Iola native Royce Smith set a Swedish record for least goals allowed for his IFK Umeå Division IV south league professional soccer team this year.
Smith also took home the Goalkeeper of the Year award in the league, set a record for the most matches without a goal (15) as well as the fewest goals allowed in a single season. The goalkeeper broke the league record of the least number of goals allowed by five.
“It was the most special season,” said Smith. “I don’t think any other season I’ve had could match it. I had a lot of fun playing in Central America, but I didn’t really get a proper full season due to Covid. It was on another level, it felt like I wasn’t even there. I was just enjoying it so much in the moment.”
What made the season even more special for the Iolan was the fact his team won its league, advancing up to Division III.
“I think the fact that we won against our main competition and we won at their home was one of the biggest things for us as a team,” Smith said.
Smith’s team also competed in the Swedish Cup earlier in the year. The Cup is the tournament that involves all of the professional, semi-professional and amateur teams around the country to decide who the best teams are and to get a feel of where they stand. 
IFK Umeå reached the third round of the Swedish Cup tournament.
The Swedish Division IV teams play a seven-month season which begins in April. The stamina required to last a full season is certainly a challenge for any team in the league but Smith’s team was able to leap over that hurdle and had enough depth and stamina to even play tight with many Division III teams.
“The trophy is cool and all but the fact that we could potentially go up and play at the next level and beat the opposition and play against better teams is the goal,” Smith said. “Now that I’ve truly won something and everything was almost perfect, I don’t want to have anything but that now so now I’m just striving for that and craving for feeling the medal around my neck.”
Smith, 21, was married this year to a girl he met in Sweden a few years ago. He and his wife are currently living in Iola. They are working on gaining her full U.S. legal citizenship.
The goalkeeper realizes he is still very young in his career and wants to continue playing for as long as he can. Smith doesn’t know if he wants to return to the same team in Sweden next year because they are bringing in a new head coach which could change his playing time.
“It means a lot because I’m still young in my career so it’s a big deal to get some big accolades and be able to work off something big,” said Smith. “I’d like to stay with them but it also depends on playing time and how the new coach feels about my playing style.”
He described his playing style as more passive than other goalkeepers’ but that he knows when to be aggressive and “get big” when the opposing team is barrelling his way. Smith is a smaller goalkeeper compared to others but doesn’t let his size dictate how he performs.
“I like to hang out pretty deep in the box. I like to sit further back because first I’m a smaller goalkeeper but also I understand the size thing,” said Smith. “I’d like to say I’m good at reading the game and it helps me understand when it’s time to come out and be aggressive.”
In Smith’s free time in Sweden, he enjoyed doing videography for different artists and music concerts and festivals around the country. Some of Smith’s videography included Macklemore. He explained that some of the DJs he met have done shows for Tech N9ne and 50 Cent when they perform in the country.
