As the MLS season approaches, the Great American Goalkeeper Shuffle continues!
- Nick Rimando made a big save in the US/Korea game (see cover gif) and then collected some low crosses. I think everyone feels confident with him as our third goalkeeper.
- I analyzed Tim Howard's play in Liverpool's dismantlement of Everton. Thanks again to the Everton defense for giving me such a great opportunity.
- Later in the week Everton picked up the W by defeating Aston Villa in the Great American Goalkeeper Battle. Both keepers were scored on 1v1s as well as a stellar free kick.
- I really loved this article that shows us why save percentage isn't a good enough metric for goalkeepers. It leaves us a little short of what is the next step to replace that stat (coughGSARcough) but it was still well-written for goalkeeping fanatics and beginners alike. Here are some more goalkeeping stat-driven articles:
- EPL save percentage from certain areas of the field (Part 1, Part 2)
- Another post on why we can't trust save percentage for goalkeepers.
- A rating for goalkeepers although no math provided
- Brian Holt is likely to get picked up by Philly. I had Holt at 71st in my Top 100 American Goalkeepers and I'll let you take that as you will. Soccer America optimistically wrote about him but.. come on... Philly just selected a goalkeeper with their number one pick.
- MLS wrote about Brad Knighton entering New England as he'll battle Bobby Shuttleworth for the starting spot. I think NE starts Knighton but I don't think either will sink the team in 2014.
- DC United called in Tampa Bay Rowdies goalkeeper Diego Restrepo but Restrepo was unable to make it. If DC was looking to bring in another goalkeeper that could imply that one is about to leave... Or it could mean nothing at all.
- US Soccer continued their "Opportunity Knocks" vids with one on 6'6" goalkeeper Christian Herrera. Meet Christian here, where he says he doesn't want to go to college :(
- UNC alum Scott Goodwin blooped back on the radar by signing with the Carolina RailHawks. Akira Fitzgerald, while undersized, did well in goal last season so I think Goodwin sits the bench for a while.
- Rapids goalie Matt Pickens is looking like he's on the way out but to where? Chivas are still short three and Vancouver is pretty thin.
- Joe Nasco (Atlanta Silverbacks) and John Berner (recent draftee) split some time for Colorado in their preseason match against Houston. Deric and Lisch protected the goal for the Dynamo.
- Spencer Richey, college standout, is recovering well.
- Highlight video of the US U20s playing Uruguay in the U20 World Cup. Brian Perk is in goal. He now is third string for the Galaxy but is still relatively young.
- Sammy Badr is trying out with OKC Energy as they are looking for more than one player at the moment. Their season starts within two months.
- Rimando, Johnson, and Hamid took some shots before the game.
- Oka Nikolov signed in with Fort Lauderdale after being released by the Union.
- Big Soccer links of pandemonium:
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is now on Netflix. I know that has nothing to do with soccer but it's a great flick.
- And lastly the photo carousel, including Italy's goalkeeping uniform for the World Cup (it looks like it was made specifically for Buffon) and the autographs from when I nervously approached Eric Wynalda and Grant Wahl this past week.
