The goalkeeper who delivered Curaçao its first World Cup point doesn’t play for one of the top clubs in Europe, or even the top tier in the U.S.
Eloy Room of the USL Championship’s Miami FC recorded 15 saves in Curaçao’s scoreless draw against Ecuador on Saturday night in Kansas City. The match marked the first World Cup point for the tiny island nation, which is appearing in the tournament for the first time.
Room, 37, didn’t have a great start to the World Cup. He was also in goal for Curaçao’s opening game, a 7–1 loss to Germany. Now, he holds the record for the second-most saves in a World Cup match, behind U.S. keeper Tim Howard’s 16 saves in 2014.
After the match, Room joked about his historic performance: “I think I need a statue in Curaçao I think now.”
Room was born in the Netherlands, but chose to represent Curaçao on the national level.
