Everybody Soccered - Week 7

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A! Although our curling could use some help...

• The biggest news was the finalization of Julio Cesar to Toronto. We knew this was coming for a couple of weeks but it was finally announced it is a loan and will return to QPR after the 2014 MLS season. Cesar says he wants to finish the loan, even after the World Cup. That sounds nice but his optimism to play for Canadian team may wane after the World Cup.
• Justin Bryant did an AMA on Reddit. Please read about "The Syndrome". Please help spread Goalkeeper Syndrome awareness.
• Today in 2006, Brad Guzan got his first cap for the US in a 4-0 win over Guatemala where he did absolutely nothing.
• Matt Pickens is applying his trade with Bob Bradley's Stabæk. Some almost-translated quotes from the article
  
  "It was nice to get some combat training again. League of the United States ended in October, and this was my first game since then," says Pickens stood the first 45 minutes before being replaced by Jonathan Rasheed.
  
  Bjorn Helge Riise scored Lille Current first by a dainty chip alone with Pickens, before former Quotes player Palmi Palmason headed the second just after.
   
• Vancouver finished their shuffle by signing ex-Chicago backup Paolo Tornaghi. It looks like Pat McLain was called in but ultimately not signed.
• Brian Perk may get some starts early in the season with Penedo and Rowe recovering from injuries. Perk was the starting goalkeeper for the US in the U20 2009 World Cup. If Perk does start, I can't imagine he keeps the job long. Surely Rowe or Penedo will become fit enough to bump Perk back down.
• The Timbers are loaning out New Zealand international Jake Gleeson to USL Pro side Sacramento. With six caps under his belt, the real question is "Which team is better between New Zealand and Sacramento Republic?"
• Of all the goalkeepers signing to the NCAA, these were the ones of note for me:
  Class of 2014
  • Hunter Harrison - Oregon St
  • Evan Louro - Michigan
  • Andrew Ferber - NC State
  • Craig Duggan - South Carolina
  • Jeff Caldwell - Virginia
  • Elliott Rubio - Akron
  • Marius Heislitz - NC State
  • Peter Tappenden - Colgate
  • Carter Richardson - Wake Forest
  • Shaun Quinn - American
  • Treston Kederer - San Francisco University
  • Logan Jones - William and Mary
  • Paul Christensen - Portland
  • Braeden Luna - Kentucky
• Class of 2015
  • Justin Vom Steeg - UCSB
  • Dakota Havlick - UCLA
  • Jacob Rooth - Creighton
  • Avery Miller - SMU
  • Jonathan Klinsmann - UC Berkeley
• Fourth string Kyle Zobeck could be out in Dallas.
• Big Soccer links
  • Discussion on David Yelldell resurfaced when he started making the bench recently.
  • Some comments on U17 goalkeepers going to NCAA and the logjam at Akron.
  • Zac Lubin is signing with a third tier team in Sweden. I thought this article writing as if Sweden's third tier is much higher than NPL was humorous.
  • " the Monroe doctrine has done more to safeguard South American independence than any thing South Americans have done for themselves"
• I'm excited to start my 2018 USMNT Stock project. You can see the 2014 monthly update by clicking the next tab.

Everybody Soccered - Week 6

I'm working on three interviews and a goalkeeping discussion between several pundits and MLS goalkeepers so forgive me for the lack of enthusiasm this week. I am a tad busy.

ANYWAY HERE ARE SOME GOALKEEPING LINKS:

• Brad Friedel talks managing. I really liked this quote, "I think that [lack of goalkeepers becoming managers] comes more from the fact that, many moons ago, people thought goalkeepers were crazy and they were sort of just set aside."
• Monday marked the fifteenth anniversary of Kasey Keller's ten save game that led to the only victory by the US against Brazil ever.
• Julio Cesar is visiting Toronto, supposedly. I'm not surprised by the move although I really wish Bendik would be given the net to tend. The biggest question is what will happen at the end of the season. Will Cesar play the entire year or just up until the World Cup? What about next year? Who starts then? Bendik is still young (24) so this might actually be good for his growth.
• It's been awhile since I've heard such an over the top statement like, "Despite a handful of call-ups, however, he hasn't quite gotten used to the perception that he might be the next Tim Howard or Brad Guzan." Ah yes, Mr. Hamid.
• There isn't much talk but there is some about the US entering the 2015 Pan American Games, a U22 event. If we did field a team I would expect Jon Kempin (SKC), Cody Cropper (Southampton), Tomas Gomez (Georgetown), Tyler Miller (Northwestern) to be in the running. Looks like Canada will be hosting the event.
• I don't think it's any secret how big of a Steve Clark fan I am but I was surprised to see Matt Lampson start over him in a preseason game. It doesn't mean everything but historically the first string takes the first 45 minutes and second string takes the back half.

• It's the off-season for college teams but Notre Dame's head coach Bobby Clark is still making headlines.
• Jurgen Klinsmann's son, Jonathan, has committed to UC Berkeley. Best of luck to him.
• EPL's weekly Top 5 Saves of the Week. Some very good saves this week (Lloris was my favorite.)
• Big Soccer links...
  • Some posters revisited forgotten (and unfortunately oft-injured) American goalkeepers Adin Brown and Johnny Walker. Brown and Walker were competing with Tim Howard early on and had they stayed healthy, the US goalkeeper pool could look much different today. There is an article here that covers Brown's history more in-depth.
  • Cultural debate on how much support US will get in Brazil. Some inane comments along the way but some good insight too.
  • Abraham Romero, U17 Mexican-American goalkeeper, is in camp with Mexico after spending much time with the USYNT.
  • USMNT World Cup snubs, including why Howard was left off the 2002 roster.
• A UNC womens goalkeeper decides to play abroad in Germany.
• Overall it was a slow week on goalkeeping news but Sepp Blatter's tweet was, thankfully, received with much outrage.
• And of course the best link for last: a bunch of Russian cops singing Get Lucky. MLS Cup halftime performance, anyone?

Cover picture belongs to The Columbian.

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:
  • EPL save percentage from certain areas of the field (Part 1, Part 2)
  • Another post on why we can't trust save percentage for goalkeepers.
  • A rating for goalkeepers although no math provided
• 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:
  • Official 2014 USA Men's Draft Picks
  • Alex Horwath training in Sweden
  • Haha
• 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.