24 Goalkeepers Under 24: USMNT Prospects

cover photo belongs to Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

MLS released their popular 24 Under 24 list last month. Throughout all the buzz, it has received some backlash due to twenty-four not really being an age for field players to be considered "young". On the other hand, goalkeepers are commonly known for budding late and playing longer than the average field player. This could explain why, out of the 75 player shortlist, there was only one goalkeeper named (Brian Sylvestre). Kempin, MacMath, and McCarthy were all excluded from making the nominee list and even Sylvestre didn't make the cut for the final 24. I realize there are only so many goalkeepers that are even under 24 years old in the league, but it's still odd that out of six teams worth of players only one would actually be in goal. Nonetheless make no mistake there are 24 great goalkeepers under 24 years old, just most of them aren't playing in MLS.

This is essentially an updated version of the prospect list I published back in August but now we're including goalkeepers that are in the top 100, which I did not do last time. Of the 24, they're weighted by both current ability and potential. You'll notice that players like Zack Steffen are technically rated higher than his peers like Lyon and DiMaggio in this list, even though Steffen isn't in the top 100 while Lyon and DiMaggio are, which is based off of purely current ability. (Steffen still has some room to grow to be in the top 100 current goalkeepers, which I wrote briefly about here.)

USMNT Goalkeeper Prospects

1. Ethan Horvath (Molde FK / Norway.1) 20.3
2. Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City / USA.1) 22.5
3. Brian Sylvestre (Philadelphia Union / USA.1) 22.8
4. John McCarthy (Philadelphia Union / USA.1) 23.3
5. Alex Bono (Toronto FC II / USA.3) 21.5
6. Adam Grinwis (Rochester Rhinos / USA.3) 23.5

Horvath is on pace to be the next great USMNT goalkeeper. He's a great example of what sound mechanics will do for you. He's always set in time, with an even stance, and knows when to be patient and will to push. Kempin has come on slow in Kansas City but it'll be interesting to see what happens next season as the time has come for him to start. Sylvestre and McCarthy had their up and downs in Philly but given their respective ages they still have the opportunity to be either utilized or completely ruined by the Union, as the latter seems to be more common for Philadelphia's young goalkeepers. Bono really struggled for USL Toronto. It looked like he was overwhelmed at times, similar to MacMath's time in Philadelphia. If he can get back to what we know he can do, he'll grow. Grinwis was the backup in Rochester but has shown the ability to keep moving up.

7. Zack Steffen (SC Freiburg / Germany.1) 20.5
8. Charlie Lyon (Seattle Sounders II / USA.3) 23.5
9. Cody Cropper (MK Dons / England.2) 22.7
10. Zach Bennett (Michigan State / USA.N) 21.8
11. Paul Blanchette (Loyola Marymount / USA.N) 21.5
12. Devin Perales (Free Agent / None) 22.5

It's rare to see a goalkeeper start for the U20s and U23s in one cycle - I don't know if it's ever been done - but Steffen can get frozen at times when he has an opportunity to play up to expectations, which lands him at number seven here. Lyon had a tremendous season with USL Sounders, even making the bench for the MLS parent. Cropper is recovering from knee surgery but already earned starts with MK Dons. Bennett is expected to be drafted in January's SuperDraft while Blanchette could easily go unnoticed, which might actually work out better for him as he'll get to choose what USL or NASL club he'd like to work with. Perales had positive and negative moments with Austin Aztex but as they're not set to return for next season, Perales is free to roam.

13. Dom DiMaggio (Seacoast United Phantoms / USA.4) 23.7
14. Jeff Caldwell (Virginia / USA.N) 19.7
15. Eric Klenofsky (Monmouth / USA.N) 21.1
16. Austin Rogers (Kitsap / USA.4) 20.2
17. Jake Feener (Tulsa Roughnecks / USA.3) 23.5
18. Tyler Miller (Seattle Sounders II / USA.3) 22.6

DiMaggio excelled in the PDL last season and hopefully he can land somewhere else besides Director of Goalkeeping. Caldwell (sophomore) and Klenofsky (junior) are quietly becoming MLS prospects while peer Austin Rogers is plying his trade in Albania. Feener worked his way into the starting role in Tulsa. Miller has returned from Germany but only made one appearance with USL Sounders.

