Dusty Hudock, goalkeepers coach at Charleston (S.C.) where Tambakis is playing this season, wanted to see if he was big enough, athletic enough, mentally strong enough and coachable.
In what should put a smile on the faces of members of Terminus Legion and other supporters of Atlanta United, Tambakis checks all four of Hudock’s boxes.
“If he’s not completely ready yet he’s going to be by the time the franchise opens its doors,” Hudock said.
The Greek native is 6-foot-2, so he’s big enough to command the 24-foot long by 8-foot tall goal. He doesn’t move with the stiffness of a statue, also important when it comes to dealing with crosses, corner kicks, and onrushing forwards. Tambakis has shrugged off mistakes in training, and worked hard to improve in the areas that Hudock is helping him with.
Lastly, he is humble.
“I always need to work on everything,” Tambakis said.
So how did an obscure player from the first Classic City of the first Athens turn into the first signing by an expansion club in North America?
Tambakis, 23, was schooled in the art of netminding with one of the biggest clubs in Greece, Panathinaikos. Being a young goalkeeper with a big club has its plusses and minuses.
While they receive some of the best coaching, player development and training, it can be hard to find games because big clubs typically have a lot of money, and they use that money to buy more experienced players, like goalkeepers. Tambakis has played less than 500 minutes from Panathinaikos and other clubs that he was sent out on loan to play for since signing in 2010.
“I was always ready,” Tambakis said. “You can see a lot of good goalkeepers who are young.”
Even Iker Casillas, once considered one of the world’s best goalkeepers when he was at Real Madrid and captained Spain when it won the World Cup and the player that Tambakis tries to model himself after, benefited from an injury to another goalkeeper to cement his place as a starter at his club.
When Atlanta reached out – and yes Tambakis had heard of Atlanta and Atlanta United – he said he was very interested. He hasn’t dreamed of the season opener, but he has thought about it.
“I just really want to play,” he said. “I’m just waiting on that moment.”
There’s work to do before then.
He hasn’t been named the starter yet for the Battery. Hudock, the Battery’s all-time leader in games played and a former MLS player, said the two goalkeepers are 1A and 1B.
Hudock likes that Tambakis throws himself face-first into challenges – what Tambakis refers to as character – and gets right back even if he is beaten. And Hudock said he will be beaten.
“As a goalkeeper in MLS you will take your lumps,” Hudock said. “No one in that league who doesn’t give up a goal a game.You are going to concede on occasion. Being able to handle that and stay calm, stay relaxed is a real important attribute.”
Hudock also wants to see Tambakis command the penalty box with more authority, something that he may not be as strong at yet because of his lack of familiarity with his teammates.
Tambakis will do the work.
“I just (want) to give my best, play games, that’s what I want to be ready for Atlanta and to be the best in Charleston and hopefully be in first place,” he said.
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