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Canales Corner: Restrepo's Time Has Come
Back in 2005, Diego Restrepo was mellow about his role as the USA U17 team's third goalkeeper. But with the Virginia Cavaliers, he hit his stride and now has his chance in the spotlight in the NCAA final.
Dec 13, 2009 12:52:31 AM
The third-choice goalkeeper on a World Cup team generally is well aware that no actual game time will be likely during the tournament. Coaches tend to bring along players for that position who contribute more to the harmony of the squad itself than to the competitiveness on the field.
Diego Restrepo, who backed up Bryant Rueckner and Brian Perk on the USA U-17 team at the 2005 Youth World Cup in Peru, was just that sort of good-natured, positive presence for the young national team.
Still, for elevating the intensity in practices and pushing players to perform their best, any goalkeeper plays a crucial role. Restrepo's shot-stopping skills were quality, but what also put him apart from most American goalkeepers was his understanding of different aspects of the game and his ability to read attackers. After all, he had started as a field player and spent his formative years in Colombia, where constant exposure to the country's favorite sport taught him important lessons through observance.
Of course, Restrepo longed to play at the U-17 World Cup, but he made the best of his situation in Peru, giving interviews to the local press in Spanish, keeping his teammates upbeat with jokes and signing autographs for local fans.
I chatted with him one evening back then while he checked his email in the hotel lobby.
"My main job is to keep the team sharp by working hard in practice," Restrepo pointed out. "Besides," he grinned, "You never know what will happen."
To that end, in case he did play, and to cheer him on regardless, Restrepo's close and supportive family were on hand for the tournament. His parents and an older brother, Alfonso, cheered enthusiastically for the USA team, but especially when Restrepo was on the field for warm-ups with the squad.
Though he never took the field for the USA for match minutes in that 2005 World Cup competition, the international experience Restrepo gained in other instances with the U17 team served him well. He continued to progress. His journey eventually put him in Virginia's soccer program, after he made the bold decision to leave South Florida, where he'd started his college career.
The choice paid off in spades for both parties. Restrepo not only earned the starting goalkeeper spot, but he held on to it with an iron first, setting a school shutout streak record of 1176:51 scoreless minutes.
As the shot-stopper gained in confidence, so did the Cavaliers, powering their way through the NCAA season and the postseason tournament, all the way to the final.
Now Virginia faces unbeaten Akron in Sunday's College Cup final. The Zips will be favored by many, but the Cavaliers are an undaunted bunch who will not gift the title unearned - especially after the tough seasoning earned in a better conference.
Seeds can be toppled, especially when key players stand up to make a difference. After all, as a young goalkeeper said years ago, one never knows what will happen.
Restrepo has come into his own in spectacular fashion, and the netminder looks to continue to propel his team's run. Akron can be number one on paper, but they cannot win without putting the ball past Virginia's #1, and he has proved formidable in preventing such a breach.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America
Discuss all the latest in the Goal.com Forums.
Diego Restrepo, who backed up Bryant Rueckner and Brian Perk on the USA U-17 team at the 2005 Youth World Cup in Peru, was just that sort of good-natured, positive presence for the young national team.
Still, for elevating the intensity in practices and pushing players to perform their best, any goalkeeper plays a crucial role. Restrepo's shot-stopping skills were quality, but what also put him apart from most American goalkeepers was his understanding of different aspects of the game and his ability to read attackers. After all, he had started as a field player and spent his formative years in Colombia, where constant exposure to the country's favorite sport taught him important lessons through observance.
Of course, Restrepo longed to play at the U-17 World Cup, but he made the best of his situation in Peru, giving interviews to the local press in Spanish, keeping his teammates upbeat with jokes and signing autographs for local fans.
I chatted with him one evening back then while he checked his email in the hotel lobby.
"My main job is to keep the team sharp by working hard in practice," Restrepo pointed out. "Besides," he grinned, "You never know what will happen."
To that end, in case he did play, and to cheer him on regardless, Restrepo's close and supportive family were on hand for the tournament. His parents and an older brother, Alfonso, cheered enthusiastically for the USA team, but especially when Restrepo was on the field for warm-ups with the squad.
Though he never took the field for the USA for match minutes in that 2005 World Cup competition, the international experience Restrepo gained in other instances with the U17 team served him well. He continued to progress. His journey eventually put him in Virginia's soccer program, after he made the bold decision to leave South Florida, where he'd started his college career.
The choice paid off in spades for both parties. Restrepo not only earned the starting goalkeeper spot, but he held on to it with an iron first, setting a school shutout streak record of 1176:51 scoreless minutes.
As the shot-stopper gained in confidence, so did the Cavaliers, powering their way through the NCAA season and the postseason tournament, all the way to the final.
Now Virginia faces unbeaten Akron in Sunday's College Cup final. The Zips will be favored by many, but the Cavaliers are an undaunted bunch who will not gift the title unearned - especially after the tough seasoning earned in a better conference.
Seeds can be toppled, especially when key players stand up to make a difference. After all, as a young goalkeeper said years ago, one never knows what will happen.
Restrepo has come into his own in spectacular fashion, and the netminder looks to continue to propel his team's run. Akron can be number one on paper, but they cannot win without putting the ball past Virginia's #1, and he has proved formidable in preventing such a breach.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America
Discuss all the latest in the Goal.com Forums.
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