Returning from last year's edition, we're surveying the top goalkeepers in women's soccer. This year the list is trimmed down to only 50 but adding the top 20 goalkeepers under 24 to give the list some youth flare. Current tournaments of note include the 2017 Euros, featuring a number of Europe's top goalkeepers, and the Tournament of Nations, a round robin tournament with Australia, Brazil, Japan, and the United States.
Unless listed otherwise, goalkeepers' clubs play in their home country.
rank. name, nationality (club / league) - age
1. Almuth Schult, Germany (Wolfsburg) - 26
2. Alyssa Naeher, USA (Chicago Red Stars) - 29
3. Karen Bardsley, England (Manchester City) - 32
4. Stephanie Labbé, Canada (Washington Spirit / USA) - 30
5. Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Finland (Bayern Munich / Germany) - 31
6. Lisa Weiß, Germany (SGS Essen) - 29
7. Ashlyn Harris, USA (Orlando Pride) - 31
8. Erin McLeod, Canada (Rosengard / Sweden) - 34
9. Sarah Bouhaddi, France (Lyon) - 30
10. Stephanie Ohrstrom, Sweden (Fiorentina / Italy) - 30
As the Euros move to the knockout round, Karen Bardsely and Sarah Bouhaddi square off in the quarterfinals while Almuth Schult could potentially face one of them in the final. After allowing only seven goals in twenty games with Fiorentina, Stephanie Ohrstrom turned down a roster spot with Sweden at the Euros. Alyssa Naeher looks forward to facing high level opponents as USA kick off the Tournament of Nations. Thirty-four year old Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod doesn't seem to have missed a beat after returning this summer from her third knee surgery.
11. Gaëlle Thalmann, Switzerland (Verona / Italy) - 30
12. Lydia Williams, Australia (Houston Dash / USA) - 29
13. Carly Telford, England (Chelsea) - 30
14. Desiree Schumann, Germany (FFC Frankfurt) - 27
15. Méline Gérard, France (Lyon) - 27
16. Kathrin Längert, Germany (USV Jena) - 30
17. Dang Thi Kieu Trinh, Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) - 31
18. Neide Simões, Portugal (Valadares Gaia FC) - 29
19. Sofie Van Houtven, Belgium (OH Leuven) - 29
20. Katie Fraine, USA (Avaldsnes IL / Norway) - 29
Switzerland's Gaëlle Thalmann had a polarizing run of form in this year's Euro. After making a number of quality saves and fighting through a blow to the head, she misplayed a free kick that ended Switzerland's chances of making the knockout stage. Lydia Williams earned a shutout against the United States in the opening game of the Tournament of Nations. Carly Telford did well to help Chelsea finish first in the WSL's interim Spring Series. Neide Simões's last appearance for Portugal was in a 6-0 loss to Denmark back in March, but did keep a 0.78 GAA with Valadares Gaia FC last season. Katie Fraine and Avaldsnes currently sit second in the Toppserien, conceding only nine goals in twelve games.
21. Kateryna Samson, Ukraine (Ryazan / Russia) - 29
22. Mya Phu Ngon, Myanmar (Unknown) - 27
23. Alessia Gritti, Italy (Mozzanica) - 30
24. Elena Kochneva, Russia (Zvezda Perm) - 27
25. Brittany Cameron, USA (Vegalta Sendai / Japan) - 30
26. Loes Geurts, Netherlands (PSG / France) - 31
27. Haley Kopmeyer, USA (Seattle Reign) - 27
28. Hedvig Lindahl, Sweden (Chelsea / England) - 34
29. Michelle Betos, USA (Vålerenga / Norway) - 29
30. Oksana Zhelezynyak, Kazakhstan (BIIK-Karzygurt) - 30
Mya Phu Ngon did her best to qualify Myanmar for the Asian Cup but came up short against Vietnam. Haley Kopmeyer is in the running to be the next USWNT goalkeeper after stellar play with the Reign over the last few years. Loes Geurts is currently the backup for both PSG and the Netherlands, although has done well with the opportunities she's received. Hedvig Lindahl and Sweden will play the Euros' host country, the Netherlands, this weekend in a chance to move to the semifinals.
