At Northern Utah United Soccer Club, development does not stop when practice ends. In fact, some of the most meaningful growth happens after the session is over.
On a recent evening at goalkeeper training lead by NUU Goalkeeper Director, Andy Parker, a powerful moment unfolded. As a coach or parent, it is the kind of moment that stays with you.
Specialized Goalkeeper Training at Northern Utah United
One of the unique opportunities offered at Northern Utah United is dedicated goalkeeper training. (Sign Up for GK Training) This environment allows players to focus on technical skills, decision making, positioning, and confidence.
The first hour is reserved for NUU goalkeepers competing within the ECNL Regional League. The intensity is high, the details matter, and every repetition is purposeful. These athletes are committed to improving with every save, every distribution, and every moment in goal.
When that hour wrapped up, the next group of goalkeepers began to arrive and warm up. Parents gathered along the sidelines, watching and talking amongst themselves as they waited.
A Question Every Soccer Parent Asks
One parent turned and asked a familiar question.
“Can you tell me more about the ECNL-RL teams? How does my son get involved or get looked at for that level?”
Another parent, who is also a coach within the club, responded with honesty.
“It takes determination, dedication, consistency, coachability, and the willingness to work when no one is watching.”
He paused, and another parent pointed toward the field, and said,
“Like those boys over there. Those are your ECNL-RL goalkeepers. That is the level of dedication it takes”
What Dedication Actually Looks Like
The conversation stopped as parents looked out onto the field.
What they saw was not a drill.
There were no coaches directing.
No structured session.Just two 13 year old NUU boys:
Aaron Hadfield: 2012 ECNL-RL Goalkeeper – Coached by Bryan Bingham
Benjamin Chen: 2013 ECNL-RL and 2013 Royalty Goalkeeper – Coached by Brandon Bales
They had already completed their full hour of goalkeeper training.
And yet they stayed for another hour.
The Power of Free Play in Youth Soccer
There were no instructions and no pressure.
Just a ball, a goal, and two goalkeepers pushing each other to improve.
This is free play, one of the most valuable parts of youth soccer development.
Free play builds creativity, confidence, decision making, and a true love for the game.
What stood out most was not just that they stayed, but how they trained.
They challenged each other with real shots.
They gave each other feedback.
They reset quickly after every attempt.
They celebrated great saves.
They laughed and still stayed focused.
Every dive had purpose.
Every moment mattered.
This is what builds elite goalkeepers.
Goalkeeper to Goalkeeper Interviews
Aaron to Ben
Aaron: “What is the hardest part about being a goalkeeper?”
Ben: “The positioning.”
Aaron: “What goes through your head before a big save?”
Ben: laughs “Just save it!”
Ben to Aaron
Ben: “What made you want to become a goalkeeper instead of playing on the field?”
Aaron: “Because it is the most important position on the field and I feel like I am really good at it.”
Ben: “What is your favorite save you have ever made?”
Aaron: “In our last ECNL-RL game there was a free kick and I saved it. Everything came together, especially my positioning. That is definitely my favorite save.”
More Than Training – This Is What Soccer Is About
Coaches can create structured sessions and provide opportunities for development.
But we cannot teach a player to stay when no one is asking them to.
We cannot create that internal drive.
That comes from within.
On this night, every parent on the sideline saw exactly what that looks like.
The Standard at Northern Utah United
If you want to understand what it takes to reach the ECNL-RL level…
It is not just talent.
It is not just making a team.
It is showing up early.
Staying late.
Competing with purpose.
Supporting teammates.
Finding joy in the work.
Players like Aaron and Ben represent more than their teams. They represent the culture being built at Northern Utah United Soccer Club.
Final Thought
Long after training ended, in a nearly vacant NUU training Center on 10th West, two goalkeepers kept working.
No spotlight.
No pressure.
Just passion.
And in that extra hour, that’s where players are made.
Written by Stephanie Ratto
