While the stands roared with typical Cascadia howls, on the pitch it was a fairly quiet debut for Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers.
Apart from Ryan Johnson’s opener, the lanky Danish netminder, who joined the club in late June from Randers FC, was never challenged much in terms of quality shots on target.
That was in large part due to a robust effort from the team’s back four, and the midfield in front of them.
“I was proud of the guys,” Ousted told Vancouver radio station TEAM 1410 following the match.. “We didn’t allow a lot of chances. The back four was sound there and we did well clearing the things we had to clear.
“The guys ran a lot in the midfield, so it made it easy for us.”
Those watching the game got a little hint of the intensity the 28-year-old will bring to the field in the first half, when he ran out to the top of his box and started yelling at Nigel Reo-Coker, the man wearing the captain’s armband on the night for the ‘Caps.
“I was just talking to Nigel about getting the wall up quicker so that gives me a little bit more time to get set and see what the guys are doing in front of me,” Ousted explained. “So it was just some friendly words with the wall.”
But while Ousted wasn’t called into action much in terms of quality shots on target, he looked confident and at ease coming for crosses and carrying out the general housework goalkeepers are expected to deal with.
“I thought he looked really, really comfortable,” head coach Martin Rennie said. “I thought he had a great presence and I thought everything he did have to do he did well. He had no chance with the goal, but he looked very comfortable and I was really pleased.”
Now the aim for Ousted, who previously admitted he was getting anxious to see the field in the buildup to this game, is to push on and solidify his spot as the team’s No. 1.
“It was good to get the debut,” Ousted said. “Nice place to get it. I had a lot of fun today and I like being in the squad. I like doing my part for the team and for the club. If I can continue that the rest of the season – I’m a happy guy now.”
Martin MacMahon cover the Vancouver Whitecaps for MLSsoccer.com.
