20-year-old Saskatoon goalkeeper Thomas Hasal wows crowds in Major League Soccer debut
3rd-string keeper brought in to play unexpectedly, managed to play two scoreless games
It's been a big month for Thomas Hasal.
In the span of a few weeks, the 20-year-old went from being a third-string goalkeeper for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a rising star in Major League Soccer (MLS).Ā
On July 19, Hasal was unexpectedly subbed in to play against the Seattle Sounders FC after Vancouver's first and second string keepers were taken out of commission.
"To be honest, it all happened so quick," he said.
"One minute, I was sitting on the bench, and the next, [goaltender Max Crepeau] was down, and I was getting set to warm up."
After impressing his coaches, he was brought in again to play against Chicago several days later, then again against Kansas City.
During his short run at glory during the MLS Is Back Tournament, Hasal managed to play two goal-freeĀ 'clean sheet' games and made an incredible save on a penalty kick.
As a result, Hasal has become a player to watch in the MLS. He was named the Whitecaps man of the match against Kansas City and added to MLS's Team of the Week.
Not surprisingly, his career goals seem to have become a little more attainable.
"I've been wanting to be the number one at this club for the last five years," he said.Ā
"That's what I've trained for."
Sorry kid, you're a gif now. š¤£<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VWFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VWFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/v3AXWtMal3">pic.twitter.com/v3AXWtMal3</a>
—@MLSIt wasn't all football glory. MLS tweeted out a candid moment where Hasal staggered into a goal camera, hitting himself in the head.
"One of the balls went over, and I was just tracking it, and I ended up in the back of the net," he said.
"And I just hit my head on the camera, and my first thought was, 'What is this?'"
Hasal got his start playing league soccer and was picked up by the Whitecaps Training Academy in Saskatoon before being signed by the team.
He's convinced that his coaches' hard work gave him a chance at the majors.
"There's a lot of work that people put in to get me where I am today," he said.
"They put in a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of hours to help me get to Vancouver."
Now that the Whitecaps have been eliminated from the MLS Is Back tournament, Hasal is back at work, training.
"As of now, I'm just doing my best to focus on the now and stay in the moment," he said.
"Focusing on trainingĀ and when we can get back to it, whenever that is."