As we continue to grow as a company we can't help but look back and reflect on an incredible 2023. It was almost impossible to choose- but here are our top 10 moments from the year!
10. Stefan Frei tops the MLS in shutouts
Sometimes the sheets are simply TOO CLEAN! Sounders FC goalkeeper, Stefan Frei, had another spectacular season posting 14 clean sheets in the regular season as well as a league best .88 GAA. He also extended his contract with the team keeping him as our hometown goalkeeper (yes- West Coast is in Seattle) for another two seasons.
What glove is Stef wearing these days? Depends on how he feels in the morning with two signature gloves: The Spyder S24F Evil Twins and Spyder S24F Holy Twins
9. The West Coast Family gets bigger
With social media becoming such a popular tool for tips, training and goalkeeper analysis we felt it was important for our company to work with the best and teamed up with Quinn Stahmer and Andreas Vaikla to be West Coast Pros and ambassadors in the goalkeeping space! We knew we wanted with goalkeepers whose content and goalkeeping backgrounds we believed in and we knew would provide sound technique and training advice.
Quinn (@quinns1gk)
Dre (@drethegk)
Be sure to give them and us (@westcoastgk) a follow. We are lucky to have these guys on board!
8. WCGK at the WWC
West Coast Pro Team Goalkeepers Kailen Sheridan (Canada) and Kiara Fontanilla (Phillipines) represented their countries at the Women's World Cup this summer. Kailen started 3 matches for Canada in her signature Phantom Platinum. Few things beat watching West Coast pros and their gloves on the biggest stage in the world!
6. Danny Vitiello wins USL Golden Glove & GKOTY
Sacramento Republic FC and Pro Team goalkeeper, Danny Vitiello, had a standout season for his USL Championship side. Vitiello won the USL Golden Glove Award tallying 82 saves, had a save percentage of 76.2% and a league-best .83 goals against average. Then, after leading Sacramento to the Western Conference regular season title and a conference title appearance, Vitiello was named USL Goalkeeper of the Year. Danny sported the clean Kona Pure gloves to match his 11 clean sheets.
5. Gloves for a Cause
West Coast Pro Team and NYCFC goalkeeper, Matt Freese, visited the Montefiore Children's hospital to brighten spirits and got help in designing a new, custom Quantum Model. The kids designed gloves with crayons and a template and we brought the creation to life with each piece of the glove having been sourced from the designs they did with Matt. Matt will wear the gloves at some point in the upcoming season!
WATCH the Montefiore recap to learn more!
4. West Coast unveils first non-finger save glove models
After nearly two years of development, West Coast made its presence felt in the non-finger save glove world. The lightest gloves on the market, the Aero line, arrived fast an furious this year with 4 models making their way to the West Coast website. First came the Aero Alpha. Than the Aero Bravo. Then then Aero Gamma. And finally the Aero Turner.
But we weren't done there. The first of its line in the Raptor series, The Raptor Typhoon, just launched over Black Friday to an incredible response.
Expect more from both lines in 2024!
3. Matt Turner holds it down for the US
In July Matt Turner became the fastest USMNT Goalkeeper to 20 wins and 20 shutouts! Since then he's tallied even more and currently has 23 clean sheets and 23 wins in just 37 appearances. The top choice USMNT goalkeeper also starts for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League most recently backstopping them to a 3-1 win over Newcastle.
...And speaking of non-finger save models: Turner debuted his NEW Aero Turner earlier this year.
2. Mandy Haught (and Nealy Martin) win the NWSL Championship
Mandy Haught stepped up when Gotham FC needed her most and backstopped her side to their first NWSL Championship. After starting the final 4 games of the regular season and helping Gotham secure a playoff berth by finishing 6th on the NWSL table, Mandy stood on her head in the playoffs. Haught only conceded1 goal through 3 games and made countless massive saves at critical moments to spur her side to victory.
The Championships game was not without drama, however! Mandy Haught was issued a red card in stoppage time but midfielder Nealy Martin stepped into goal and saw out the victory for Gotham FC.
And you know we had to get the victors some special Aero Turners!
1. West Coast makes TV debut in Ted Lasso Season 3
We don't think we will ever get over this one! Actor Moe Jeudy-Lamour repped West Coast all throughout season 3 of the hit show, Ted Lasso. Whether you knew him Thierry Zoreaux, Zorro or Van Damme you will have seen multiple models of West Coast gloves all throughout the AFC Richmond season.
Read more on the gloves featured and how the partnership came to be!