(Author’s note: Originally this list was published with Hemmo Riihimaki (18, KuPS) at 19th but Riihimaki was incorrectly listed as American. The rankings have been edited since.)
Rumors of an MLS U23 league have swirled for nearly a year until earlier this summer MLS announced 2022 will feature a lower league to distribute professional minutes to aspiring prospects. As MLS teams begin to assemble their rosters, coaches and scouts will comb through young talent to find potential goalkeepers that could eventually take the starting spot for the senior squad. Even though the US’s U23 squad failed to qualify for the 2020 Olympic tournament, there is still a plethora of promising young goalkeepers.
This list focuses almost exclusively on goalkeepers between 18 and 23 years old, although there are a few exceptions of younger players. The top ten goalkeepers are highlighted with a brief bio while another forty are ranked to display where are top goalkeepers are being developed. Goalkeepers are sorted on a blend of potential, current form, and past performances.
1. Ethan Wady, 19 - Chelsea U23s
Wady has quietly chipped away at making a career in England’s highly competitive environment. Over the past three years, Wady has ventured three different loans but it wasn’t until 2021 that the English-American goalkeeper started receiving significant minutes within Chelsea’s system. Wady has a nice blend of height and mobility, which terrifies opposing strikers trying to slip a shot past the 6’4” prospect. Chelsea aren’t short on options so his playing time isn’t easy to come by. However, if Wady can continue to prove he’s more than a big body in between the sticks - which he has successfully done so thus far - look for Wady to make in-roads for either England’s or the US’s Olympic squad in 2024.
2. Brooks Thompson, 19 - Sporting Kansas City
Although Thompson’s professional debut came in 2019, 2020 was Thompson’s coming-out party. Starting seven matches for Sporting Kansas City II, Thompson was one of five goalkeepers who received time in goal for SKC 2. In June, the Indiana-native recently returned from a lengthy injury recovery process to start in a 4-1 loss against Tulsa FC and struggling between deploying the popular K-save (think David de Gea) or standing his ground and react. Thompson has worked himself into a great position at 19 years old but he’ll need to continue detailing every facet if he wants to give himself a chance at playing beyond MLS.
3. Brandon Austin, 22 - Orlando City SC
Bradon Austin joins Orlando City on a loan from Tottenham’s U23s, where he received the bulk of his minutes last fall. Austin debuted with his new club in a 3-2 win over Toronto in late June, winning three of his five matches over a three-week stretch. The lanky English-born 22-year-old looked a little unsure in his first match with Orlando but his combination of size and speed makes for an intriguing future. Austin’s international status is still a little gray for the public, being both cited as a potential USMNT prospect and ineligible for the US from various outlets. If Austin turns out to be eligible for the US and continues to receive investment from his clubs, don’t be surprised to see another American goalkeeper back in the EPL.
4. Chris Brady, 17 - Chicago Fire
Brady is part of the new wave of young professional goalkeepers receiving a commitment from MLS sides. At just 16 years old, Brady saw eight starts in 2020 for Forward Madison after being sent out on loan from the Chicago Fire. For goalkeepers still in their teens, it’s uncommon to see a goalkeeper so polished in both technical and tactical areas but Brady is already checking a number of boxes. Undoubtedly Brady’s meticulous development combined with the poise of a professional well beyond his years paved the way for him to win the 2020 USL League One Young Player of the Year award. As for the Fire’s long-term plans, it’ll likely be a few years until we see him featured with the team due to his age. Fans of Brady’s game will have to stay patient for his MLS debut.
5. Carlos dos Santos, 20 - Benfica B
Playing time has been difficult to come by for dos Santos but if there’s anything to take away from Ethan Horvath’s most recent outing with the USMNT, it’s that you can train in a way that still keeps you prepared for when your moment arrives. Dos Santos received two starts in January with Benfica’s B squad, tying both games 1-1 and 2-2. In the latter match against Vilafranquense, he performed about what you’d expect a sweeper keeper with limited games would look like. Dos Santos’ game is built around boom or bust decision-making that has to be executed in tenths of a second. If he’s unable to find the right environment to detail his craft, his front footedness will risk going to waste.
