The Future of the USMNT: The 15 Best U24 American Goalkeepers

cover photo from Stanford Athletics

After surveying the up-and-coming goalkeepers in the women’s game last month, we return to dive into the USMNT goalkeeping pool. Building off the previous scouting reports, the following goalkeepers are given a current and projected ranking, as well as evaluating the goalkeepers on the same nine categories. Although the limited ratings do not completely encompass the position, the brief survey and following paragraph for each goalkeeper is intended to give a decent foundation for new observers in understanding each goalkeeper’s approach to the position.

A 1-7 scale is used to gauge each goalkeeper. A “7” is a world-class level, a “4” is a low professional or high Division I collegiate goalkeeper, and a “1” is dreadful. Numbers in green are the current rankings for each goalkeeper, while the numbers in gold are projections of where they are expected to end up. Definitions for each category can be found at the bottom.

The 15 Best U24 American Goalkeepers

1. CJ dos Santos (Benfica) - 19

Scouting Report: CJ dos Santos embraces the Benfica spirit of playing a high line at all costs. Constantly active in the offensive build, dos Santos is also quick to snuff out through balls and breakaways. Although he can get a little over-reliant on using his speed to solve counters on goal, which can make him impatient with slow attacks in the final third, his ability to read the game and explosiveness help him cover more of the goal than goalkeepers who solely rely on their speed.

2. Rocco Rios Novo (Club Atletico Lanus) - 18

Scouting Report: The former U17 Argentine goalkeeper, Rocco Rios Novo, has a fair amount of parallels to Zack Steffen. Playing with an impressive amount of poise, Novo lets the game come to him and never looks overwhelmed with the odds aren’t in his favor. Novo was born in Los Angeles but he’s already played for Argentina’s U17 national team multiple times, including their ninth-place finish in the 2019 U17 World Cup, making his switch to the US very unlikely.

3. Andrew Thomas (Stanford University) - 21

Scouting Report: Andrew Thomas joined Stanford University after spending a year inside Watford FC’s youth academy. Thomas gained some notoriety after his penalty heroics against Seattle and Clemson in last year’s national tournament before looking a little out of sorts against Georgetown in the semifinal. Thomas’s issues will rarely ever be found in his prep work, possessing a fantastic eye for the play and an impeccable balance to respond to any situation, but his athleticism’s ceiling will likely dictate just how far his career can go.

4. Victor Vidal (Lleida Esportiu) - 20

Scouting Report: Victor Vidal instills many common traits of Spanish goalkeepers: high mobility and an eagerness to get involved with building out of the back. As of recent, Vidal has struggled with playing time, earning only spare minutes over the past couple of years. If Vidal can get a heavier commitment from a club, he could go from just another goalkeeper in Spain’s lower divisions to a top prospect for the USMNT.

5. Ethan Wady (Chelsea) - 18

Scouting Report: Ethan Wady clocks in at 6’4” and he looks every bit of it. Wady is at the bottom of a long depth chart, featuring youth internationals from Croatia, England, Finland, and Ivory Coast ahead of him. As for any goalkeeper blessed with height, cleaning up footwork to take advantage of his imposing frame. If Wady can make the tiny, micro-movements with ease, he should have a bright future ahead of him.

6. Brooks Thompson (Sporting Kansas City) - 18

Scouting Report: Brooks Thompson has long been rumored to be a top prospect within higher up goalkeeping circles. This season, Thompson played four of the first six matches for SKC II and has yet to look out of place. Thompson shows signs of a career beyond MLS but mobility and explosiveness don’t always come naturally for 6’4” goalkeepers. If SKC can continue to develop Thompson, they may be looking at a decent transfer fee sooner than later.

7. John Pulskamp (Sporting Kansas City) - 19

Scouting Report: John Pulskamp trialed with Bournemouth AFC in the summer of 2018 before returning stateside with Sporting Kansas City. Pulskamp’s 2019 campaign with SKC II wasn’t pretty - conceding 34 goals in 14 games and finishing dead last the goals saved above replacement - but the shelling didn’t seem to waver Pulskamp’s confidence. Building off a strong resolve will carry any goalkeeper far but now Pulskamp must increase his “bubble” in terms of how much of the goal he can cover if he’s wanting to make a run as an MLS starter.

