Everybody Soccered - Week 5

As the MLS season approaches, the Great American Goalkeeper Shuffle continues!

  • Nick Rimando made a big save in the US/Korea game (see cover gif) and then collected some low crosses. I think everyone feels confident with him as our third goalkeeper.
  • I analyzed Tim Howard's play in Liverpool's dismantlement of Everton. Thanks again to the Everton defense for giving me such a great opportunity.
  • Later in the week Everton picked up the W by defeating Aston Villa in the Great American Goalkeeper Battle. Both keepers were scored on 1v1s as well as a stellar free kick.
  • I really loved this article that shows us why save percentage isn't a good enough metric for goalkeepers. It leaves us a little short of what is the next step to replace that stat (coughGSARcough) but it was still well-written for goalkeeping fanatics and beginners alike. Here are some more goalkeeping stat-driven articles:
  • Brian Holt is likely to get picked up by Philly. I had Holt at 71st in my Top 100 American Goalkeepers and I'll let you take that as you will. Soccer America optimistically wrote about him but.. come on... Philly just selected a goalkeeper with their number one pick.
  • MLS wrote about Brad Knighton entering New England as he'll battle Bobby Shuttleworth for the starting spot. I think NE starts Knighton but I don't think either will sink the team in 2014.
  • DC United called in Tampa Bay Rowdies goalkeeper Diego Restrepo but Restrepo was unable to make it. If DC was looking to bring in another goalkeeper that could imply that one is about to leave... Or it could mean nothing at all.
  • US Soccer continued their "Opportunity Knocks" vids with one on 6'6" goalkeeper Christian Herrera. Meet Christian here, where he says he doesn't want to go to college :(
  • UNC alum Scott Goodwin blooped back on the radar by signing with the Carolina RailHawks. Akira Fitzgerald, while undersized, did well in goal last season so I think Goodwin sits the bench for a while.
  • Rapids goalie Matt Pickens is looking like he's on the way out but to where? Chivas are still short three and Vancouver is pretty thin.
  • Joe Nasco (Atlanta Silverbacks) and John Berner (recent draftee) split some time for Colorado in their preseason match against Houston. Deric and Lisch protected the goal for the Dynamo.
  • Spencer Richey, college standout, is recovering well.
  • Highlight video of the US U20s playing Uruguay in the U20 World Cup. Brian Perk is in goal. He now is third string for the Galaxy but is still relatively young.
  • Sammy Badr is trying out with OKC Energy as they are looking for more than one player at the moment. Their season starts within two months.
  • Rimando, Johnson, and Hamid took some shots before the game.
  • Oka Nikolov signed in with Fort Lauderdale after being released by the Union.
  • Big Soccer links of pandemonium:
  • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is now on Netflix. I know that has nothing to do with soccer but it's a great flick.
  • And lastly the photo carousel, including Italy's goalkeeping uniform for the World Cup (it looks like it was made specifically for Buffon) and the autographs from when I nervously approached Eric Wynalda and Grant Wahl this past week.

Top 100 American Goalkeepers (February 2014)

This month I'm directing all attention towards Kevin Silva. He's young (just recently turned 16), but I was very impressed with his performance against Portugal in the Nike Friendlies.

Now I don't want to go all Justin Rodriguez on the kid but I do want to be able to say "I said it first!" He has the confidence in the back that you want from a veteran goalkeeper and he's half the age. What a deal! I spoke with Silva earlier this month and will have an interview up soon. But for now...

