FC Edmonton Adds Veteran Goalkeeper Chris Konopka

FC Edmonton announced today the addition of former Toronto FC and Portland Timbers goalkeeper Chris Konopka for the 2017 NASL season. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A native of Toms River, N.J., and standing at 6-foot-5, Konopka spent the end of the 2016 season with the Timbers after making the move back to North America from Scottish Premiership side Ross County, where the American won a Scottish League Cup with the club. The 31-year-old began his career in MLS with the Kansas City Wizards in 2007 and spent three seasons with Toronto FC from 2013-15, making 24 appearances.

“Chris brings experience to the group,” FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller said. “He is a quality person and will add some real value in the change room. He comes from some big clubs in the MLS.”

Konopka joins FC Edmonton as the club’s anticipated number one goalkeeper for the 2017 NASL season, but his value goes beyond his work on the pitch. The 'keeper will play a vital role in passing down his experience to the rest of the club’s goalkeepers.

“I think he will be good incentive for Tyson [Farago] and Nathan [Ingham] to play well,” Miller said. “I wanted to have an experienced goalkeeper this year and now the onus is on Nathan and Tyson to step up again. Each goalkeeper will get chances to play in preseason games and Chris comes in as the number one, but who knows what can happen during this preseason.” 

Konopka’s work began immediately with the official opening of training camp this week, beginning with fitness testing on Tuesday at Foote Field.

“I’m excited to see how Chris settles in with the team,” Miller said. “Our first impressions of him at training have been excellent. We have spoken to number of MLS goalkeepers and MLS goalkeeper coaches and the feedback with every single person has been very positive with Chris.”