8. Chituru Odunze (Leicester City) - 17

Scouting Report: Chituru Odunze broke onto the scene last year by signing for Leicester City and taking over the number one spot at the 2019 U17 World Cup. Odunze’s size is hard to overlook but there are many questions surrounding his non-shot stopping attributes. Striking a ball seems a bit of a chore for Odunze and handling crosses isn’t his specialty, despite the size. Leicester City should be an ideal environment for Odunze to round out his game but he has some work ahead of him.

9. Damian Las (Fulham) - 18

Scouting Report: Damian Las left the Chicago Fire for Fulham last fall and was regularly featured with Fulham’s U18s right up until the break for COVID-19. Las has a good eye for the play and never backs down from a challenge but speed of play has been a thorn in the 18-year-old’s side. Las has all the tools to be successful but the last checkbox is finding the rhythm of the game’s demands and responding to them in correct time.

10. Luca Lewis (Torino) - 19

Scouting Report: Luca Lewis has spent time with the US U20s and had some notable backing from Torino over the past two years, getting plenty of playing time with the Italian club’s youth teams. While Lewis isn’t error-prone, he has a knack for the dramatics and making chances on goal seem more complicated than need be. Lewis’ ceiling will follow his ability to make more of the game look manageable and instilling some calmness in handling what the opposition has to offer.

11. Evan Louro (Tampa Bay Rowdies) - 24

Scouting Report: New York Red Bulls fans should be familiar with Louro, who joined the Red Bulls academy in 2008. For close to a decade, many assumed Louro would be the answer for the post-Robles era but instead the Michigan alum is making waves for himself in Tampa. Louro has the unique ability of possessing a game-changing save but the consistency of executing it is still in question. Louro was number one in goals saved above replacement in USL action last year so his time until he arrives in MLS is less a matter of “if” but “when”.

12. Nicholas Defreitas-Hansen (Everton) - 19

Scouting Report: Nicholas Defreitas-Hansen is easily the most rounded out goalkeeper in the crop and his projection follows suit. There are pros and cons to being so even across the board, but perhaps the most concerning aspect is going under the radar without having any standout quality. On the other hand, some managers want a goalkeeper who can cover every aspect of the game. Defreitas-Hansen’s future is only made cloudier by the fact that he’s represented both the US’s and Denmark’s youth national teams.

13. JT Marcinkowski (San Jose Earthquakes) - 23

Scouting Report: JT Marcinkowski has played at virtually every level for the USYNTs but his time since leaving Georgetown University has been a tumultuous one. Marcinkowski is extremely quick and handles crosses well (a rare trait for a USYNT goalkeeper) but seems to get tied up on atypical situations. Too often it feels like Marcinkowski is getting beat by goals that aren’t outright howlers but are ones he’s more than capable of saving. Marcinkowski looks clean from shots atop the 18 but outside of that it’s a gray area.

14. Justin Vom Steeg (Los Angeles Galaxy) - 23

Scouting Report: Justin Vom Steeg is at a point where he’s due for more responsibility. At 23, if Vom Steeg has any aspirations for playing beyond MLS, he doesn’t need to be playing against teenagers anymore. Vom Steeg is another goalkeeper with all the tools but his decision making can be spotty at times. If Vom Steeg can find a good balance between timid and tense and continue to push his ceiling, he should be able to make a run at an MLS starting spot.

15. Jonathan Klinsmann (Free Agent) - 23

Scouting Report: At the start of the month, it was quietly announced that Jonathan Klinsmann would not be returning to his Swiss club, St. Gallen. Klinsmann’s career has felt like one step forward, one step backward and this exit doesn’t help Klinsmann’s momentum. Klinsmann’s next step will be an interesting one but his chances at getting to an MLS-equivalent level seem to be closing quickly.

