Minnesota United 2 goalkeeper Alec Smir earned honors in the first-ever MLS NEXT Pro All-Star Skills Challenge, Goalie Wars, at Allianz Field on Tuesday night.
Four MLS NEXT Pro goalkeepers took center stage in a three-round challenge featuring Smir, Toronto FC II goalkeeper Luka Gavran, NYCFC II shot-stopper Alex Rando and RNY FC’s Caíque.
The rules: 90-second matches with each goalkeeper standing in front of their own net x feet apart. Goalkeepers are allowed to throw, drop-kicking or kick the ball off the pitch at their opponent. If the ball is knocked over the net or past it, whoever had the last touch does not restart with the ball. The goalkeeper with the most points by the end of the 90-second match wins.
Smir was paired up against Gavran in round one, with the Loons goalkeeper just edging out the July Goalkeeper of the Month 3-2.
Round 2 saw Caique and Rando go head-to-head, with Rando advancing to a showdown against hometown representative Samir.
The third and final round paired Smir up against Rando in a back-and-forth contest. Both goalkeepers pulled off some incredible saves, but Smir came up big late scoring the lone goal of the round, winning 1-0.
