Apart from Moss, there are New Zealand keepers in professional environments (Jake Gleeson at USL Pro League club Sacramento Republic, Max Crocombe at English League One club Oxford, Scott Basalaj at Scottish Premier League club Partick Thistle and Stefan Marinovic at German second-tier side 1860 Munich) but Spoonley and Williams seem nearer the top of the queue.
They have played the waiting game. Williams was first picked for the All Whites a decade ago but is still waiting for his chance to pull on the No 1 jersey. The 27-year-old Spoonley has taken the field twice for the national team but those appearances were six years apart. He was at the Phoenix for their inaugural season in 2007-08 but has made only two appearances since.
"It's always tough for young goalkeepers," says Spoonley. "It's part of the game - everyone knows that keepers get better with age and you have to do your time but it doesn't make it any easier."
"It's generally hard to assess keepers," says Williams. "It's a specialised, situational job and clubs tend to stay with what they have got. Outfielders have more positions and more room to impress."
Both men have thrived when given chances at higher levels. Spoonley was judged A-League goalkeeper of the week on his Phoenix debut against Melbourne Heart in 2012 and was equally impressive in his sole Phoenix appearance this season, a narrow loss to Brisbane in round two. Williams was immense against Japanese champions Sanfreece Hiroshima, who he defied for more than an hour, including a brilliant double save, in Auckland's 1-0 loss at the 2012 Fifa Club World Cup. He stood out again in this year's edition, when Auckland lost 2-1 to eventual finalists Raya Casablanca.
Williams was picked up by the Football Kingz as a 19-year-old after trialling at Blackburn a year earlier and made the All Whites squad for the 2004 World Cup qualifying tournament in Adelaide. After New Zealand's failure at that event, which meant nothing on the horizon for the next few years, Williams opted to pursue a modelling career which took him around the world.
He spent almost four years in front of the camera and returned to top level football only in 2011 when he signed with Auckland City. He worked for worldwide brands such as Calvin Klein, Esprit and Dolce & Gabbana and appeared on reality show America's Next Top Model.
He was No 2 to Spoonley before an injury gave him his chance. Last season, Williams impressed more in the early season matches, leaving Spoonley on the bench for the entire campaign.
"I loved it at Auckland City and they were amazing fans," says Spoonley. "At the time, [coach] Ramon [Tribulietx] saw something in Tamati Williams that he didn't see in me and that is the way football goes."
"It was easier for me to stay on top of my game when he was around at the club," says Williams. "We really pushed each other. Obviously it was tough sometimes - we both wanted to play and we are good mates - but we don't choose who starts."
Spoonley moved south at the start of this season and has enjoyed the rare distinction of being captain from the back.
"It's unusual for a goalkeeper," admits Spoonley. "I'm enjoying it. As a keeper, you need to be vocal anyway, though you can be a bit detached from what is going on - and sometimes the referees ask 'who can I talk to...' when play is up the other end of the field."
Team Wellington were quietly confident heading into this season and the turning point came after their round nine 3-1 win over Waitakere United.
"They were a well-established franchise and we had come of age," says Spoonley. "We didn't need to be afraid of the big boys any more."
Still, Auckland City will be favourites today, playing at their Kiwitea St home base. They have been the most consistent team all season and Portuguese signing Joao Moreira and a revitalised Emiliano Tade have given them an extra edge up front.
"They have threats all over the park," says Spoonley. "But we are pretty resolute in defence with Tom Doyle and [former Fulham player] James Musa. And we have plenty of goals in us too."