Technical

• Footwork, Angle Play – Efficiency in micro-adjustments, balance, and angles taken vs. shooter

• Hands – The goalkeeper’s ability to hold shots, prevent easy rebounds, and drop crosses

• Distribution – Success with distribution from throws, balls from ground, and punts

Athleticism

• Post-to-Post time – Acceleration speed for goalkeepers’ forward and lateral (post-to-post) movement

• Explosiveness – A goalkeeper’s ability to cover the goal width as well as reaction speed. A good “shot-stopper” will have high explosiveness and footwork ratings

• Breakaways –  Success in 1v1 situations and generally handling through balls

Tactical

• Crossing – Comfortability with incoming aerial service on crosses, free kicks, and corners

• Improvisation – A goalkeeper’s success can solve an unfamiliar situation.

• Consistency – How often a goalkeeper is playing to their top ability. Inversely it takes into account how often a goalkeeper gives up a soft goal. A “clutch” goalkeeper will have a high consistency rating as well.

Women's Goalkeeper Hall of Fame Bios (2010-2019)

To see the full list of goalkeepers in the Hall of Fame or read more about Weighted Cap Totals (WCT), click here.

2010 - Bente Nordby (Norway, 172 caps / 159 WCT) - Bente Nordby was Norway’s national team goalkeeper from 1991 to 2007 and retired with the most caps as a goalkeeper in the world (although she would later be surpassed). At 17 years old, Nordby debuted with the national team in a 1-0 shutout against the US. Nordby would eventually take over the starting spot from Reidun Seth by 1995, where Nordby led Norway to winning their first and only World Cup win, topping the US 1-0 in the semifinal and Germany 2-0 in the final. The following year, Norway finished third at the 1996 Olympics but rebounded in 2000 to win gold. Despite 2000 being the last major trophy for Norway, the Grasshoppers would finish in the top four at the Euro three times with Nordby (1995, 2001, 2005) and twice at the World Cup (1999, 2007) after winning in 1995.

Away from the international stage, Nordby spent time in four countries during her club career. Starting early in Norway, where she won a league trophy with Sprint-Jeløy in 1993, she was the first pick in the 2000 WUSA Foreign Player Allocation, where she played for the Carolina Courage, before being traded for the San Diego Spirit. After a lackluster time in the WUSA (only 14 starts before being released due to San Diego not willing to take on her salary), Nordby rebounded with another Norwegian league trophy in 2002 and reached the Champions League quarterfinals with Kolbotn. Nordby spent 2006-07 with Swedish club Djurgården/Älvsjö and, despite finishing runner up both years, was named the league’s top goalkeeper in 2007. Nordby spent her last two years as a professional with Olympique Lyon, where she made Champions League semifinal runs both times.

Perhaps one of the succinct ways to sum up her career was how she won “player of the match” in a 1-0 loss against the US in the 2003 World Cup quarterfinal match. In both her international and club career, Nordby elevated her team to put them in a position to compete. At the highest level, Nordby conceded only 23 goals over 22 World Cup matches.

ERIC RISBERG, ASSOCIATED PRESS

2011 - Briana Scurry (USA, 175 caps / 125 WCT) - Scurry’s fame is typically centered on her 1999 World Cup heroics but in every stop of her career she excelled above her peers. In 1989, she entered the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a heralded prospect, just previously being named as a High School All-American and Minnesota’s top female athlete in the state. Scurry would go on to once again win All-American honors, this time at the collegiate level, during her senior year. The 1993 Final Four run with UMass helped put Scurry in the national team picture due to her performance in a loss against eventual winners the University of North Carolina. At UNC head coach Anson Dorrance’s recommendation, Scurry was brought into the national team in 1993 and stayed with the program until 2008. Scurry helped the national team capture two gold medals (1996, 2004) and a first-place finish at the 1999 World Cup, the latter of which she was named as the best goalkeeper in the tournament. Although her penalty save in the final is what most remember from the 1999 World Cup, her stellar performance in the semifinal match against Brazil and three goals conceded in six matches marked her as the best in the world.

