While it was nothing new for Joe van der Sar, plenty of his teammates couldn’t help but smile from afar.
As the Pitt men’s soccer team practiced through the frigid winds blowing through Oakland on Wednesday morning, standing next to the net behind the Panthers’ goalkeeper was a camera crew capturing footage. Their assignment — a special feature story for a national news outlet back in the Netherlands focusing on the son of Edwin van der Sar, one of the best athletes the country has ever produced.
“I’ve had stories like this done on me back in Holland,” Joe van der Sar said after practice. “This is the U.S. crew here, based in Washington D.C. so they didn’t come all the way from Holland. I’d be very flattered if they did, although I’m flattered, anyway. It’s fun that I’ll have stuff to look back at when I’m a little older and enjoy the memories.”
The Netherlands, of course, will face the United States on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in the first round of the World Cup’s elimination stage. Joe van der Sar says a few of his former teammates from back home will be suiting up for Holland in that match, looking to give a solid effort for the national team just like his father did for 130 matches in his 13-year international career.
“We asked him this morning in the locker room who he will be rooting for and it’s not for the red, white and blue,” Pitt midfielder Michael Sullivan said. “I understand it. It hurts a little bit, but I understand why.”
Although van der Sar admits he intends to keep tabs on the match, his thoughts Saturday won’t be on what’s taking place in Qatar, but rather on his team’s home pitch in Pittsburgh. Just hours after the U.S.-Netherlands match gets underway, the Panthers (11-4-5) will play in a big contest of their own, hosting Portland (15-2-3) in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament at 1 p.m., with a spot in the College Cup on the line.
Van der Sar arrived in Pittsburgh two seasons ago. With pandemic restrictions ending back-to-back seasons for his team in Holland, he decided it was time to explore opportunities elsewhere in the world. During his search, van der Sar stumbled upon Jay Vidovich’s program in Pittsburgh.
At that time, “a few Mac Miller songs” and its passionate sports fans were the only things he knew about the Steel City. However, after seeing the Panthers reach the College Cup in 2020, he was sold. Now, after earning his opportunity, van der Sar hopes to take Pitt all the way.
“To be able to continue the run with Pitt men’s soccer that they’ve kind of created the last two or three years, it’s been a great journey,” van der Sar said. “We’re ready to cap it off this year.”
Edwin van der Sar knows a thing or two about playing in net for a big match. In addition to participating in three World Cups, Joe’s father also won two Champions League titles throughout his distinguished career. While few understand the position at a higher level, Joe says his old man does a good job of letting him figure some stuff out on his own.
“He always tries to keep a balance between being a father and a coach,” van der Sar said. “It’s always been interesting, especially when I was at Ajax, as well. I think he’s done a good job of giving me my space but also helping me in the right way.”
For van der Sar, the “right way” is treating each rep, each match as the top priority. While the camera focused on him during Wednesday’s training, the senior remained locked in on that task at hand, doing his best to stop his teammates’ wide array of shots on goal.
Saturday will be no different as far as van der Sar is concerned. While some Pitt fans are already looking ahead to a potential 2020 rematch against Indiana in the College Cup next weekend, van der Sar knows better.
The World Cup match, the camera crews and even the thought of a chance at revenge are all exciting. But for now, it’s all outside noise. Joe van der Sar came to Pittsburgh to win a championship. And a victory on Saturday gets his team a step closer.
“You’ve got to focus on one game at a time, which is what we’ve done,” van der Sar said. “Portland is here for a reason, as well, just like we are. I think the big thing is to just look at ourselves and play to our potential.”
Noah Hiles: nhiles@post-gazette.com and Twitter @_NoahHiles
First Published: December 2, 2022, 10:30 a.m.
Updated: December 3, 2022, 11:07 a.m.