31. Adelaide Gay, USA (IBV / Iceland) - 27
32. Libby Stout, USA (Apollon Limassol / Cyprus) - 27
33. Michele Dalton, USA (Chicago Red Stars) - 29
34. Dinnia Diaz, Costa Rica (UD Moravia) - 29
35. Sari van Veenendaal, Netherlands (Arsenal / England) - 27
36. Julia Grichenko, Russia (CSKA Moskva) - 27
37. Ainhoa Tirapu, Spain (Athletic Bilbao) - 32
38. Katrine Abel, Denmark (Brondby) - 27
39. Lisa Schmitz, Germany (Turbine Potsdam) - 25
40. Sabrina D'Angelo, Canada (North Carolina Courage / USA) - 24
After being released by the Boston Breakers, Libby Stout heads to Cyprus to begin Champions League in August. Adelaide Gay and IBV are fighting for a top spot in the Urvalsdeild and have only surrendered nine goals in eleven games. Sari van Veenendaal looks to continue her successful run with the Netherlands, after never losing a game with Arsenal in seven appearances this spring. Sabrina D'Angelo is making a name for herself and is in line to become Canada's number one down the road.
41. Karima Benameur, France (Juvisy) - 28
42. Nicole Barnhart, USA (FC Kansas City) - 35
43. Stina Lykke Petersen, Denmark (Odense Boldklub) - 31
44. Anke Preuss, Germany (Sunderland / England) - 24
45. Ingrid Hjelsmeth, Norway (Stabaek) - 37
46. Emma Byrne, Ireland (Brighton / England) - 38
47. Adrianna Franch, USA (Portland Thorns FC) - 26
48. Siiri Välimaa, Finland (Grand Bodø / Norway) - 27
49. Laëtitia Philippe, France (Montpellier) - 26
50. Erina Yamane, Japan (JEF United Ichihara Chiba) - 26
A number of veterans in the last group. World Cup alum Nicole Barnhart is still playing well with FC Kansas City. Ingrid Hjelsmeth and Emma Byrne combine for over 240 caps with their respective national teams and are still heavily featured with their respective nations. Stina Lykke Petersen has had a strong start to the Euros but will need to continue her form to upset Germany in their first knockout game.
Top 20 Goalkeepers Under 24
1. Jane Campbell, USA (Houston Dash) - 22
2. Lindsey Harris, USA (FH / Iceland) - 23
3. Madalyn Schiffel, USA (Seattle Reign) - 22
4. Alyssa Giannetti, USA (Arna-Bjørnar / Norway) - 22
5. Mackenzie Arnold, Australia (Brisbane Roar) - 23
6. Abby Smith, USA (Boston Breakers) - 23
7. Friederike Abt, Germany (Hoffenheim) - 23
8. Merle Frohms, Germany (Wolfsburg) - 22
9. Meike Kämper, Germany (Duisburg) - 23
10. Sammy Jo Prudhomme, USA (Boston Breakers) - 23
After allowing five goals in her first start, Jane Campbell has limited opponents to just three goals in her last six games. Lindsey Harris is doing more than fine in her first season in Iceland, starting all ten games for FH. Merle Frohms has continued to work her way up with Germany's youth teams and is now learning under Almuth Schult. Boston Breakers hold two strong prospects with Sammy Jo Prudhomme and Abby Smith, the latter being called up for the Tournament of Nations.
11. Anna Klink, Germany (Bayer Leverkusen) - 22
12. Gabrielle Lambert, Canada (ASPTT Albi / France) - 23
13. Josefine Ervik, Norway (Valerenga) - 22
14. Sophie Baggaley, England (Birmingham City) - 20
15. Emily Armstrong, USA (Medkila / Norway) - 22
16. EJ Proctor, USA (Duke University) - 21
17. Megan Walsh, England (Yeovil Town) - 22
18. Kailen Sheridan, Canada (Sky Blue FC, USA) - 22
19. Cecilie Fiskerstrand, Norway (Lillestrom) - 21
20. Nicole Studer, Switzerland (Zürich) - 21
Canadian goalkeeper Gabrielle Lambert made a name for herself quickly in France, starting eleven games and helping ASPTT Albi avoid relegation. Collegiate standouts heading into the fall season include Duke's EJ Proctor and Clemson's Kailen Sheridan, both of which will likely be playing well into November. Norway's Cecilie Fiskerstrand is one of the youngest goalkeepers at the Euros, entering the tournament with fourteen caps as a twenty-one year old.