Scurry’s time on the club scene was limited, due to a lack of a stable domestic league in the US. Scurry played for the Atlanta Beat in the WUSA for all three years of its existence, before the league folded, earning the 2003 WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year award. In 2009, Scurry played for the Washington Freedom in their inaugural season with the WPS until a concussion ended her playing career, early into the 2010 season.

Frequently cited as not only the best goalkeeper of her era but as one of the greatest of all-time, Scurry was a perennial winner with an unmatched will to win. Her 15 years of accomplishments with one of the greatest teams in women’s soccer history is a standard for any goalkeeper who wishes to be called “one of the greatest”.

2012 - Sandrine Roux (France, 70 caps / 127 WCT) - Roux was a goalkeeper for the French national team for 18 years, stretching over three decades with the Blues. Roux grew up playing on boys teams while hiding her hair in a cap, as it was frowned upon for young women to be playing football at the time. At 16, Roux became the starting goalkeeper for VGA Saint-Maur, where she led the club to win the league in her first season with the cub (1983). VGA Saint-Maur continued their dominance over an eight-year span, winning the league six times from 1983-1990. Although Roux stayed with the club throughout 1999, assisting in having one of the lowest goals conceded tallies each year, VGA struggled to put the ball in the back of the opponent’s net and consistently finished mid-table until relegation in 1998. For her final two years of her professional carer, Roux moved to FC Lyon, where she finished third in 2000.

Roux was first featured for the national team in 1984, a few days before she turned 17 years old. Roux went on to be a part of France’s 1988 Mundalito squad, as well as Euro qualifying campaigns in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997. Roux was named captain in the last Euro run, 1997, which also marked the first time France qualified for the final eight, narrowly missing out on the knockout round due to goal differential. In 1999, France fell short in World Cup qualifying, earning some tough points against Italy and Finland before being knocked out.

2013 - Caroline Jönsson (Sweden, 80 caps / 72 WCT) - Born in 1977, Jönsson came up through the Sövestads IF and Veberöds AIF academies before moving to Malmö FF Dam (now known as FC Rosengård). She began her career on an amateur contract, while also attending school and working in a grocery store. The goalkeeper spent 13 years at the club, making 222 appearances. Her tenure featured seven runners-up finishes in the Damallsvenskan and the triumphant claiming of the 1997 Svenska Cupen. 

After departing Malmö, the Chicago Red Stars of the now-defunct Women’s Professional Soccer selected her in the 2008 WPS International Draft. Jönsson played every minute during the 2009 season, leading the league in saves. Despite the organization exercising her contract option, she returned to Sweden and signed with two-time UEFA Champions League winners Umeå IK. Her veteran role on a young and developing squad helped to stabilize the former super-club suffering from reported financial turmoil. After a fourteen-year career and lingering injuries, the then-35-year-old retired in 2013.

At the international level, Jönsson made 80 appearances for the Swedish national team after debuting in 1999, earning multiple “Goalkeeper of the Year” (2003, 2006) accolades. She was on the squad for three editions of the Olympic Games (2000-08), making the final competition after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear. With the Lund native in goal, Blågult (The Blue and Yellow) finished runners-up at the 2001 UEFA Women’s Championship and 2003 Women’s World Cup.

With Sweden’s emphasis on a specific tactical approach, Jönsson focused on structuring the back-line and squad’s overall cohesion, adopting a less aggressive nature that emboldened defenders to take on more responsibilities. The strongest parts of her game were controlling the box and possession, befitting the methodical decision-making that defined her career, and continued work in the sport. Following her retirement, Jönsson serves on the board of FIFPRO, the international players’ union. She is working to achieve the best for the sport, preserving competitive integrity and ensuring long-term quality.

