cover photo from Duke University
The fall season concludes this November but a number of question marks still loom as we head into the spring season. As to how the MLS draft and final months of the college season will unfold, it’s anyone’s guess. As of now, the top goalkeepers are listed below, as rated by Everybody Soccer, but it should be noted that about half the goalkeepers haven’t played a competitive collegiate game in over a year.
Seniors
1. Will Pulisic (Duke)
2. Chase Vosvick (Loyola Maryland)
3. Tor Saunders (Coastal Carolina)
4. Enrique Facusse (Kentucky, Honduras)
5. Jan Hoffelner (St. John's, Germany)
6. Ben Hale (Furman)
7. Matthew Rosenberg (Xavier)
8. Colin Shutler (Virginia)
9. Jake Gelnovatch (Louisville)
10. Noah Lawrence (Ohio State)
11. Carson Williams (Villanova)
12. Connor Gavigan (Florida Gulf Coast)
13. Will Palmquist (Denver)
14. TJ Bush (James Madison)
15. Drew Romig (Belmont)
One to watch: Tor Saunders. Saunders is a prototypical MLS 1.0 goalkeeper. He’s technically sound, he’s not afraid to leave his line, and he has the needed athleticism to cover both the high and low parts of the net. Despite coming out of the Seattle Sounders’ academy, Saunders had a relatively quiet start to his collegiate tenure. After three years at Akron, two of which he sat, Saunders transferred to Coastal Carolina and led the Chanticleers to a 6-1-1 record, as well as a Sun Belt Championship. If Saunders can carry on the success through the spring season, look for professional sides to try to bring him in for 2021.
Juniors
1. Andrew Thomas (Stanford)
2. Giannis Nikopolidis (Georgetown, Greece)
3. Justin Garces (UCLA)
4. Elian Haddock (Yale)
5. Quantrell Jones (UMBC)
6. George Tasouris (Grand Canyon, Cyprus)
7. Leon Krapf (NC State, Germany)
8. Dane Jacomen (Penn)
9. George Marks (Clemson)
10. Alex Budnik (Dartmouth)
One to watch: Elian Haddock. Talk to anyone who has watched Haddock over the past year and they’ll praise his game on a number of levels: strong hands, fluid movement, and willingness to put his body on the line. As he enters his junior year, the last box Haddock has to check is his ability to improv when plays break down. The 3-1 win over Dartmouth last fall showcased some of the high and low points to Haddock’s game. Multiple times in the game, Haddock showed confident handling and smooth footwork in the box. However, Haddock’s shutout is lost on an unorthodox chance on goal, where Haddock struggled to read the ball quick enough to drop step and push the lob over the bar. If Haddock can show more consistency in dealing with atypical situations, the Ivy Leaguer could make a run at the next level.
Sophomores
1. Kris Shakes (Penn State)
2. Tomas Romero (Georgetown, El Salvador)
3. Michael Collodi (Columbia)
4. Patrick Schulte (Saint Louis)
5. Roman Celentano (Indiana)
6. Sam Fowler (Washington)
7. Matt Zambetti (Virginia Tech)
8. Collin Travasos (California)
9. Ryan Bilichuk (South Carolina)
10. Justin Grady (George Washington)
One to watch: Kris Shakes. Somewhat counter to junior goalkeeper Elian Haddock, Shakes’ difficulties don’t seem to be found in his improvisational skills. Shakes has a great “nose for the ball” and combined with his explosive range, strikers should cherish the rare goal that slips past the Penn State goalkeeper. However, Shakes leans a little too heavily on throwing his body at the ball, often using it as his first and last option in stopping a chance on goal. The controlled chaos approach is reminiscent of Steve Clark and Bill Hamid but the veteran goalkeepers have a clear blueprint they work off, which strengthens their ability to react in a natural and fitting way for themselves. If Shakes can find a similar blueprint for himself, one that gives him more consistency yet doesn’t shackle his approach, MLS could prove to be a springboard for a career overseas.
Freshmen
1. Ryan Schewe (Georgetown)
2. James Lowell (Maryland)
3. Bryan Dowd (Notre Dame)
4. Brant Zulauf (Mercer)
5. Marco Saborio Perez (North Carolina, Costa Rica)
6. Josue Hangi (Akron)
7. John Harms (Duke)
8. Ethan Wood (Michigan)
9. Eliot Jones (Stanford)
10. Alex Rando (Virginia)
One to watch: Bryan Dowd. Dowd was one of four freshmen invited to SKC’s college combine this fall, joining a senior-heavy group to showcase their talent to professional scouts. The Notre Dame backup didn’t see any minutes this fall but the USYNT product will likely take over the starting position next year. Dowd has an interesting blend of power and speed but, as of right now, it’s unforeseen how long he’ll stay with the Fighting Irish.
Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings
2019: Preseason and Final
2018: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2015: Preseason and Final
2014: Final