A punch in the face.
That?s the only comparison Blast goalkeeper Sagu can make for the feeling he gets when a ball hits the back of his net.
So when the Blast shut out Chicago, 13-0, this past Saturday, Sagu emerged like a prizefighter who had dodged every punch.
“For us, for every goalkeeper, it?s a dream,” Sagu said. “This is going to happen maybe every two or three years, just one time.”
In fact, it?s the first time in modern Blast history, dating to 1992-93, the Blast recorded a shutout. But make no mistake: Sagu?s performance Saturday was no anomaly. The Brazilian is making quite a case for inclusion on the All-Major Indoor Soccer League first team ? a year after making second team.
Blast goalkeeper coach Karim Moumban said there is no doubt Sagu is the best keeper in the league.
“I see a lot of improvement,” Moumban said. “For me, improvement is what he?s doing everyday. He?s keeping his level high at all times.”
Sagu is 12-8 for the third-place Blast, and leads the league with a 7.83 points against average ? nearly a goal better than Detroit?s Danny Waltman, whose 9.24 average is second in the league. Sagu has allowed 71 goals, including 59 two-point goals ? the lowest total in the league ? for an average of just 3.61 goals against.
Last season was a period of adjustment for Sagu and the defense. It was Sagu?s first year starting in Baltimore, emerging from the shadows of Sanaldo, who was selected by Detroit in the expansion draft in 2006.
But a year later and with an improved defense in front of him, Sagu has emerged as one of the league?s best at his position.
“We all know Sagu is a great goalkeeper,” Blast coach Danny Kelly said. “Unfortunately, last season, us as a team in front of him defensively, didn?t play that well at times. If you do that in this game, a lot of people look at the goalkeeper and say it?s on the goalkeeper. We knew we were a better team that it showed last year. That?s been part of the motivation this year.”
Since starting 5-5, the Blast has upped its commitment to team defense., which has enabled the team to win 12 of its past 16 games to challenge for the regular season title. The league?s top three teams ? Milwaukee (19-7), Detroit (19-7) and the Blast (17-9) ? are the only teams allowing fewer than 10 points per game.
Sagu gives credit to rookie Dave Kern, who pushes him each day in practice. Kern also gives Sagu a rest from time to time ? and possibly this weekend, when the Blast visits Monterrey (14-13) tonight before returning home to play against Chicago (14-13) on Saturday night at 1st Mariner Arena.
But Sagu is ready to play both games, and he ready to be named All-MISL ? just as long his team wins.
“It?s more important to have one more ring,” Sagu said. “I hope we can be champions.”
