Dominik Jakubek was uncommonly busy for a backup goalkeeper during Sacramento Republic’s inaugural season. Injuries to Jake Gleeson, the team’s starting keeper in 2014, resulted in Jakubek making an appearance in half of the team’s 28 regular season matches, starting 11. During that time he made 32 saves and had a goals against average of 1.12, sixth best in the league among goalkeepers with a minimum of 1000 minutes played. This season, with new starter Patrick McLain staying mostly healthy, it almost looked as though his entire 2015 season would be limited to friendly and early US Open Cup appearances.

That changed during an away match to Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 earlier this month, when McLain was ruled out with a left shoulder injury as a game-time decision. Jakubek started the match against Whitecaps 2 and both of the matches following it. During that three match stretch, Jakubek has made 7 saves and has a goals against average of 0.33, having only conceded once.

“It’s been fun,” said Jakubek about his recent uptick in playing time. “It’s been a tough season, you always want to play. But I’m the type of guy who works hard at practice, stays focused and the coaching staff has been tremendous.”

Although the spotlight has been on Jakubek throughout this month, he wanted to shine a bit of light back on McLain after the Republic’s draw with Arizona United last weekend. “I just have to publicly congratulate Pat McLain,” he said. “Pat McLain has done a fantastic job. He took us to this position and unfortunately he got hurt… If it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t be in this position.”

What is most impressive about the situation with Jakubek stepping up in McLain’s absence is the lack of any sort of drop in performance. Jakubek has performed well, simply picking up where McLain left off. Not only does that reflect the talent of both players, it also illustrates the Republic’s depth of talent at goalkeeper. Although Sacramento only has two keepers on the roster, both have shown that they are good enough to be starters at the USL level, and having two starting caliber goalkeepers is a luxury at any level of the game.

While Jakubek is happy to be getting playing time and “getting [his] chance at playing well,” he is also concentrating on helping the team continue their success. “I just want to make another push for the playoffs and definitely repeat. We’ve gotta repeat, man.”

Jakubek and the Republic will get their chance to set themselves up for a repeat when they take on Orange County Blues on Tuesday at 7:30pm.

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