s decision.



“Colin called me and told me that he really liked me and wanted me to come join him at FC Edmonton. He told me about the organization,” Van Oekel said. “He told me about the culture of the team and how it’s a very hardworking, younger group of guys.



“Obviously, I’ve been to Edmonton quite a few times over the years and enjoyed my stays there. I do like the facilities.”



Despite having other offers on the table, he felt “that FC Edmonton would be the right choice for me at this point in my career.”



And after a late push in the Fall Season narrowly saw the Eddies awarded a place to compete in ‘The Championship’, Van Oekel is hoping to bring one specific aspect to help the club go one step further.



“I’m hoping to bring some leadership since I am a veteran,” he said.



“Looking at the roster about players, backgrounds, how old a lot of these guys are - I’m one of the older guys on the team. I haven’t been that ever in my career so I’m hoping to bring a little bit of knowledge and how to make it through the season.”



Once arrived in Canada, Van Oekel will compete with last season’s Golden Glove winner John Smits, who posted a 0.90 goals against average (GAA). To his credit, Van Oekel posted a 0.95 GAA.



However, It’s a competition the former Minnesota United FC player is ready to embrace and hopes it will be beneficial for both goalkeepers.



“It’s going to be great. Smits is a great goalkeeper. I’m looking forward to meeting him and starting training camp. I know I’ll be able to teach him something, and I hope I can pick up a few things from him as well,” he said.



While the move from Minnesota United FC to FC Edmonton will bring several changes off the field, there will be one big distinction on home game days for the 28-year-old. The games at Clarke Stadium are on Sunday afternoons.



“It’s going to be different. I do like playing under the lights, but it gives Edmonton a big advantage because it messes up the other teams’ routines,” he said. The length of Matt Van Oekel’s professional career so far has looked pretty similar. For seven years he took up residence in the Minnesota goal.Heading into the 2015 season, it will be a much different experience for the veteran goalkeeper. He now heads north of the border to FC Edmonton, although he admitted it was a difficult decision.“My wife and I own a house here in Minnesota. I have a lot of history; my whole professional career of seven years has been in Minnesota. I’m leaving a lot of good friends behind," he told NASL.com.“It’s definitely difficult, but at the same time it’s exciting. I’ll be in a different country playing soccer. I’m still doing what I love.”It was a phone call from FC Edmonton’s head coach Colin Miller that swayed Van Oekel’s decision.“Colin called me and told me that he really liked me and wanted me to come join him at FC Edmonton. He told me about the organization,” Van Oekel said. “He told me about the culture of the team and how it’s a very hardworking, younger group of guys.“Obviously, I’ve been to Edmonton quite a few times over the years and enjoyed my stays there. I do like the facilities.”Despite having other offers on the table, he felt “that FC Edmonton would be the right choice for me at this point in my career.”And after a late push in the Fall Season narrowly saw the Eddies awarded a place to compete in ‘The Championship’, Van Oekel is hoping to bring one specific aspect to help the club go one step further.“I’m hoping to bring some leadership since I am a veteran,” he said.“Looking at the roster about players, backgrounds, how old a lot of these guys are - I’m one of the older guys on the team. I haven’t been that ever in my career so I’m hoping to bring a little bit of knowledge and how to make it through the season.”Once arrived in Canada, Van Oekel will compete with last season’s Golden Glove winner John Smits, who posted a 0.90 goals against average (GAA). To his credit, Van Oekel posted a 0.95 GAA.However, It’s a competition the former Minnesota United FC player is ready to embrace and hopes it will be beneficial for both goalkeepers.“It’s going to be great. Smits is a great goalkeeper. I’m looking forward to meeting him and starting training camp. I know I’ll be able to teach him something, and I hope I can pick up a few things from him as well,” he said.While the move from Minnesota United FC to FC Edmonton will bring several changes off the field, there will be one big distinction on home game days for the 28-year-old. The games at Clarke Stadium are on Sunday afternoons.“It’s going to be different. I do like playing under the lights, but it gives Edmonton a big advantage because it messes up the other teams’ routines,” he said.