Top 100 American Goalkeepers

1. Tim Howard - 78 (34.9)
2. Brad Guzan - 77.9 (29.4)
3. Brad Friedel - 76 (42.8)
4. Nick Rimando - 73 (34.7)
5. Steve Clark - 71.7 (27.8)
6. Troy Perkins - 71.3 (32.6)
7. Joseph Bendik - 71.1 (24.8)
8. Tally Hall - 70.2 (28.8)
9. Clint Irwin - 70.2 (24.8)
10. Andy Gruenebaum - 70.1 (32.2)

11. Brian Rowe - 69.8 (25.3)
12. Dan Kennedy - 69.7 (31.6)
12. Luis Robles - 69.7 (29.8)
14. William Yarbrough - 69.7 (24.9)
15. Chris Seitz - 69.6 (26.9)
16. Matt Pickens - 69.5 (31.8)
17. Jon Busch - 69.1 (37.5)
18. Sean Johnson - 69 (24.8)
19. Tyler Deric - 68.9 (25.5)
20. Marcus Hahnemann - 68.8 (41.6)

21. Stefan Frei - 68.8 (27.8)
22. Bobby Shuttleworth - 68.7 (26.8)
23. Evan Bush - 68.4 (27.9)
24. Brian Perk - 68.4 (24.6)
25. Andrew Dykstra - 68.4 (28.1)
26. Joe Willis - 68.4 (25.5)
27. David Bingham - 68.3 (24.3)
28. Joe Cannon - 68.3 (39.1)
29. Bill Hamid - 68.2 (23.3)
30. Tim Melia - 68.1 (26.9)

31. Andrew Weber - 68 (30.5)
31. Chris Konopka - 68 (28.8)
31. David Yelldell - 68 (33.1)
31. Eric Kronberg - 68 (30.6)
35. Matt Pyzdrowski - 67.9 (27.5)
36. Quentin Westberg - 67.8 (27.8)
37. Alex Horwath - 67.8 (26.9)
38. Brad Knighton - 67.7 (29)
39. Jeff Attinella - 67.5 (25.4)
40. Zac MacMath - 67.5 (22.5)

41. Matt Van Oekel - 67.4 (27.4)
42. Diego Restrepo - 67.3 (26)
43. Caleb Patterson-Sewell - 67.2 (26.8)
44. Matthew Williams - 67.2 (26.3)
45. Doug Herrick - 67.2 (24.7)
46. Ryan Meara - 67.1 (23.3)
47. Kyle Reynish - 67 (30.3)
47. Joe Nasco - 67 (29.7)
49. Patrick McLain - 66.8 (25.5)
50. Matt Lampson - 66.7 (24.4)

51. Josh Ford - 66.7 (26.3)
52. Alec Kann - 66.7 (23.5)
53. Steward Ceus - 66.6 (26.9)
54. Akira Fitzgerald - 66.5 (26.6)
55. Josh Wicks - 66.5 (30.3)
55. Nick Noble - 66.5 (29.4)
55. Lance Parker - 66.5 (28.5)
58. Luis Soffner - 66.5 (24.1)
59. Jimmy Maurer - 66.3 (26.3)
60. Josh Saunders - 66.3 (32.9)

61. Carl Woszczynski - 66.3 (25.8)
62. Bryan Meredith - 66.1 (24.5)
63. Hunter Gilstrap - 66.1 (30.8)
64. Phil Tuttle - 66 (26.3)
65. Chase Harrison - 65.9 (29.8)
66. Mitch Hildebrandt - 65.8 (25.3)
67. Evan Newton - 65.8 (25.8)
68. Daniel Withrow - 65.8 (23.8)
69. Gregory Blum - 65.8 (24.8)
70. David Martin - 65.8 (26)

71. Brian Holt - 65.7 (25.3)
72. Jeremy Vuolo - 65.6 (26.4)
73. Brandon Miller - 65.5 (24.2)
74. Patrick Lane - 65.5 (25.5)
75. Aaron Perez - 65.5 (27.5)
76. Steve Gonzalez - 65.4 (33.2)
77. Brad Stuver - 65.3 (22.8)
78. Sheldon Parkinson - 65.3 (23.5)
79. Sean Kelley - 65.2 (25.8)
80. Charles Sanders - 65.2 (24.3)