19. JT Marcinkowski (Georgetown / USA.N) 18.4
20. Spencer Richey (Vancouver Whitecaps II / USA.3) 23.4
21. Matt Bersano (Penn State / USA.N) 23.1
22. Justin Vom Steeg (UC Santa Barbara / USA.N) 18.5
23. Keith Cardona (Indy Eleven / USA.2) 22.9
24. Alexandros Tabakis (Panathinaikos / Greece.1) 22.8

Freshman Marcinkowski and Vom Steeg have played a large role in their school's RPI ratings, (11th and 16th). Richey, like Bono, had a streaky season in Vancouver. It didn't help that USL Whitecaps were near awful so hopefully Richey can reset in the offseason and come back with a clean slate. Bersano is doing well with his new school but they need a boost to get into the national tournament as they're below the line at the moment. Cardona worked his way into the starting role for Indy. Tabakis returns to Panathinaikos after his loan with VVV-Venlo ended.

Best of the Rest

I know, I know, you want to read comments about goalkeepers all day but we just don't have the time. Here are another 26 promising goalkeepers to round us out at a nice 50. Fifty Under Twenty-Four doesn't have quite the same ring to it so don't mind the math.

25. Alec Ferrell (Wake Forest / USA.N) 21.6
26. Andrew Wolverton (Los Angeles Galaxy / USA.1) 22.3
27. Jeff Gal (Lidköpings FK / Sweden.4) 22.5
28. Travis Worra (Richmond Kickers / USA.3) 22.5
29. Ashkan Khosravi (UC Riverside / USA.N) 21.8
30. Keegan Rogers (IFK Lammhult / Sweden.4) 22.4
31. Matt Cardone (San Antonio Scorpions / USA.2) 22.3
32. Arie Ammann (Penn State / USA.N) 19
33. Wade Hamilton (Cal Poly / USA.N) 21.1
34. Ben Lockler (Free Agent / None) 22.6
35. Luis Barraza (Marquette / USA.N) 18.9
36. Danny Rogers (Falkirk FC / Scotland.2) 21.6
37. David Greczek (Rutgers / USA.N) 21
38. Ben Willis (Gonzaga / USA.N) 19.8
39. Kyle Renfro (Harrisburg City Islanders / USA.3) 23.5
40. Brendan Moore (Fleetwood Town / England.3) 23.5
41. Zack Downes (Arizona United / USA.3) 22.5
42. Kamil Kaminski (Icon FC / USA.4) 21.9
43. Eric Osswald (Real Monarchs / USA.3) 23.9
44. Austin Aviza (Syracuse / USA.N) 18.7
45. Ricky Brown (Colgate / USA.N) 20.8
46. Kevin Silva (UCLA / USA.N) 17.8
47. Michael Breslin (UC Irvine / USA.N) 21.8
48. Grayson Rector (Belmont / USA.N) 21.2
49. Josh Cohen (OC Blues FC / USA.3) 23.2
50. Bobby Edwards (Saint Joseph's / USA.N) 19.8

35 Years of USYNT Goalkeepers: Stars Hide Inefficiencies

The US Olympic qualifying roster was released this past weekend and the notable omission is Jon Kempin, who topped my list back in June as the most likely goalie to make the team. Sporting Kansas City has taken their time with the youngster, giving him few starts over the past couple years, but there's no denying the talent. Last year he came off the bench with a resounding "hello" and just recently he posted this save for MLS SOTW contention. Needless to say, the lack of his name on the roster was odd to see, especially given the three that were chosen.

Zack Steffen / Photo: Icon Sportswire via AP Images

Zack Steffen / Photo: Icon Sportswire via AP Images

In November, the U23s will kick off their Olympic qualifying run with Zack Steffen, Ethan Horvath, and Charlie Horton. On paper, the choices seem fine and with the reputation that America has for producing goalkeepers, it's second nature to assume every goalkeeper associated with any USYNT will become a starter in MLS someday. However, it's interesting that the goalkeepers for the qualifying roster include three goalkeepers whose average age is under 21. For a U23 competition and a country renowned for their goalkeepers, are there no goalkeepers a few years older that were better options? Admittedly, there is some expectation for Horvath and Steffen to compete for the starting spot in 2022 but even still, a player playing up two years is not an easy task. A closer look makes the decisions a little less confounding.

