NMIFA signs former MLS goalie

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association has acquired the services of a former Major League Soccer player to spearhead NMIFA’s goalie development program.

NMIFA president Jerry Tan, in yesterday’s press briefing also attended by general secretary Ed Salas, introduced Johann Noetzel as the association’s goalkeeper development training director.

“We are excited to announce that NMIFA will now have a goalkeeper coach, who will lead our year-long goalie development program. It’s a big boost to our program, as soccer today regarded a goalie as a leader of the team and an extension of the coach. Having a coach specializing in goalkeeping will equip our players the proper techniques and skills in goalkeeping,” Tan said.

“I am honored to be part of NMIFA and its program. I am up for the tough task ahead and looking forward for the support and cooperation of players, club officials, and parents. I hope to elevate the standard of goalkeeping in the CNMI,” Noetzel.

Noetzel suited up for the Dallas Burns in the MLS in 2000 and also played for Aston Villa in the English Premier League. In the NCAA, he played for the five-time champion Seattle Pacific University and was named Pacific West Coast Conference Player of the Year and NCAA All-American in 1999. He was also selected to the U.S. National B Team and was part of the coaching staff of California State University (San Marcos). After retiring, the Seattle native founded the Shot Stoppers Goalkeeping Academy.

With Noetzel on board, Tan said the CNMI will have a pool of goalkeepers, which the former will train on a regular basis. Noetzel also said the pool will have players in various age groups and adults, too.

“With Johann working with us, we hope that we could encourage more players, especially the youth, to try playing as goalies so by the time we get to select members of our national teams, we will have a deep pool and several chooses. For now, we have only a few good goalies and we can’t just choose one who plays other position to switch spot,” Tan said.

The NMIFA president explained that not so many youths are interested in becoming a goalie, but if they will find out that there’s someone who can teach them the proper skills, they will be motivated to play the underrated position.

“Soccer before was for attackers, for those who can hit the ball hard. But today, goalies are not for defensives purposes only, they also lead the team’s counter-attack. They are key figure on the team,” Tan said.

Noetzel agreed, saying that he wants to remove the stigma associated with goalkeepers.

“People think that goalies are the laziest players in the field because they just hang around at the box, waiting for the ball. But they should not be. Goalies should be the fittest, fastest, and strongest players at the pitch. With this development program we will elevate the goalies’ athleticism and skills to a high level,” the 34-year-old Saipan Southern High School teacher said.

Noetzel added that becoming a goalie coach for the CNMI is a promise fulfilled.

“I was here in 2006 and left a few months when soccer was just starting in the CNMI. But I told my friends I will return and help out,” he said.

Once the program is in place and gets stronger, Noetzel and Tan hope that the CNMI can produce goalies who can play in collegiate leagues.

“Good goalies have better chances of getting college scholarships than the regular players. A good goalie is rare. Top teams in the European or MLS leagues almost always have good goalies,” Tan said.