When Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad collided with FC Dallas' Blake Wagner in the April 6 home opener, two things went through head coach Dominic Kinnear's mind.
"I hope he's not hurt and I hope I don't have to make a sub," Kinnear said after his team's 3-3 draw against the Hoops that day.
As it turned out, Kinnear did not fare well on either one of those thoughts. Onstad has missed two-plus matches with a right shoulder injury and is still unlikely to be available for this weekend's match in Los Angeles against the Galaxy.
Backup Tony Caig was inserted a few minutes after the collision and allowed three goals, but was saved in injury time on a late goal by Geoff Cameron. Caig started in the team's 3-0 loss to Deportivo Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinal.
Caig earned his first shutout in a scoreless draw at Kansas City last Saturday in a game the Dynamo could have won by converting any of their scoring chances in front of Wizards 'keeper Kevin Hartman.
But for now, Caig, 34, will have to wait a bit longer to get his first MLS win.
Caig has the perfect mentor in Onstad even though he never dreamed he'd be "the guy" this early in the season. Kinnear told the players before the season even started that everyone would be called upon at some point.
And for some, including Caig, that opportunity was given early and without time, perhaps to prepare mentally.
"You don't ever know when you might go in, but that is just the way the game is," said Caig. "I have been in this position before and it is my job to just come off the bench, even though it is difficult to prepare, and be ready for anything. It is extremely difficult to prepare completely when it is not your game to start, but it is up to the 'keeper who is backing up on that given day to come on and just do as well as you can."
Caig took some heat from Dynamo fans on various fan websites and message boards after allowing six goals in his first two games.
He stood up to the criticism, however, and bounced back each match with a performance that was arguably better than the one before. He knows his pride takes a hit with each goal allowed. But he is also professional enough to accept responsibility and work hard to avoid repeated mistakes.
"It will be nice to get more touches because unfortunately my first touch with this team was picking up the ball out of the back of the net," said Caig, referring to the FC Dallas match. "But those are the kinds of things that comes with the territory of being a 'keeper. I have a lot of experience and I have been around. I just know and realize that when I am called upon I have to be consistent and put on a good display."
Onstad is "the guy" and does not have to worry about his status with the Dynamo. When he returns and is healthy enough to play, the two-time MLS goalkeeper of the year will most certainly return to the position.
But until then, Onstad will support his teammate. In fact, he's even learned a thing or two from the goalkeeper who replaced Zach Wells, who was traded to D.C. United during the offseason.
"Tony and I get along really well," Onstad said. "He's a great goalkeeper. He's a great trainer. It's funny that you think when you're 40, you can't learn new stuff, but he's helping me along. It's a good relationship, and I think it's going to help the club."
Until Onstad returns, he'll have to.
Andrew J. Ferraro is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
