FRISCO, Texas - Chris Seitz has a lot on his mind going into Saturday’s game against Real Salt Lake.
With Raul Fernandez away on international duty, the 26-year-old is set to make his first appearance between the pipes for FCD this season as well as his first start since donating bone marrow last fall.
The battle between Seitz and Fernandez was closely contested throughout the preseason and while the Peruvian was given the nod in the first three games, Saturday presents Seitz’s big chance to prove to Hyndman that he should be the starter.
“I think it’s going to be a competitive contest throughout the season because Chris has come in so sharp, fit and focused,” Hyndman told MLSsoccer.com on Friday. “We do know that Raul is going to be gone maybe eight games and we need to make sure Chris is playing with confidence and he’s also sharp. I don’t think he’s ever going to stop trying to be the number one 'keeper and this is a great opportunity for him to step right in.”
Perhaps in the past, Seitz would have put an extra amount of pressure on himself to perform in Saturday’s match, but a year older and a year wiser, he’s taking it all in stride this week.
“The good thing for 'keepers is we’re not going to be the guy that wins the game,” said Seitz. “For us it’s more about being steady back there and continuing the same voices that they need to hear and do the things they need to do to be successful. If I get them to do the right things, then it puts a lot less pressure on me.”
As if all that wasn’t enough, Seitz’s fiancée, Kate, is set to give birth to their first child, a baby girl, any day now. The hope is certainly that the newest member of the Seitz family will wait to come into the world until after Saturday’s match, but much like with the upcoming game, Chris is ready for whatever comes.
“We’ve planned for this. We’ve had time to think about it and set everything up so there aren’t any stressful issues so I can go in Saturday and focus on the game,” said Seitz. “Obviously it’s an exciting time for my family, but right now I have to focus for tomorrow night and get the job done there.”
