Goalie vs Keeper
What is the proper nickname for goalkeepers?
You’ll hear this argument occasionally pop up in goalkeeper communities today, especially online:
“They’re called keepers in soccer, not goalies!”
“Keepers play soccer. Goalies play hockey, because ‘keeper’ comes from goalkeeper and ‘goalie’ comes from goaltender.”
— Some zealot
That’s it. That’s their whole argument. Is this true, though?
Nope…
“Goalie” is a perfectly fine nickname for goalkeepers in soccer.
Anecdotally speaking…
I’ve played goalkeeper and goaltender my whole life in both soccer and ice hockey. Those were my two main positions in my two main sports growing up. And, I’ve used the term “goalie” for both sports for over 40 years without ever being corrected, until somewhat recently. Literally no one I knew— including countless coaches, goalkeepers, and goalkeeper coaches — ever had a second thought when they heard “goalie.” We used the term interchangeably, just like countless other coaches, goalkeepers, goalkeeper coaches, and pundits at every level in soccer. This is even true in England.
So as a lifelong goalie, I feel like I’m in a very good position (pun intended) to make such an assertion: “goalie” is a perfectly fine nickname for goalkeepers in soccer.
Now, I get that’s anecdotal. So, let’s approach this logically, and buckle up, cuz I brought receipts.
Logically speaking…
While “goalkeeper” is the official term used to describe the position in soccer (i.e., Association Football) and “goaltender” is more often used in hockey, “goalkeeper” is actually the official term used in the USA Hockey’s and International Ice Hockey Federation’s rule books. In fact, you won’t find mention of “goaltender” in either of their official rules, but you will find it in Hockey Canada’s rules. Weird, right?
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There are also “goalkeepers” in other sports, like handball. So, suggesting “keepers play soccer” and not hockey or other sports isn’t accurate at all.
Not to mention, both terms have the word “goal” in them. So, to suggest that “goalie” is somehow exclusive to “goaltender” is absolutely ridiculous.
Goalies protect a goal, whether by “tending”, “minding,” or “keeping”. It’s that simple.
Even Merriam-Webster defines it as such:
goal•ie
plural goalies
: a player who defends the goal in any of various games (such as hockey, lacrosse, or soccer)
And, this is backed by plenty of other sources, like:
Conclusion
This whole argument, in my opinion, is a bit like the infamous “it’s not soccer, it’s football” argument. Both terms are valid, and the aversion to one versus the other is either rooted in one’s distaste for a specific term or one’s desire to separate their in-group from a specific out-group (or both).
Their arguments, however, are not based in logic, facts, or any actual definitions of either of the terms in question.
So, what is the proper nickname for goalkeepers?
You’ll be safe using keeper, goalie, or GK. And, if anyone gives you a hard time, point them in my direction.
