CHICAGO, Ill. – In the mid-late 90s, SportsCenter hosts
Keith Olberman and Dan Patrick would open the show with a catch of
"Welcome to the Big Show."
That's kinda how Monday felt for former Virginia Commonwealth
University men's soccer standout Andrew Dykstra as
he learned he would be the starting goalkeeper for the Chicago Fire
in the season opener against New York Red Bulls, Saturday night on
ESPN.
"It was just a big shock, that's the only word for it," Dykstra
said. "I know these opportunities are very rare for young keepers.
It usually takes a few years to break into a starting role, so I'm
very excited right now and ready to help my team in any way
possible."
Dykstra is the true testament to what hard work and dedication can
do for someone as he arrived in training camp in February of 2009
knowing that a spot on the Fire roster would be unlikely. However,
at the end of camp, the team decided that they liked his potential
and kept him on as the third-string keeper.
A couple months later he was promoted to number two and his hard
work finally paid off on Monday when first-year Fire head coach
Carlos de los Cobos called him into the office and told him he
would be the starter.
"It's a tough situation, but I really owe a lot to Jon Busch, our
former keeper," Dykstra said. "He was my mentor. That's how I
viewed him. He taught me how to be a professional, things like the
day-to-day business that makes somebody good, and I used his
example to get to where I am now."
For the Black & Gold, Dykstra was a four-year starter from
2005-08. He played in 73 matches and over 6500 minutes between the
posts. He earned All-CAA honors twice and finished his illustrious
career with 18 career shutouts.
Dykstra and his Chicago Fire teammates take on the New York Red
Bulls live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, Saturday evening at 7
p.m.