The I-5 FC: The making of a save, featuring James Pantemis
The I-5 FC: The making of a save, featuring James Pantemis
The I-5 Corridor caught up with the Timbers' No. 2 goalkeeper to talk about focus, commentating and those big yellow things.
BEAVERTON — In a decade-plus as a sportswriter here in Oregon, I’ve seen a few things during practice worth a good laugh.
The joy in former Oregon football assistant coach Jim Mastro’s face as he launched medicine balls at his running backs during fall camp drills was truly a sight to behold. So, too, is Dana Altman’s pre-practice stretching routine — one that’s left a sizeable dent in the memories of his former players.
And last week at Timbers training, the inflatable mannequins the team’s goalkeepers were working with became a welcomed addition to the list.
On Tuesday, Portland (2-3-4, 10 points) keepers Maxime Crepeau and James Pantemis were using the gigantic robot-looking obstructions for all types of things — they were running into them to take contact on corner kicks, lining them up to work on tracking obstructed shots and, in one case, delivering a pretty good close line on Crepeau.
It looked goofy as heck, but these guys are professionals. There’s a purpose.
“It’s just trying to get as many game-realistic things as possible,” Pantemis said.
The 27-year-old from Quebec is the Timbers’ No. 2 keeper behind Crepeau, one who was thrown into action in the 48th minute against LAFC on April 13 when Crepeau took a red card. Pantemis’ first play of the game was no gentle welcome back, either: Mateusz Bogusz’s free kick from just outside the 18 was just about untouchable as it found its way into the top-left corner of the net. But from there Pantemis found his footing, settled in and helped anchor a 2-2 Portland draw. The game was Pantemis’ first appearance in nearly a month and came with the added challenge of coming unexpectedly.
“We train every week to prepare for that situation,” Pantemis said. “Obviously that’s not how you want to get into a game, but that’s part of it so you have to train to stay ready as much as you can.”
A week later, Pantemis found himself as Portland’s starter in Columbus against the defending MLS champion Crew. In the 36th minute of an eventual 2-2 draw, Pantemis honed in on a corner kick, jumped, struck and deflected a shot — not only from going in, but also from the charging head of forward Diego Rossi looking for a rebound. It was a key save in a match that saw the Timbers take a point on the road, and for Pantemis, it sure looked like some of that extra time spent against that inflatable Big Bird back in Beaverton came in handy.
He’s also got another strategy that keeps him locked in, whether it’s when he’s in the net, or on the sideline trying to keep himself ready.
He channels his inner Jake Zivin.
“When I was younger someone told me some really good advice: Try being a commentator during the game,” Pantemis said. “It makes you follow and stay connected throughout the game. I think that’s helped me — even when I’m on the pitch. I feel like younger keepers, whether it’s professional or not professional, can get lost in their concentration. But if you can do that throughout the game, maybe it keeps you more focused and more connected.”
— Tyson Alger, The I-5 Corridor