81. Ryan Taylor - 65.2 (23.7)
82. Andrew Fontein - 65.1 (23.9)
83. Matt Glaeser - 65 (28.8)
84. Austin Guerrero - 64.9 (24.9)
85. Cody Laurendi - 64.9 (25.5)
86. Pat Hannigan - 64.9 (31.3)
87. Kyle Zobeck - 64.9 (24)
88. Brock Duckworth - 64.8 (24.8)
89. Corey Whisenhunt - 64.8 (25.8)
90. Kevin Piedrahita - 64.6 (22.7)

91. David Meves - 64.6 (24.6)
92. Sanel Boric - 64.6 (26.6)
93. Tom Al Madon - 64.5 (29.3)
94. Alex Bono - 64.4 (22.8)
95. Kevin Klasila - 64.4 (23.8)
96. Scott Angevine - 64.3 (24.8)
97. Peter McKeown - 64.3 (24.3)
98. Zac Lubin - 64.2 (24.5)
99. Oliver Blum - 64 (24.2)
100. Jeremy Crumpton - 63.9 (23.5)

Some notes

  • We see the rise of William Yarabarough out of Mexico in 2014. He's a dual-citizen so if US wants him they may need to act quick after this World Cup cycle.
  • Clint Irwin cracks the top ten. Congratulations, Mr. Irwin.
  • Both Gruenebaum and Hanhemann are above their team's starters... for now. Call it support on my end.
  • Some college goalies went undrafted this past year but they have plenty of options still. There are lower leagues and Europe is still an option. Scott Goodwin returned to the states after a year abroad despite not getting drafted in 2012.
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Tim Howard vs. Liverpool

I was recently asked what the biggest mistake a young goalkeeper typically commits. Of course there are several bad habits young goalkeepers form in the mid-teen years. Then there is the confidence issue where they are afraid to come off their line or communicate to their team. But I think the biggest one is listening to the wrong people who cannot identify a good save or a bad mistake. Too often a goalkeeper is let off the hook on a goal because it was a "great shot" or it was hit with power when in reality had he been in position or set in time he would have handled it with ease. Hearing these faux compliments builds up a false reality of what a goalkeeper is responsible for.

A common situation that goalkeepers almost always have no responsibility to saving the shot is a 1v1 scenario. People routinely put these on par with penalty kick situations in that if they make the save it was glorious but if they are scored on we usually hear "There's nothing (name) can do on that one!" This is inaccurate. There are several things a goalkeeper can do to make the shooter miss the shot without even touching the ball. This brings us to yesterday's Liverpool-Everton match, where Liverpool won 4-0 (despite only having 39% possession). Howard had a busy day with one goal coming from a corner, three 1v1s, and fouled a shooter in the box for a penalty kick. (The subsequent kick was shot over the crossbar and every American dad yelled "three points!"). Let's take a look at these five situations to see if Howard could he have done better.

 

Early on, Howard has already made a couple of saves and Liverpool is really looking lively. In the twenty-first minute, a corner kick is sent in and is powered home by Steven Gerrard. (Some might remember Gerrard scoring the lone goal for England in the 1-1 tie in 2010, which Howard was also in goal for.)

 

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You can see the small shuffles Howard takes towards the near post. This is good. As the shot is taken, Howard remembers he has a teammate covering the front post and doesn't make the dive, hoping the postman will send it back out. Unfortunately his teammate isn't set in time for the quick redirection.

 

 

Ball already half way to goal and postman is still in air, making his body frozen in its place and only able to barely move his head over. If he is already planted, he can slide his body behind the shot better.

Ball already half way to goal and postman is still in air, making his body frozen in its place and only able to barely move his head over. If he is already planted, he can slide his body behind the shot better.

Verdict: Not guilty. It's a close range shot and even if Howard dives for it through his teammate he most likely wouldn't get there in time. Although his wide stance doesn't give a lot of confidence that he's ready to dive. It looks more like he's stuck in the ground. Watch as his feet slowly separate throughout the gif.

Liverpool continue to press and Howard is faced with his first 1v1 at the 33 minute mark.

 

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Obviously this is not an ideal situation but Howard does not help himself.

 

His arms are too straight, too far back, and too far above his thighs. His feet are too far apart and as you see on the last frame the ball is not all that far from his body.