Ethan Horvath / Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe

Ethan Horvath / Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe

Meet the Cast

Charlie Horton (left) training with Leeds

Charlie Horton (left) training with Leeds

Assumed starter Zack Steffen will be remembered for his penalty-saving-summer during his time with the U20s. Save after save, he pushed the US to the edge, where they lost in a shootout to eventual winner. That said, Steffen is not without his faults. Despite his physique, he has struggled in the air. (Even Steffen's previous backup, Santiago Castano, had his troubles with aerial service, which starts to become less of a player's issue and more of a coach's.) The opening goal against Myanmar in the U20 WC was less than ideal and recently, with SC Freiburg II, Steffen essentially gifts an own goal on a simple cross (watch the play at 10:25). Giving up nine goals in four games in fourth division Germany isn't quite what fans are expecting from for their U23 starter.

Moving to Ethan Horvath, there is good reason to be excited for the Colorado native, who has started in Europa League matches before turning twenty-one. It's easy to project that if he is this good now, then perhaps he could start for the USMNT in 2022, if not 2018. However, he's still under 25 career starts with the toughest opponent being... Croatia's Dinamo Zagreb? While he has the most first team experience of the three goalkeepers, patience is required for any heralding for a goalkeeper who will likely not even start during qualifying.

Last man in, Charlie Horton, has never had a professional start in his life and is easily the biggest head scratcher. His inclusion really begs the question, "Would he even be in the discussion if he wasn't playing overseas?" U23 Europe-based camps saw him, Tyler Miller, and Cody Cropper get time with the U23s but watching Horton play, he doesn't standout in any recognizable way over his peers. After already being dropped by an English club twice, he's shown determination by landing with Leeds this summer but the lack of playing time and quick club movements are worrying.

The issues range for the three goalkeepers but a bigger problem lies hidden with USYNT's approach to selecting goalkeepers.
 

All-Time USYNT Goalkeeper List

Looking back at previous USYNT goalkeepers, the track record gets a lot less exciting once we move past the centennial-capped goalkeepers. Sure, there's Howard, Keller, and Meola but after that the standout goalkeepers become sparse, if not completely unrecognizable.

(Since there's no extensive list, I searched for each USYNT goalkeeper over the course of a week. Please let me know of any errors or missing goalkeepers.)

Year - Name - Years Involved - Professional Appearances - Time with USMNT

Since 1980, only 379 of 556 caps (68%) for the senior team's goalkeepers have come from USYNT-raised goalkeepers. Obviously the stat is heavily dominated by Howard, Keller and Meola so it's no surprise that only nine of those thirty goalkeepers spent any amount of time with a youth team, while the other 21 goalkeepers had no experience at all. There are late bloomers and several reasons why a goalkeeper can arrive on the scene late. However, when less than a third of your senior goalkeepers went through your program specifically designed to get players to the national team, the youth program is clearly not doing its job.

Digging further, of all the goalkeepers that have spent time with a US youth team, a quarter of them never reached a topflight league. Another quarter are ending their professional career with less than 50 appearances, a low amount considering teams can easily play 20 games a season, even in the 80s. Half of the "best" youth goalkeepers the US has to offer are failing to become successful professionals when others are taking their positions from them later down the line.

If the U20 or U17s were to search out more quality goalkeepers, we would see a "rising tide" effect that pushes all players to a higher level. Each age group is only seeing about eight different goalkeepers each cycle, around four for each age year. After spending five years with the U17s and U20s, it would make sense to regularly bring in other top goalkeepers from around the country to push the group forward instead of letting complacency set in. As of right now, 70% of our senior goalkeepers are expected to develop outside of the USYNT. We know there are hidden gems and in 2015, finding them is at an all-time ease.

“As of right now, 70% of our senior goalkeepers are expected to develop outside of the USYNT. We know there are hidden gems and in 2015, finding them is at an all-time ease.”

