OBETZ, Ohio – Columbus’ 2-0 win over New York on Saturday was the seventh shutout of the season for William Hesmer, pulling him within three of the club record with 14 games left on the regular season.
WATCH:MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: CLB 2, NY 0
Already the club's career leader with 29 clean sheets, Hesmer is currently tied for second in MLS in both goals-against-average (0.81) and shutouts, and will have a chance to further improve those numbers when the Crew host Houston on Saturday.
With that match a couple of days away, MLSsoccer.com put the Crew keeper on the hot seat.
MLSsoccer.com: Is the Jabulani ball a legitimate concern or are goalkeepers exaggerating?
Hesmer: It’s legit. [The ball] is all over the place. Not only is it moving side-to-side, it’s coming backwards and forwards.
MLSsoccer.com: 'Keepers, by nature, have to be screamers to direct the defense and set players in the right spots. Have you lost your voice during game?
Hesmer: I have afterwards. After a game I always call my mom and dad and a couple of times in 2007, I believe, I wasn’t able to call them because I was hoarse.
MLSsoccer.com: Have you ever been in a situation where the ball crossed the line – like in the World Cup match between Germany and England – but no goal was called and you kept playing as if nothing happened?
Hesmer: [A 'keeper can] do everything he can to seem to make it look like it didn’t go in. I’ve done it. You grab it and go as if it was out.
MLSsoccer.com: No guilt?
Hesmer: No guilt. It’s a great thing.
MLSsoccer.com: What music are you listening to now?
Hesmer: My Morning Jacket.
MLSsoccer.com: The last concert you attended?
Hesmer: Widespread Panic.
MLSsoccer.com: Favorite MLS city to visit and why?
Hesmer: Los Angeles, because of the weather and the beach, obviously.
MLSsoccer.com: Best jab or taunt directed at you.
Hesmer: Nothing that’s PG.
MLSsoccer.com: You were a groomsman in Crew and Wake Forest teammate Brian Carroll’s wedding. Are you vying to be the godfather when his and his wife’s first baby is delivered in September?
Hesmer:(Laughing) I’m not vying, but I would be honored.
MLSsoccer.com: You were a history major, so the History Channel has to be your favorite channel, right?
Hesmer: It depends on what’s on. I like Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. Discovery’s probably my favorite. Honestly, I probably watch more CNBC. I’m more business-oriented than anything.
MLSsoccer.com: Houston keeper Pat Onstad is 42. Do you see yourself, at 28, playing that long or close to it?
Hesmer: That’s the ultimate goal. As long as I’m healthy and playing well I don’t see why not.
MLSsoccer.com: There is a giant banner of you clutching a ball on the north side of Crew Stadium that is visible to thousands of motorists on I-71 every day. How do you feel about that?
Hesmer: I’m a little embarrassed by it, to be honest. I don’t really like those types of things, but sometimes it’s part of the job.
