WEST VALLEY CITY — Nick Vorberg never expected to be this lucky.
When the goalkeeper signed with the Utah Freezz, he fully understood that Stuart Dobson was the man between the pipes. Dobson was the primary goalie, and he couldn't be unseated.
Then Dobson broke a thumb, and oh how things have changed. Not only is Vorberg starting, he's making a name for himself. "He's one of the top two keepers in the league, if not the best," said Freezz player-coach Jeff Betts.
Those are mighty complimentary words from Betts, who is primarily responsible for Vorberg's evolution. Last year, both were members of the now-defunct Portland Pythons, with Vorberg backing up Python starting keeper Brett Phillips.
Upon becoming the Freezz's new coach in the offseason and analyzing his team's roster, Betts felt Utah needed a solid backup keeper. Before Betts could draft Phillips in Portland's dispersal draft, he was already gone, so he went with Vorberg.
"I knew Nick as a backup in Portland, and I also knew in practice I could never score against him," said Betts. The rest of the World Indoor Soccer League is finding it difficult to score on Vorberg as well. The Oregon native is third in the league in goals against.
While life in goal is going great now, the opening few weeks tested Vorberg's confidence. The Freezz were blasted by defending champion Sacramento to open the season and proceeded to follow that up with an overtime loss at Arizona.
"I just wanted to have a good first month," said Vorberg. "It was very frustrating for me because I could feel us getting better, but we weren't winning."
Even though the wins weren't coming, Vorberg had the ultimate job security — he was the only option. So he stayed patient, listened to the coaching advice of Dobson and Betts, and the road has been glorious since.
Since starting the year 0-2, Utah has won eight of its last nine games, and while the Freezz aren't blowing teams out, they're winning and are tied with Monterrey for first place. Eventually Dobson will be healthy again, even if it's next year, and Betts will then be faced with the tough task of benching someone.
"It would be tough to replace a keeper who's playing as well as anyone in the league," said Betts. Vorberg would love to be Utah's starter for the long haul, but he knows the unpredictably of indoor soccer. That's why he's willing to go just about anywhere soccer takes him. So far, it's been good to him.
Vorberg participated in soccer and swimming in southern Oregon, and after graduating from high school he ended up playing keeper at Oregon's Pacific College. A few of his collegiate teammates wound up playing for the Pythons, and soon thereafter so was he. He'd probably still be suiting up for the Pythons if they existed, but he's happy with the scenery change. And really, Vorberg, whom his coach calls one of the nicest guys in the world, could probably be happy anywhere.
During Vorberg's freshman year at Pacific he was paired with a Japanese roommate, and immediately was intrigued by the language. He subsequently added a Japanese minor to his education major. When he was 21 he ended up spending a year in Tokyo working for his roommate's father.
"It was very interesting," said Vorberg.
Someday when his playing days are over, Vorberg hopes to return to Japan, perhaps even for an extended time. Until another change of scenery is required, the 24-year-old will continue having fun anchoring the Freezz's defense.
"With this defense, I feel any goalie can be in and do what I'm doing," said Vorberg. It's doubtful any of his teammates would agree with him.
E-MAIL: jedward@desnews.com