2014 - Carla Brunozzi (Italy, 55 caps / 66 WCT) - Brunozzi’s professional career started in 1993 with Lazio before making stops at Picenum and Atletico Oristano. In 2000, the goalkeeper joined Torres Calcio, winning her first Serie A and Coppa Italia titles. After playing at Senigallia Vigor, she moved to the now-defunct ASD Bardolino, spending six seasons with the Gialloblu (Yellow-Blues). During her tenure, the Verona-based club won three consecutive Scudetti, two domestic cups, and two Super Cups, while also becoming the first Italian team to reach the semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Cup. Her performance in the quarterfinal against Danish champions Brøndby featured two saves in the penalty shootout. Having claimed a host of trophies, the decision was made to leave Bardolino in 2010. Brunozzi spent her final professional season at ACF Brescia before retiring.

At the international level, Brunozzi earned 55 caps for the Italian national team. She made the roster twice for the UEFA Women’s Championship, in 2001 and 2005. At the latter competition, the Torricella Sicura native appeared in all three matches for Le Azzurre (The Blues). Brunozzi retained the number one spot through the 2007 World Cup qualifying, conceding only six goals in the seven matches.

Playing a position that oftentimes demands physical superlatives, Brunozzi was an anomaly, standing a mere 5’5”. She earned the pop-culture-influenced nicknames “Batman” and “Taz” for her speed and intensity, a whirling dervish of energy that neither reduced activity nor stood down from an opponent. Competing at a time when Italy was perhaps less focused on the women’s game, the lack of training available to female players makes her accomplishments that much more significant, achieving at a high level without the advantages and support structure available in the modern game.

2015 - Ursula Holl (Germany, 5 caps / 4 WCT) - Known as “Uschi” and hailing from the Bavarian city of Würzburg, Holl spent her academy days with TSV Uengershausen before moving to the now-defunct FSV Frankfurt in 2000. She made ten appearances in her debut Bundesliga season before heading to crosstown rivals FFC Frankfurt (now known as Eintracht Frankfurt). While serving as a backup, the club claimed three league titles, three German Cups, and the 2003 UEFA Women’s Cup.

In search of first-team football, Holl returned to FSV Frankfurt during the 2003 summer transfer window. She gained valuable experience, receiving the necessary playing time to grow into the number one goalkeeper role. Her next destination came as no surprise, bouncing back to FFC Frankfurt.

Ready to compete for Germany’s most successful club, Holl contributed to the growing legacy. From 2005 through 2007, she claimed the UEFA Women’s Cup, Bundesliga, and German Cup. Capping off a fantastic year, the goalkeeper and her national team were awarded the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, the highest honor for German athletes bestowed by the country’s president.

She then moved to SC 07 Bad Neuenahr. After two seasons in the Rhineland, Holl joined FCR 2001 Duisburg. Her play led the Löwinnen (Lionesses) to the 2010 German Cup and a runners-up finish in the Bundesliga, but struggles with injury issues limited her ability to stake a claim as the country’s top goalkeeper. For her final season, Holl moved to Essen-Schönebeck. After making 12 appearances, she retired in 2012 at the age of 30. Her post-playing career consists of commentating, coaching, and working as a banking analyst.

Holl featured prominently for German youth international sides before advancing to the senior team. After waiting several years for an opportunity, she debuted in 2007 and finished her career with five caps. The international section of her trophy cabinet is almost as full as the club display, featuring two UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championships, two UEFA European Championships, a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, and, most importantly, the 2007 World Cup.  

Holl is described as an “open and self-confident character” that would “conduct her team loudly” with “more energy” than the defense was used to encountering. The reliable goalkeeper’s strengths were quick reactions, acrobatic saves, and stopping fast breaks, fulfilling the archetype of the athletic shot-stopper. Coaches praised her performance-oriented nature, “professional attitude, high level of discipline, and willingness to work hard.” Perhaps overshadowed by the strength of contemporaries, the top competitor achieved every possible accomplishment at the club level, never standing down from a challenge on or off the field.

Photo taken from the German Federation Association

2016 - Nadine Angerer (Germany, 146 caps / 134 WCT) - There are few goalkeepers as decorated as Nadine Angerer, the rare case of a talented player receiving proper acclaim. The native of Lohr am Main collected individual and team accolades at the club and international level, presiding over the area with an almost preternatural ability and carrying her squads to victory. Despite the consistency of her storied 20-year career, there are two matches that standout, both for the German national team.

