TORONTO – When Toronto FC goalkeeper Chris Konopka flew out to attend a family wedding over the weekend, many were wondering whether he would return looking the same.
Konopka’s glorious beard, which he has been growing since Christmas, was under threat – of an angry mother.
The 6-foot-5 Konopka laughed as reporters posed queries about the fate of his facial hair, but all was good when he returned in front of the cameras on Tuesday, beard and all.
Since joining Toronto FC in 2013, Konopka has been a relative unknown. Prior to this year, the 30-year-old had just two MLS appearances in five seasons in the league, none since joining TFC.
When Joe Bendik went down with a foot injury three weeks ago, Konopka got his chance at last. Toronto FC’s new starter has featured in the club’s last five games in all competitions, including a much-anticipated home opener, and kept things level in a 1-1 draw against New England that ultimately saw Konopka make the MLS Team of the Week. He’s a new fan-favorite, particularly on social media, where he – and his mighty beard – have been warmly received.
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“I’m enjoying it!” Konopka told reporters at training Tuesday. “I think the guys have a trust in me, which is good. It’s great to have trust in a guy who’s stepping in and filling a role. A couple of them have told me, and that’s a very good thing. That gives me more confidence to play better, for them, as well.”
Toronto head coach Greg Vanney now has a bit of a selection headache as Bendik comes closer to recovering from a foot injury: Does he stick with Konopka or allow Bendik to return once healthy?
Vanney said he was pleased with both players’ performances between the sticks, explaining that while “there are the Jorge Campos-es of the world,” there are also goalkeepers like Konopka and Bendik who “do a nice, solid job of traditional goalkeeping.”
It makes this particular decision a welcome one, and while Vanney was of two minds on picking his starting goalkeeper, the TFC boss sees merit in having competition between two ‘keepers.
“I think it’s a great scenario,” Vanney said. “Now, we have real competition in the position. Between the two of them, they’re going to battle it out and see who can be our guy. That’s fair. That’s how every other position is, and that’s how the goalkeeper position should be.”
That competitive environment is one Vanney himself saw first-hand during his playing days in the league, watching Kevin Hartman and Matt Reis battle it out for a spot at the LA Galaxy.
“I think you need that,” he said. “I think you need two ‘keepers who are pushing each other in a healthy way.”
Ultimately, for Konopka, breaking into the starting lineup came after many years of pushing. As Bendik waited for his chance under Stefan Frei and Julio César, so Konopka waited for an opportunity of his own behind Bendik. Now he’s got some war stories of his own to swap with teammates and opposition players, too.
“What everyone wants to do, what every player wants to do, is to be out there on the Saturday or Sunday, whenever the game is, and have the ups and the downs with the team,” Konopka said. “It’s one thing when you’re within the 18 and in the locker rooms doing all those things, and another thing when you’re actually making the impact in the game, whether it’s a positive or a negative. You take a little more out of it.”
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Konopka says that through it all, Bendik has been a “great friend and a great teammate,” offering words of advice and encouragement.
“Joe’s been telling me to just play my game and do the things I know I can do,” Konopka said. “He tells me to be positive, know I can do it and let the game come to me.”
Konopka’s chapter as Toronto FC’s starting goalkeeper may come to a close this weekend, as he now deals with a strained groin that he says makes him “about 50 percent” healthy. Bendik looks set to return soon, too. But the experience alone is one Konopka relishes and is trying to learn from, too.
“Everything from my standpoint is going decent, but I’m still critiquing myself a lot on little things, little mistakes that I’m making,” Konopka said. “I’m just trying to better myself with each game.”
