Club

Goalkeeping

Our primary mission

GOALKEEPING | THE BOLTS WAY

At the Boston Bolts, goalkeeping goes beyond shot-stopping — it’s about leadership, composure, and confidence in every moment. Our goalkeeper program develops well-rounded athletes through specialized coaching that emphasizes technical skills, tactical awareness, and mental resilience. From mastering distribution and decision-making to commanding the box with presence, Bolts keepers are prepared to excel at the highest levels while embodying hard work, discipline, and character.

Goalkeeping PHILOSOPHY

With tireless dedication to young goalkeepers, we aim to develop an individual player within the team environment by utilizing a performance driven approach and long-term vision. Doing what is best for the player and not chasing a scoreline on a weekend, we equip our goalkeepers with robust skills and knowledge of the position helping them realize their full potential.

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Training Sessions

Recognizing the importance of and the integral part that goalkeepers play in the modern game, Bolts have a dedicated goalkeeping staff serving our players in all regions across Massachusetts.
With an established methodology and curriculum, we provide a training environment that is fun, yet challenging. This consistent goalkeeper-specific environment enhances player development in all four (technical, tactical, physical and mental) areas of the game and helps goalkeepers take their game to the next level. Our goalkeeping program is tailored towards players who want to be in an elite academy environment and challenge themselves against the best players in the region.
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Prospective Goalkeepers

The Bolts are always excited to connect with Prospective Goalkeepers who want to train in an academy environment and challenge themselves individually. Interested players should be committed to the game and possess a strong desire to become a better player.

Additionally, the Bolts offer multiple programs throughout the year that are open to all Goalkeepers and provide the opportunity to learn from our dedicated staff. To learn more about upcoming programs, please contact our Goalkeeping Coordinator, Vasily Yakimkin, at Vasily@bostonbolts.com.

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Goalkeeping Coaches

Goalkeeping Director
Vasiliy-1

Vasily Yakimkin

Director of Goalkeeping

Originally from Astrakhan, Russia, Vasily is entering his sixth season on staff with the club, having also worked with Boston University and Harvard University men's soccer programs. He currently holds his United Soccer Coaches’ Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma and USSF B license, along with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management. In his role, Vasily heads the goalkeeping program for the Bolts with primarily tasks of establishing the methodology and curriculum, facilitating player pathways, and leading goalkeeping coach education club-wide.
On the field, Vasily works with all age groups in the MLS Next platform along with serving as an assistant coach to these teams. His coaching philosophy is centered around individual player development within the team environment. His goal is to first develop a person who is confident, ethical and collaborative. Utilizing a long-term approach in his coaching, Vasily equips players with the robust foundation that allows them to realize their full potential.
Away from the field, Vasily enjoys spending time with his wife, Katarina, daughter, Veronica, and his dog, Baloo
Boston REgion
BOLTS CARD

Vasili Uspenski

Boys Boston Region & NEAL

Vasili Uspensky is a goalkeeper coach with experience across the collegiate, professional, and youth development levels. He coached goalkeepers at Harvard men's soccer (2015–2018) and Boston College (2018–2021), and is currently ranked the top goalkeeper coach for CoachUp in Massachusetts.

A former Division I goalkeeper at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and CAA champion, Vasili turned professional with the Richmond Rowdies before moving into coaching. He has worked personally with goalkeepers Matt Freese and Drake Callender, and has served as a World Cup pundit for NBC Boston and Telemundo.

Vasili is also Co-Founder and Director of Goalkeeping at Boston Kickers Academy, a club-agnostic youth development program whose athletes have gone on to compete at every NCAA division and the American professional level.

Outside of coaching, Vasili lives with his wife, Elissa, and their four children — Prudencia, Luca, Leo, and Rafa

Central Region
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Eric Gemboski

Central Region

Eric currently serve as the Central Region Goalkeeper Coach for the Boston Bolts, as well as the Men’s Goalkeeper Coach at Worcester State University and the Women’s Goalkeeper Coach at Assumption University.
He is also the President and CEO of Clean Sheet Goalkeeping, Inc., where I work with goalkeepers of all ages and levels through specialized goalkeeper training and development.
As a former collegiate goalkeeper, Eric combined his playing experience with goalkeeper-specific coaching licenses and continued education in the position. His coaching philosophy focuses on developing complete goalkeepers through strong technical foundations, decision-making, distribution, communication, leadership, and confidence.
Eric believes in developing the individual goalkeeper within the team environment and preparing players not only to make saves, but to understand the position, command their area, and positively impact the game.
Metro-North Region
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Fernando Valencia

Metro-North Region

Coming soon

West Region
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Kyle DeMaio

West Region

Coming Soon

GOALKEEPING PROGRAMS

The Boston Bolts goalkeeping programs are designed for further advancing goalkeeping skills and goalkeeping tactical awareness needed for advanced play in goal. While an extensive focus is placed on learning and mastering techniques, goalkeepers will be challenged to make good decisions and increase understanding of the game through various game-like situations (functional training).

Programs coming soon contact the goalkeeping director at vasily@bostonbolts.com