6. Benny Diaz, 22 - Club Tijuana
Diaz received his professional debut on the heels of starting goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco being unable to finish a league match in April, opening the door for Diaz to make a 2 and 1/3 game run. Although Diaz was unable to pull out a result in the short spell, it was clear that Diaz felt more than comfortable playing a high line, if not outright dangerously too far from his goal. Similar to dos Santos, if Diaz is to reach his potential he’ll need a strong commitment to help him find the perfect balance of aggressiveness without reckless abandon. Liga MX teams aren’t historically great at giving minutes to young goalkeepers, although there seem to be some recent signs of that changing. If Diaz can continue to be intentionally developed, and not just randomly given minutes here and there, he could be a Rimando-esque surprise for fans down the line.
7. Rocco Rios Novo, 19 - Atlanta United 2
The California-born goalkeeper originally made waves for himself with Argentina’s U17 squad, winning the 2019 South American U-17 Championship and reaching the knockout round at the proceeding World Cup. Rios Novo fell off the radar over the following two years until resurfacing with Atlanta United through a loan deal from Argentine club Club Atlético Lanús. With Atlanta, Rios Novo preserved 135 minutes of shutout action after Brad Guzan’s red card in CONCACAF Champions League and has conceded only nine goals in seven appearances with Atlanta’s USL side this season. Although the young Argentine-American possesses the poise of a veteran in goal, his vertical and negative movement in goal can feel a little unsure at times. If Atlanta can instill a solid tactical foundation, look for Rios Novo to reemerge on the scene as more than a promising prospect.
8. John Pulskamp, 20 - Sporting Kansas City
Pulskamp has taken an odd route to end up where he is but Sporting Kansas City isn’t complaining. After leaving the Galaxy academy for a trial with Bournemouth FC, Pulskamp returned to the states in 2019 with SKC’s reserve side, Swope Park Rangers (now named Sporting Kansas City 2). Pulskamp received the bulk of the starts with their USL side in 2019 and was promoted to the first team soon after. Although few expected him to see minutes so quickly, Pulskamp opened the 2021 season in place for an injured Tim Melia and promptly made a statement for himself as more than just a developing backup. Although he has a tendency to run down the line on some plays that require patient decision-making, Pulskamp’s balance and quick footwork allow him to pull back shots destined for the net. If Pulskamp can continue to find minutes and consistency, the California-native could be a front-runner to replace Melia sooner than later.
9. Matt Freese, 22 - Philadelphia Union
Although the recent red card may imply the opposite, Freese’s game is built off consistency. He rarely looks out of depth and technically speaking he’s one of the most sound goalkeepers in the pool. And while the title of being an Olympic backup won’t impress some, he’s continued on a steady track since joining the Philadelphia Union. Recently, Freese earned the nod when Jamaican international Andre Blake left for the Gold Cup. Unfortunately, Freese’s his first minutes of the season ended short when he tugged a striker back while fighting for a loose ball. Although it’s an uncharacteristic error for Freese - and something we shouldn’t expect to see more of - there are still some question marks about his overall ceiling. Freese has made few errors in his professional minutes but he’s also displayed few game-changing saves. If Freese can capitalize on his consistency and add a layer of dynamic game-saving moments, he could make Manchester United just one of many interested European sides.
10. Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen, 20 - Swansea City U23s
Photo from Toffeeweb.
Everton brought Defreitas-Hansen over in 2017 and although he received minutes early on, eventually his time dwindled with the Blues. This summer Defreitas-Hansen relocated with Swansea City in hopes of a clean slate and more playing time. Similar to Freese, Defreitas-Hansen’s game is built off consistency and although he’s not unathletic, he marks about average in the age group for his spring and reactions. The polarizing grind of the Premier League’s structure can either harden a goalkeeper’s resolve through fire or quickly burn them out. Add on top that Defreitas-Hansen has already been featured within both the US and Denmark’s YNT setup, Defreitas-Hansen’s track to the USMNT is a difficult one. However, if he can regain some traction and continue to develop, he still has time to become a successful goalkeeper for both club and country.
11. David Ochoa, 20 - Real Salt Lake
12. Eric Lopez, 22 - Los Angeles Galaxy
13. Brady Scott, 21 - Memphis 901
14. Victor Vidal, 21 - Lleida Esportiu (Spain)
15. Zion Suzuki, 18 - Urawa Red Diamon (Japan)
16. Tomas Romero, 20 - Los Angeles FC
17. Damian Las, 19 - North Carolina FC
18. Hector Holguin, 20 - Santos U20s (Mexico)
19. Hunter Sulte, 19 - Portland Timbers
20. Eric De La Cerda, 20 - San Jose Earthquakes