PEORIA (HOI) — Everyday sports leagues are working to figure out when they can resume play, but in the interim players and leagues are using the current delay to get creative in creating content.
We know many athletes had their lives turned upside down, some in the middle of their season.
Former Bradley Goalkeeper Logan Ketterer was just starting his second season in the United Soccer League (USL) after a couple seasons in Major League Soccer (MLS). Now that play is on hold, he found a new way to keep busy thanks to the USL.
E-sports popularity has been booming across the world in recent years.
Now that many athletes are stuck at home, some are turning to video games. One of the more popular games: Rocket league.
“I got a message from our front office saying the USL Championship, the league I play in, wanted to have some sort of live entertainment, so they wanted to start a Rocket League tournament,” said El Paso Locomotive Goalkeeper, Logan Ketterer.
Starting at the beginning of April, each USL team participated in a world cup style tournament to proclaim a champion.
“I honestly think I probably sweat more and might have been more nervous for playing Rocket League, than actual soccer games. It was just different, it’s hard, I’m like I don’t want to go out and get embarrassed. I know on a soccer field I can hold my own, but I’m like I just don’t want to get embarrassed on ESPN,” continued Ketterer.
Playing in Group 4 and representing his team, the El Paso Locomotive, Ketterer found himself in a hole early, losing to San Antonio FC.
“It’s an interesting game, because it’s soccer, but it’s with cars, so it’s not like you can go sideways with a car, so you have to think about things differently,” explained Ketterer.
But rebounding, he knocked off Rio Grande Valley FC and then the Pittsburch Riverhounds. Adding some flare in the process.
“I never in my life thought I’d be up for goal of the week while playing as a goalkeeper,” said Ketterer.
Securing second place in the group and advancing to the knockout stage.
“For me, it was something to get up and get competitive for. It’s hard when you’re at home and you’re not playing games any more. Keeping that competitive edge and wanting to go win something really badly,” explained Ketterer.
Attributing some of his success to his real world goalie skills.
“I think it helped a little bit, because it’s understanding angles and how to block shots, so I definitely think it helped,” said Ketterer.
Eventually he would bow out in the first round of the knockout stage to the Philadelphia Union.
Ketterer says that while his season is suspended, USL rules say he has to stay in market, and keep working out with his team at home in El Paso. He says his coaches have been leading workouts through zoom.