To be fair to Andi Herzog, the coach for the U23s, he did call a camp for players on the fringe but somehow there was a feeling that it was more a formality instead of a chance to really look at some dark horses. The four goalkeepers called in, Wade Hamilton (Cal Poly), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cal), Kendall McIntosh (Santa Clara), and Andrew Tarbell (Clemson), are all respectable goalkeepers in their own right but multiple questions are raised when looking at the selections. Only Tarbell didn't have USYNT experience before the camp, which hits the point home again of just how exclusive the group is. There 200+ D1 men's soccer programs and there aren't any other goalkeepers without USYNT ties out there worth giving a shot? Additionally, none of the goalkeepers are over 21. Is the '93 group of goalkeepers really that weak? Moving down the list, Klinsmann's name is a shock to see. The connection to his father, a head coach of a nearby senior team, wouldn't raise some ethical concerns if Jonathan was at least starting for his university, which the eighteen year old is not. If there is a better goalkeeper out there, Senior Alex Mangels, surely it would make more sense to call him in instead. Lastly, for anyone who has followed Kendall McIntosh's career at Santa Clara, "mixed" would be an appropriate review for the goalkeeper who has largely relied on his physical strength rather than technique. But yet again, the USYNT badge has trumped merit. These are four good goalies but the selections made this exercise look more like a formality instead of a real test to see who could move up the depth chart.
 

No Intent to Change

After seeing the U23 American roster, an anonymous Canadian remarked, "I can only imagine the field day you'll have if one of them pulls a Sean Johnson." Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what any USYNT goalkeeper does. Regardless of the number of mistakes they commit, the youth national teams will pick familiarity over talent. Heck, I was able to write an entire paragraph of just listing blunders made by Cody Cropper and he was the expected U23 starter before he hurt his knee. (Here's another freebie that didn't make the list.) Cropper has shown improvement over the years and there is the expectation to become an established professional, but there is no need to let mediocrity be rewarded for the sake of consistency. Austin's Devin Perales has looked great for the Aztex and the college game has multiple goalkeepers that are worthy of honest looks, Zach Bennett (Michigan State), Paul Blanchette (Loyola Marymount), and Eric Klenofsky (Monmouth), to name a few.

There is always dirt on any goalkeeper to dig up. It's not impossible to go back and find a weak goal conceded or a poor stretch of games on any goalkeeper. The issue here is less about the quality of the current three goalkeepers on the Olympic roster and more about how the USYNT goalkeeper position is essentially an exclusive club that is incapable of giving outsiders a fair shake at cracking the roster. All three goalkeepers on the roster should become established professionals, which is the expectation that comes from being on a USYNT. However, USYNT's track record with goalkeepers is blown out of proportion and can be classified as "unsuccessful" in more than one way. Regularly giving a shot to other goalkeepers will either reveal hidden talent or make the current starters even better. Within a country that has been hounded for not spreading their talent search wider for thirty years now, the USYNT is still content with maintaining the status quo.

2015 Early Season Women's NCAA Goalkeeper Rankings

cover photo belongs to Charlie DeBoyace at The Diamondback

We had one for the gentlemen last month and now that the season has kicked off for the women, we have a little clearer picture of who slots where. Admittedly, not all of these goalkeepers were easy to find video on so some of them are rough estimates. Hopefully we can revisit at the end of the season with more accuracy.

Seniors

1. Rachelle Beanlands (Maryland) 22.3
2. Bryane Heaberlin (North Carolina) 21.8
3. Abby Smith (Texas) 21.9
4. Michelle Craft (San Diego) 21.3
5. Britt Eckerstrom (Penn State) 22.3
6. Brittany Brown (Florida Gulf Coast) 21.7
7. Kathryn Scheele (Colorado) 21.1
8. Madalyn Schiffel (San Francisco) 21.7
9. Alyssa Giannetti (Cal Poly) 20.9
10. Shauni Kerkhoff (Temple) 21.7

Top of the stack and Canadian youth international Rachelle Beanlands returns to Maryland after a strong 2014 season as a Player to Watch in the Big Ten. Abby Smith, who recently scored her third career goal for Texas, and Bryane Heaberlin have a very high chance of being drafted next NWSL draft, unless they pursue elsewhere overseas. Britt Eckerstrom was recently named the W-League goalkeeper of the year and Kathryn Scheele did well with the Sounders this summer.

 

Juniors

1. Jane Campbell (Stanford) 20.6
2. Sammy Jo Prudhomme (USC) 21.6
3. Lizzie Durack (Harvard) 21.3
4. Kailen Sheridan (Clemson) 20.2
5. Hannah Seabert (Pepperdine) 20.7
6. Holly Van Noord (Liberty) 21.1
7. Tarah Hobbs (Minnesota) 20.3
8. Morgan Stearns (Virginia) 20.7
9. Lindsey Harris (North Carolina) 21.8
10. Andi Tostanoski (Santa Clara) 21.1

Jane Campbell was put on the Hermann Trophy Preseason Watch List so it's safe to say we could tag her with "decent, at least". Sammy Jo Prudhomme sat out last year after transferring out of Oregon State but is now starting at USC. Lizzie Durack has already proved herself worthy with Everton and has been in the England YNT program. Holly Van Noord and Andi Tostanoski are frontrunners in the "most athletic" category. 

