We’ve seen it before: Soccer players trying to extend their professional sports careers by converting into football place kickers.
Former U.S. No. 1 goalkeeper Tony Meola comes to mind, although, his . (“Captain Hook” is not a desirable nickname for a place kicker.)
But, with the Denver Broncos down a kicker after , perhaps one of the Colorado Rapids might be up for brief loan? After all, .
So, who should the Broncos be scouting in Commerce City?
“It would probably be pretty close between the goalkeepers actually,” goalkeeper coach Chris Sharpe said.
Between Clint Irwin, John Berner and Joe Nasco, Sharpe and head coach Pablo Mastroeni agreed rookie keeper John Berner would probably have the best chance of the three.
Rapids rookie goalkeeper John Berner. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)
“As a matter of fact, he should probably look into that because those guys pay a lot more than we pay,” Mastroeni joked.
Sharpe said Berner has the ability to “absolutely crush a soccer ball.”
“I’ve never kicked a football myself, I’m not sure if John has, but he’s young, he’s nimble,” Sharpe said. “Johnny’s a big strong boy and he bums a ball a long way off the ground.”
Forward Edson Buddle agreed that the goalkeepers, who are used to taking long-distance goal kicks, would be the best bet.
“I would have them do a competition first to see who was more accurate before I made that decision,” Buddle said.
Defender Marvell Wynne, however, had a different player in mind.
“I’d say Marc Burch,” Wynne said without missing a beat. “He’s got a hell of a strike with his left.”
And his accuracy?
“Yes, you saw his goal (last week), that’s just a sample of what he does daily,” Wynne said.
For those who missed it (or just want to watch it again) here’s Burch’s Broncos tryout reel from Wednesday’s :
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