Verdict: Could have saved it. If he brings his arms in and doesn't try to save a shot that's head-height with his feet he can deflect that wide.

Not three minutes later Liverpool adds on the hurt with the goal of the day.

 

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The gif might be too blurry to see but the ball actually bounces behind Sturridge. Howard must do a better job of reading the flight of the ball (watch how much he has to bend his run atop the 18). The ball is trailing away from Sturridge and a defender is closing down the area quickly. If Howard drops back, he forces Sturridge to beat him with an even better goal, not simply chip him for an easy one. Or perhaps consider had Sturridge not shot it and laid it off in the middle of the field for Suarez (?). Howard would be toast.

 

Verdict: Should have stayed home. The ball is too far from goal with his team dropping back. If Howard pulls back, Sturridge has to either beat someone on the dribble, pull off an even better shot, or try to look for help from another teammate. All of which sound better than rushing out of the 18.

Five minutes after the break Suarez catches Everton on another 1v1.

 

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Howard's hands are closer to his body here but they're not intended to make a save. Howard is still clearly looking to make a skate save, even if the shot is too far from his feet.

 

Verdict: Could have done better. I'm not saying he should have saved it because this is a tough shot to get down for but he isn't helping himself by only trying to save with his feet. His left hand could drop to make that save. A tough save, yes. Impossible? Far from it.

It's now 4-0 and again Liverpool is pressing forward. In the fifty-fourth minute Sturridge is eyeing a hat trick. He slips past the holey Everton back four and Howard comes screaming out.

 

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The foul looks bad but on second viewing Howard makes minimal contact.

 

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Howard maybe clips Sturridge's left foot as he leaps over Howard but that's about it. Howard actually makes a concerted effort to not accidentally hit him. Doesn't matter. Howard has completely impeded Sturridge from making another touch and a penalty kick is rightly awarded.

 

Verdict: Guilty again. Howard does not need to come out for a tackle here. Sturridge is going to beat Howard to the ball by some distance so Howard must stay on his feet. If Howard stays up and makes himself as big as possible without any gaps in his form he likely makes the save. Instead he overcommits and almost gives up a fifth goal. ("Field goal!")

A goalkeeper must not be one-dimensional in his approach. There is moderation in everything. He can not always collect a cross; he can not always sit back on the line; he can not make every save but he can not make it easier for the shooter.

Featured photo belongs to Sports Mole, seen here: http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/result/result-liverpool-cruise-to-merseyside-derby-win_133569.html

Everybody Soccered - Week 4

I finished a ten, maybe twelve, hour project where I studied all the goals a certain goalkeeper conceded in the past two years. It was intriguing but exhausting and hurt my heart. I ended up watching the same goalkeeper get scored on around 200 times (I had to rewatch the video multiple times to analyze critique).

What kind of a goalkeeper is the one who is not tormented by the goal he has allowed? He must be tormented! And if he is calm, that means the end. No matter what he had in the past, he has no future." —Lev Yashin

my page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Goalkeeper-Torwart-Gardien-Portiere-Golman/442637122446703

Yashin is widely viewed as the best goalkeeper ever but then again some of the same people still rate Casillas very high so what do they know. Anyway, here are your quasi-relevant American goalkeeping links.

  • Rimando, Johnson, and Hamid are the final three goalkeepers for the friendly against South Korea, this Saturday. Tally Hall did not make the cut and was sent back. I expect to see Rimando start but Johnson could get a half.
  • EPL released their weekly Top Saves of the Week this week. The final one (a triple save) is glorious.
  • Howler did double duty on releasing goalkeeping tidbits this week. The first was a podcast with retired goalkeeper and writer Justin Bryant discussing playing in a "haze". (Bryant also wrote a great book, "Small Time", a high recommend for goalkeeping readers.) The second was a long post from Benjamin Healy entitled, "Fourteen Ways of Looking at a Goalkeeper" The last of the fourteen points one scared me.
  • To literally no surprise at all, Carlo Cudicini will not be returning with LA Galaxy next season. The real question is who will be starting in 2015?
  • John McCarthy was invited to the Sounders' pre-season. Everyone at Everybody Soccer is rooting for him! Best of luck, John.
  • Big D Soccer couldn't find a better picture of Mexican goalkeeper Richard Sanchez.
  • NASL and USL Pro combines occurred the past weekend. Both sides invited several goalkeepers. (Special thanks to Steven Torres for giving me the list of names.)
    • NASL

      • Frederico Bertele - GK - Milano, Italy  - Coastal Carolina Univ.

