Welcome to the first Women's Top 50! The World Cup less than 100 days away and if unless you haven't been on Twitter you know all about the buzz surrounding Hope Solo's return to the USWNT. While Solo is the expected starter, there should be little worry if Ashlyn Harris were to fill in. Yes, she was in goal for the 2-0 loss against France, but she's playing sharp and the goals would have been scored on any of the goalkeepers listed below, not to mention that Harris kept the score at only two. Along that line, there are plenty of goalkeepers that could fill in for Solo if it were to come for it.
Five other goalkeepers you should take note of:
- Mallori Lofton - She is still recovering from concussion symptoms but if she can regain her form, she'll contend for the starting spot following this World Cup. (Highlights)
- Michelle Betos - Betos is in an interesting position sitting behind the most recent FIFA Women's Play of the Year winner, Nadine Angerer. Angerer is 36 years old while Betos, 27, is entering her prime. We could see a switch at the guard in Portland soon. (Highlights)
- Libby Stout - The starting goalkeeper for Liverpool at only 24, Stout led the team to winning the FA WSL - the highest league in England - and reached the Round of 32 in the Champions League. (Highlights)
- Katie Fraine - Coincidentally, Stout's run in the Champions League was ended by Linkoping. Fraine and Linkoping have reached the quarterfinals and play Brøndby on the 22nd and 28th for a shot in the semifinal. (Highlights)
- Sabrina D'Angelo - D'Angelo was drafted this year by goalkeeper-heavy Western NY. She may be off the radar for a few years as she develops but could definitely take over the starting spot when the time comes. (Highlights)
The USWNT returns to the Algarve Cup this year, playing their first game against Norway on Wednesday. The World Cup kicks off June 6th.
I've researched as much as I could on each goalkeeper but as you can guess some were easier to find footage and recent information on than others. Each line includes the player's name, their club, overall rating, and their age. For a guide on ratings, over 58 is an elite goalkeeper. 58 to 56 is an above average professional starter while below 56 is sub-average. If you are aware of any inaccuracies, please, for all things goalkeeper, inform me of my mistake.
1. Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit / USA.1) - 57.9 (29.4)
2. Hope Solo (Seattle Reign / USA.1) - 57.7 (33.7)
3. Mallori Lofton (SC Sand / Germany.1) - 57.6 (27.5)
4. Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City / USA.1) - 57.4 (33.4)
5. Michelle Betos (Portland Thorns FC / USA.1) - 57.4 (27.1)
6. Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers / USA.1) - 57.3 (26.9)
7. Ashley Thompson (Medkila / Norway.1) - 57.2 (29.2)
8. Libby Stout (Liverpool / England.1) - 57.1 (24.8)
9. Katie Fraine (Linkoping / Sweden.1) - 57.1 (27.3)
10. Brittany Cameron (Sky Blue FC / USA.1) - 57.1 (28.3)
11. Arianna Criscione (Saint-Étienne / France.1) - 56.5 (30.1)
12. Michele Dalton (Kvarnsveden / Sweden.2) - 56.3 (26.8)
13. Adelaide Gay (Washington Spirit / USA.1) - 56.3 (25.3)
14. Alyssa Whitehead (Mallbacken / Sweden.1) - 56.2 (25.3)
15. Allysa Clark (Masinac Nis / Serbia.1) - 56.1 (28.5)
16. Chantel Jones (Washington Spirit / USA.1) - 56.1 (26.7)
17. Catherine Fitzsimmons (ASPTT Albi / France.1) - 56 (26.3)
18. Jeannette Williams (Vikingur Olafsvik / Iceland.2) - 55.7 (26.2)
19. Jaime Souza (Arna-Bjørnar / Norway.1) - 55.5 (29.2)
20. Bianca Henninger (Houston Dash / USA.1) - 55.4 (24.4)
21. Vikki Alonzo (Thor / KA / Iceland.1) - 55.2 (25.2)
22. Adrianna Franch (Western New York Flash / USA.1) - 55.2 (24.3)
23. Chanté Sandiford (Free Agent / None) - 55 (25.2)
24. Brett Maron (Kristianstad / Sweden.1) - 55 (28.8)
25. Alexa Gaul (Selfoss / Iceland.1) - 54.8 (23.8)
26. Haley Kopmeyer (Seattle Reign / USA.1) - 54.8 (24.8)
27. Shelby Tomasello (Höttur / Iceland.2) - 54.5 (24.4)
28. Sara Keane (FC Kansas City / USA.1) - 54.1 (23.8)
29. Micaela Crowley (IR Reykjavik / Sweden.2) - 54 (30.2)
30. Dijana Haracic (Western New York Flash / USA.1) - 53.9 (23.2)
31. Aubrey Bledsoe (Sky Blue FC / USA.1) - 53.8 (23.3)
32. Meagan McCray (Valur / Iceland.1) - 53.7 (27.8)
33. Kelsey Wys (Western New York Flash / USA.1) - 53.7 (24.1)
34. Sarah Glass (Throttur Reykjavik / Sweden.2) - 53.5 (27.2)
35. Taylor Vancil (Chicago Red Stars / USA.1) - 53.4 (23.8)
36. Anna Sieloff (BV Cloppenburg / Germany.1) - 53.3 (22.9)
37. Katherine Linn (Issy / France.1) - 53.1 (23.2)
38. Brittany Anghel (AIK / Sweden.1) - 53.1 (22.6)
39. Caitlin Updyke (IA Akranes / Iceland.1) - 52.9 (22.8)
40. Jami Ann Kranich (Boston Breakers / USA.1) - 52.7 (22.8)
41. Megan Kinneman (Houston Dash / USA.1) - 52.4 (22.8)
42. Sabrina D'Angelo (Western New York Flash / USA.1) - 52.2 (21.8)
43. Caroline Stanley (USC / USA.N) - 51.6 (22)
43. Megan Kufeld (Washington / USA.N) - 51.6 (22)
45. Abby Smith (Texas / USA.N) - 51.1 (21.4)
46. Jordan Day (Free Agent / None) - 51 (21.9)
47. Abigail Steele (Oregon / USA.N) - 50.8 (21.5)
48. Bryane Heaberlin (North Carolina / USA.N) - 50.5 (21.3)
49. Holly Van Noord (Liberty / USA.N) - 50.5 (21.6)
50. Katelyn Rowland (FC Kansas City / USA.1) - 49.6 (21)