(Photo by Victor Tan / New Day Review)
ORLANDO, Fla. – For Jake Fenlason, the key was patience. The 27-year-old knew that was an integral part of playing goalkeeper for an organization that has a bevy of talent at that position. From perennial first-team starter Joe Bendik to the seasoned Josh Saunders, the up-and-comer Earl Edwards Jr. and the untapped talent in Mason Stajduhar, there is no shortage of competition for the one-man spot.
But when Saunders was listed as out for the remainder of the season because of a neck injury, Edwards Jr. was promoted to the Major League Soccer side as Bendik’s back-up. That, in turn, promoted Fenlason to the starting spot for the club’s United Soccer League side, Orlando City B.
“I think it’s just all about patience,” Fenlason said after training on Aug. 30. “Like you said, you never really know what might happen, but [there’s] always a possibility of [injuries] happening. And I didn’t even know it was gonna happen, and you just have to be ready, and you just gotta take advantage of it when it does happen.”
So far in 2017, Fenlason has played admirably. In his first start since Edwards Jr.’s transition to the first team, he helped shut out Louisville City FC in a 3-0 road win with an eight-save performance. He also helped keep a 1-1 draw with Bethlehem Steel FC scoreless until the 87th minute in OCB’s most recent matchup on Aug. 31.
But for Fenlason, who only played in one other match with OCB this season in a 1-0 loss to Toronto FC II on June 14, his ease becoming the team’s next starter has a lot to do with the 10 outfield players. That consistent squad of players has helped OCB to their current unbeaten streak of 12 games.
“I think [the strength of the outfield players has] got a lot to do with it,” Fenlason said. “And they made my job a little bit easier, made the angles a little bit easier for me to make saves. I think, you know, we were going into that game with a big…unbeaten streak, so I think just confidence of the group in front of me was really key in how I play.”
As for OCB head coach Anthony Pulis, seeing Edwards Jr. depart for the first team is bittersweet. In 22 starts this season, Edwards Jr. has saved the fourth-most goal-scoring attempts with 75. As for Fenlason, Pulis sees a player who has worked for an opportunity like this.
“Mixed [feelings on Edwards Jr. leaving]. Mixed, to be honest,” Pulis said after training on Aug. 30. “Pleased for all that he’s now getting the opportunity to be involved with the [Major League Soccer] 18. Disappointed that we’re losing such a fantastic goalkeeper ‘cause he’s been excellent for us this year.
“But then also pleased for Jake Fenlason because he trains so hard every single day, and he hasn’t had a lot of minutes over the course of the two years that he’s been with us. And he got an opportunity to play at the weekend, did exceptionally well…”
Fenlason draws similarities from Edwards Jr.’s move to MLS, too. He sees Edwards Jr. in a spontaneous situation where he may get MLS minutes, especially considering the form the first team has currently mustered.
“I think from the whole goalkeeping staff that we have here, I’ve learned a lot, especially from Earl since I’ve been around him more than I have with Josh and Joe and Mason,” Fenlason said. “I mean, with Earl, I think a lot of it is—I’m kinda put into the same situation as him. He hasn’t really played much, and then now he’s getting his opportunity, so it’s good to look at him from that point of view that, you know, he’s taken advantage of it and has obviously played really well.”
The final step for Fenlason is in his mental approach. Fortunately for him, he got to experience some starting action in the team’s first USL season last year. In 2016, played 98 minutes in two games, starting one of them. That experience gave Fenlason an idea of what to expect from a mental-approach perspective.
“I think [playing last season’s] obviously a good thing because, you know, you don’t want to be entirely nervous before you go into a big game,” Fenlason said. “…But I think it’s still kinda iffy because, obviously, you haven’t gotten the minutes, and you’re still, ‘Can I do this mentally?’ Not from a physical standpoint ‘cause, physically, you do all of your work out here [at training]. But, from a mental standpoint—am I ready to play?”
Fenlason will have another chance to show off what he’s learned from the sidelines when OCB host the Richmond Kickers on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
For more on OCB, as they look to propel themselves into the playoffs, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