 

Sophomores

1. Megan Hinz (Michigan) 19.8
2. Nevena Stojokovic (Florida International) 20.5
3. Cassie Miller (Florida State) 20.4
4. Emily Boyd (California) 19.2
5. Laura Dougall (Buffalo) 19.2
6. Kaylyn Smith (Virginia Tech) 19.7
7. Erika Yohn (Purdue) 19.7
8. Lexi Nicholas (Notre Dame) 19.6
9. Lindsay Preston (Wake Forest) 19.5
10. Cassidy Babin (Massachusetts) 18.9

Megan Hinz bucks the trend of not playing for a USYNT. Regardless, Michigan will be relying on her heavily once again this year. Internationals Nevena Stojokovic (Serbia) and Laura Dougall (Canada) follow closely behind while Purdue starter Erika Yohn has already submitted her save for Save of the Year consideration.

 

Freshmen

1. Caroline Brockmeier (Florida State) 19.1
2. Amanda Poertner (Idaho) 18.8
3. Rose Chandler (Penn State) 19
4. Sarah Le Beau (Auburn) 19.7
5. Erin Scott (Creighton) 18.3
6. Kelsey Dossey (Missouri) 19.2
7. Alyssa Palacios (UTEP) 18.8
8. Julia Schneider (Massachusetts-Lowell) 19
9. Olivia Swenson (North Dakota) 18.7
10. Samantha Leshnak (North Carolina) 18.4

It's no surprise that North Carolina has multiple goalkeepers on this list. Samantha Leshnak, like Caroline Brockmeier and Rose Chandler, likely won't see much playing time with established veterans starting over them but keep an eye down the road for them. Some notable performances from the young bunch include Amanda Poertner versus Washington State and Erin Scott's outing against Central Michigan, which earned her Big East Rookie of the Week honors.

2015 NCAA Save of the Year

This year Everybody Soccer will be tracking the top saves from NCAA, focusing mostly on men's D-I but hopefully incorporating women's as well as lower D-II and D-III. At the end of the season, we'll have a big bracket for everyone to vote on the first official NCAA Save of the Year. If you have a suggestion, please get in touch by clicking the contact link in the black footer at the bottom of the page.

August 30th

While Purdue didn't pull out the win, Erika Yohn kept it close in overtime against Missouri with this dive admist the chaos.

Ohio State is thankful for recent transfer Chris Froschauer and his shot stopping ability, seen here against Binghamton at the 1:00 mark.

Tennessee's Julie Eckel holds a shot most goalkeepers would be thankful to tip away. Easier said than done.


August 28th

Oakland's Wes Mink gets back and up to tip the ball off the crossbar. Not your typical upper ninety save but important nonetheless.

Ideally we'd have a better camera angle on this redirection but it's what we have. Marco Velez saves South Carolina with this tricky ball.

Alyssa Giannetti makes two awkward but needed saves to keep Virginia from scoring against Cal Poly.

Can't have too many saves on one day. Andi Tostanoski makes a tough save look easy against Notre Dame.


August 27th

Michelle Craft and San Diego didn't pull out the win but she did chalk up this extension save for her resume.

 

August 23rd

Mimi Borkan keeps her head on a swivel with this double save against Massachusetts. Not the best quality but trust me they are two great saves.

Our first submission! William and Mary's Caroline Casey preserves the shutout with this fantastic save.


August 20th

Freshman Chase Therrien helps keep this shot out of the net for Incarnate Word.

August 15th

Lipscomb's Micah Bledsoe keeps Louisville to only one goal, with multiple big saves. You can catch most of the eight save performance here, including the one below.

August 14th

Senior goalkeeper Kyle Dal Santo gets up and away in an exhibition match against Xavier.


And here's a big ol' map of all the D-1 men's programs in NCAA. Click the drop down menu on the top left of the map to see all the conferences. You can see an enlarged version here.