Everybody Soccered - Week 39 (2014)

The 2015 American Goalkeeper (Final) Destination list bumped last week's goalkeeper update so this one is a two-fer. But keep an eye on the destination list as the US is experience its biggest expansion since the Louisiana Purchase. With all the teams exiting and entering the scene, there will be several goalkeepers in new places, including lots of backups getting some time to shine.

This week's Top NCAA Goalkeepers of the Week goes to Denver's Oliver Brown. Brown is a senior and has allowed only three goals in the last four games to push Denver to a 6-3-0 record. Denver are projected to handily win their conference and return to the NCAA tournament. Check out his highlights against New Hampshire and Portland to see him in action. Some other great saves from the past two weeks include La Salle's Mike Kirk's very exciting albeit chaotic save and Penn State's Andrew Wolverton extending for a low save against Michigan. And over at College Soccer News, Pat Wall won player of the week for his performance against UNC.

Tim Howard and Brad Guzan have had drastically different seasons thus far in the Premiership. While Howard put his name on another record (tied most saves in a Europa League game), he's conceded 17 goals in the six EPL and one League Cup games. Specifically the losses against Crystal Palace and Chelsea were the hardest to watch. Everton sits on a little bit of a positive note after tying top of the table Liverpool 1-1 to push them into 15th place. Guzan on the other hand has helped Aston Villa get to sixth place. Guzan has given up seven goals in the run, although six have come in the last two games. There is a USMNT game on the horizon (Ecuador, October 10th) but it's unlikely to see Guzan make the roster as most of the players will be coming from stateside clubs. However it's Donovan's last game so maybe Howard and Guzan show up to congratulate him.

Seattle Sounders won their fourth US Open Cup in six years, this time over the Philadelphia Union. Since both starting goalkeepers have had up and down seasons, here's an attempted cheer-me-up with their best saves from the match:

USL Pro rightly rewarded John McCarthy with the Rookie of the Year Award as well as Goalkeeper of the Year. McCarthy was admitted to the first All-League team earlier in the week and Joe Willis made the second team. MLS's site would ironically boast the two all-league squads were "packed with MLS talent" even though McCarthy went undrafted last year in the MLS Superdraft and stole the starting spot from a goalkeeper on loan from a MLS club.

There have been some really supreme saves in MLS these past couple weeks. Week 27's were the strongest batch ever prepared and the following week had some really fun saves too.

And to top it all off, Steve Clark had a penalty save this past weekend that was equal parts lateral movement and reflexes. Outstanding stuff.

If this is Jon Busch's last year, the thirty-eight year old is making the most of it. Busch has 117 saves through 29 games. Assuming he finishes the season's last five games, he's on pace for 137. Busch's final tally should be the most in a season since 2007 when Nick Rimando had 146. If he can notch 19 more he'll surpass Matt Reis as fifth all-time in saves.

MLS released their annual 24 Under 24 and Bill Hamid was the loan representative for goalkeepers at 10th while Jon Kempin was snubbed off the list. This is Hamid's fifth and final year on the list as he's aged out.

Scott Goodwin was awarded a mouthful of an award, the US Open Cup Lower Division Player of the Tournament. Carolina had one of the more successful runs by a non-MLS side by topping Chivas USA in penalty kicks and holding on to a 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy. 

The U17s are off to Panama to face Costa Rica, Canada, and Panama this week. Kevin Silva and William Pulisic are on the roster. The U23s have announced a game against Brazil's respective side but no names have been released yet.

Maryland alum Keith Cardona made the bench for FC Liefering last Friday. The starting goalkeeper received a red card the game before so Cardona had room on the bench opened up for him. This isn't a huge milestone in itself but it's always cool to see a player make the game day roster for the first time.

After losing 4-0 in his opening start, David Bingham has allowed four goals in three games with his loaned club, Strømmen IF.

Orlando City is making some room for the MLS entrance. They've released all of their three goalkeepers, including fan favorite Miguel Gallardo. They, like New York City FC, are showing a willingness to spend money so perhaps we'll see a notable name in the back.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap was attempting to move to India to play for the ISL’s NorthEast United F.C. The deal has apparently fallen through and Gilstrap is open to playing elsewhere.

Phil Saunders had an assist two weeks ago. Watch his punt-pass here at the 0:58 mark.

Pretty excited for next month's Top 100 USGKs. There's a new number one in town and the spotlight is falling on Bill Hamid. Yes, THAT Bill Hamid.

And if this was all too serious for you, enjoy this goalkeeper's headed own goal. Needless to say he is not America.

Late News Additions

Eric Lopez is rumored to be signing a home grown contract with LA. Signing Lopez this young sounds like Lopez was looking to go abroad if he didn’t get signed by some professional team. Look for Lopez to start in ten years.

Cody Cropper made one save in a 2-0 win over Norwich City's U20s.

Alexander Tambakis has started at least three games for Niki Volos FC, a recently promoted club to Greece's Super League. However the warm welcoming has been short as Niki Volos sit dead last and have yet to get any points in their five matches. Tambakis is on loan from Panathinaikos, another Super League club.