After being named the undisputed starter following an injury to Silke Rottenberg, Angerer set multiple records at the 2007 World Cup for minutes conceded without a goal and shutouts. She held opponents scoreless for every match of the competition. Her most impressive performance waited ever so dramatically for the final. With Germany leading 1-0, the high-flying Brazilians drew a penalty in the 63rd minute. Legendary striker Marta, considered the world's top player, lined up at the spot, with few expecting anything other than conversion. Angerer stood firm, read her opponent's eyes, and slid to the right of the net for a save that looked almost too easy. Following a few more key stops, Germany was crowned champions for the second time. The accolades rolled in for Angerer. She was named Best Goalkeeper, selected to the All-Star Team, and awarded Silbernes Lorbeerblatt by the federal government.

Six years later, Angerer provided an encore performance at the 2013 UEFA Women's Championship. She saved two penalties to defeat Norway, 1-0, in the final, denying the opponents with shrewd movement and improvisation. The entire match was a one-woman show for the goalkeeper, a whirlwind display of intelligence, timing, and athleticism. At an even greater level than before, she was rewarded for her efforts. Angerer claimed a spot on the Squad of the Tournament, while also being named Best Player of the Tournament and UEFA Best Women's Player in Europe. The final prize, an unprecedented bauble, was winning the Ballon d'Or, the first goalkeeper to earn the honor.

At the club level, from Germany to Sweden, in Australia and the United States, Angerer exemplified similar excellence. She claimed a UEFA Women's Cup, two Bundesliga titles, and four German Cups. After retiring, the International Federation of Football & Statistics named her to the All-Decade Team for the 2010s and the All-Time Women's Dream Team. Nicknamed “Natze”, Angerer is praised for her “ability to concentrate” and “one hundred percent focus on the game,” along with reading of the game and shot-stopping. She was considered an intelligent player with a strong personality, devoid of “any glaring weaknesses.” Standing tall on the world’s biggest stages, managers considered her a "special person" and leader that uplifted the even before considering her elite performances.

2017 - Hope Solo (USA, 202 caps / 119 WCT) - When pushed to decide history's greatest female goalkeeper, Hope Solo would likely be the first or second name mentioned. She was a key member of multiple Olympic gold medal and World Cup-winning sides, and her list of individual accolades and records are more than extensive. Over 17 years, the Washington native made 202 appearances at the international level, establishing a pattern of excellence that will go unmet for a very long time.

Solo brought a fearless nature and athleticism to the position that is often attributed in word but rarely present in deed. Her athleticism granted her the ability to cover the entire box and pop right back up projected a level of confidence to which goalkeepers should aspire. Before an opponent's shot reached the goal, her careful footwork had put her in a position to keep the ball out of the net.

Consider her incredible double-save in the 2012 Olympics send-off match against Canada. Christine Sinclair took a shot from the top of the box that was deflected, but Solo had already begun moving to the right side of the goal. She stopped and utilized every fiber of quick-twitch muscle to reverse course for the save. The veteran was then able to dive again, corralling the rebound with one arm and preventing the opponent from forcing her over the line.

There was also the notable save on the inimitable Marta to preserve the shutout against Brazil in the Gold Medal Match of the 2008 Olympics. The striker slalomed through the American defenders and had a clean shot on goal, directing her effort to the near post, a ploy that would have bedeviled many goalkeepers. However, Solo went against the natural reflexive urge and stood firm, producing a one-armed save.

The two-time World Cup Golden Glove winner will be forever present on any list of top goalkeepers. Her on-field performances are beyond reproach through years of consistent greatness. Any research into her playing history yields a supremely athletic talent capable of holding down the number one spot for a top nation during a transformational era of the sport, a motivating figure atop the mountain for what a player can achieve.