      • Jose Manuel Boudy - GK - Varadero, Cuba  - Orange County Pateadores/NPSL 

      • Cesar  Castillo - GK - Mexico City, Mexico - Sac. State  

      • Jake  Feener - GK - Rocklin, Calif. - Seattle University   

      • Larry  Jackson - GK - E. Palo Alto, Calif. - Santa Clara University

      • Marco  Jorgensen - GK - Copenhagen, Denmark - LIU-Post  

      • Michal  Misiewicz - GK - Athens, Greece - Blyth Spartans AFC/ENG  

      • Phil  Saunders - GK - Perry Hall, Md. - UMBC   

      • Bradley Sienkiewicz - GK - Fairfax, Va - North Florida   

      • Andreas  Silva - GK - Santa Clara, Calif. - U/Redlands   

      • Omar  Zeeni - GK - Arcadia, Calif. - UC Davis

    • USL Pro

      • Scott Angevine - United States - Coastal Carolina, Des Moines Menace

      • Brian Billings - United States - Bradley, Ocean City Nor’easters

      • Bryce Boyd - United States - Wisconsin-­Milwaukee

      • Michael D’Arrigo - United States - San Diego, FC Tucson

      • Jonathan Dawson - United States - Butler, Jersey Express

      • Roberto de la Vina - Spain - Erskine College

      • Jason Dodson - United States - Stanford

      • Sean Lewis - United States - Oakland, Panama City Beach Pirates

      • John McCarthy - United States - LaSalle, Reading United AC

      • Robert Mueller - United States - Montevallo, Austin Aztex U-­23

      • Stephen Paterson - Canada - Western Illinois, Thunder Bay Chill

  • ESPN hints that Hugo Lloris is hinting at an exit from Tottenham. If only we could get Friedel back in America...
  • Just Keepers also had a confusing article titled, "Guzan in home Villa form vow".
  • Richie Williams and the u-seventeens won the Aegen Cup. William Pulisic played three of the four games, including the final against Turkey. Highlight of the tournament for Pulisic was probably his penalty save against France in the opening game (here, at 1:53). He received the tournament's Golden Glove.
  • Perez and the u-eighteens will take JT Marcinkowsi and Christian Herrera for their upcoming tournament, which Spain has won seven years straight. (Herrera is 6'6" ???)
  • Alex Budnik and Hunter Pinho will travel to Italy as the two goalkeepers for the id2 team in late February-early March. I can't find too much on these youngsters but id2 has done great things in the past so I just wanted to get their names here first!
  • Clint Irwin wrote on emotional outbursts, giving an inside look on professionalism and being "classy". Later he spiked in a game of soccer tennis.
  • A post from Prozone from back in June 2012 on penalty kick tendencies. It might be a good read before the WC kicks off this summer.
  • The weekly Big Soccer links:
  • Steven Goff tweeted that MLS two time Goalkeeper of the Year Zach Thornton is among finalists for head coaching job at his alma mater, Loyola U (Md.). He is currently the Villanova assistant.
  • Outgoing MLS keeper, Michael Gspurning, signed in Greece. Best of luck to Michael overseas.
  • Goalkeeper scolded for falling out of tree trying to save cat. ("Haha" - Bill Vegas)
  • A $100,000 catch.
  • Zidane's son is a goalkeeper. (Zidane was a soccer player, from what I can find.)
  • Here are some pictures I thought were cool. Some (most) have nothing to do with soccer.