Consistency key to Bendik call-up
Chants of “three more years,” echoed from the supporter section before Orlando City’s last match.
They were directed at Lions goalkeeper Joe Bendik, who recently signed a threeyear contract extension. In a relatively short time, he’s become arguably the team’s most popular player among the core fan base, which touts him as U.S. men’s national team material.
Chatter surrounding Bendik’s talent and future now has grown beyond Orlando. With a strengthened back line this season, his skills could be reflected statistically as well.
Last year, Bendik turned in inspired performances nearly every week, but the Lions’ defense struggled and they conceded a league-leading 60 goals.
In the past, Orlando City coach goalkeeper Tim Mulqueen and former goalkeeper coach Stewart Kerr both advocated for Bendik to earn a national team call-up. Lions head coach Jason Kreis agrees, but he said it takes time and consistency to get a shot.
“I have zero hesitation with agreeing with that sort of sentiment,” Kreis told the Orlando Sentinel. “He’s played so well, I think he deserves a look, but I also want to make sure to state that we have some very strong goalkeepers already in the national team pool.
“So, for me, it’s one of those situations where you can applaud Joe’s play and you should applaud Joe’s play, but you also need to be respectful of the people who are doing the job there.
“So, from my point of view, Joe’s spectacular. Joe’s one of the best in the league. He's shown it now going into a second season in a row. If he continues to do that, I’m sure he’ll get an opportunity.”
When asked about potential future national team goalkeepers, U.S. coach Bruce Arena said there are many keepers around the league he is watching.
The position is particularly deep at the moment, with longtime star Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes) and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake) all on the roster for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Honduras at 7:30 p.m. Friday in San Jose.
The national team pool also includes veteran Brad Guzan (Middlesbrough), Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls) and Bill Hamid (D.C. United), among others.
Howard, 38, recently joined the Rapids after a decade with English Premier League side Everton.
While Bendik’s skill surprised many Orlando City fans last season, no MLS keepers surprised Howard.
“I think there’s a few who have a bright future in MLS,” Howard said during MLS media day in January, though he did not volunteer names. “To be honest, I knew the goalkeepers in the league pretty well in terms of watching them from a distance. I wasn’t really surprised by anyone in particular. I think a few had great seasons.”
Kreis was an assistant for the national team under former manager Jürgen Klinsmann. That, combined with 12 years playing in MLS and a decade coaching, gives Kreis particular insight into what it takes to make the leap from elite club keeper to national team talent.
“I think you have to do it for quite a long time,” Kreis said. “For me, it’s about doing it consistently for a certain amount of time, and I think Joe is reaching that cusp now, where there starts to be a lot of chatter and he has to continue to do it.
“You’ve got to do it for a while to break your way into a situation like that.”