Paul Thomas/FA via Getty Images

2018 - Emma Byrne (Ireland, 134 caps / 256 WCT) - Born in the County Kildare town of Leixlip, Byrne competed for Leixlip United and Coláiste Chiaráin, reaching the final of the All-Ireland schools competition. The then-14-year-old departed home and began playing for St. Patrick’s Athletic in the now-defunct Dublin Women’s Soccer League, overcoming an early cruciate ligament rupture. In 1999, she moved to Fortuna Hjørring of the Danish Women’s League for a year before heading to London for an opportunity with the continent’s top club, Arsenal.

After going on trial, Arsenal made an immediate offer. With the club beset by injury issues, Byrne quickly earned the starting role and made an immediate impact, winning the domestic treble in 2001. For the following 17 years, she was the model of stability and achievement, embarking on a dominant run with England’s most successful club. The Gunners claimed nine Premier League National Division titles, two FA Women’s Super League trophies, nine FA Women’s Cups, three League Cups, and five Premier League Cups. Despite overtures from the Women’s Professional Soccer League in the United States, Byrne stayed in England. 

The crowning achievement was the 2007 quadruple, capped off with the UEFA Women’s Cup, the club’s first. In the two-leg final, Arsenal defeated Swedish side Umeå IK, 1-0 on aggregate. Byrne made several brilliant saves and also benefitted from some luck. An 80th-minute shot rebounded off her face, into the post, and out for a corner. 

In December of 2016, Byrne departed Arsenal on a free transfer. She spent one year at Brighton & Hove Albion, making nine appearances before stepping away. Her retirement lasted three years, with Spanish side Terrassa FC signing her in August of 2019.

At the international level, Byrne debuted for Na cailíní i nglas (The Girls in Green) at 16 years old and made 134 appearances before retiring in 2017, serving as captain and setting the cap record for her country. Her performances earned the 2008 Eircom International Player of the Year, Football Association of Ireland Senior International Player of the Year twice, and 2017 PFA Ireland Merit Award. She was the first woman inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame.

Byrne commanded the final third, the complete player that could control the box and make spectacular reaction saves. She was of the sweeper-keeper mold, “always running out” with pace, before shifting to a focus on deliberate and calculated movement in the latter stages of her career. While shying away from the role model label, observers and officials lauded her work ethic and commitment to excellence on and off the field, described as “dragging women’s football from the dark ages into the twenty-first century.” 

Picture taken from the Guardian

2019 - Precious Dede (Nigeria, 99 caps / 182 WCT) - Born in the cultural hub of Lagos, Dede spent a majority of her professional career in the domestic Nigerian Women Premier League. Dede played for a number of clubs, including the Rivers Angels, Ibom Queens, Bayelsa Queens, and Delta Queens FC. Her most prolific stint was with the latter club, winning the Federation Cup and the Super Six competition multiple times. She spent a year abroad at Norwegian side Arna-Bjørnar in 2009, filling in for the injured Erika Skarbø, before returning to Nigeria.

Dede was a stalwart for the Nigerian national team, making 99 appearances in 15 years. She was on the squad for four World Cups (2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015), three Olympic Games (2000, 2004, and 2008), and six editions of the African Women’s Championship. With the 5’7” athlete in goal, the Super Falcons won the latter competition four times.

Dede is perhaps best known for a “five-star performance” against Ghana in the third round of 2004 CAF Olympic qualifying. In the second away leg, she stopped multiple attempts during the penalty shootout, silencing the crowd at Accra Stadium and helping the Super Falcons qualify for the Olympics. The Nigerian Football Federation named Dede the Female Footballer of the Year in 2009.

She retired in 2015 after returning to the squad for the 2015 World Cup. “I feel that I did my best for the country for the 15 years I was in post for the Super Falcons,” Dede told the Guardian. “I wanted to quit before my last World Cup in Canada 2015, but I was asked to come back and play… I had to leave the stage for the younger ones."

Dede established a high standard for goalkeeping across the continent, impressing on-lookers as a “very athletic” goalkeeper and possessing “strong reflexes.” Her steady and “unshowy” play kept Nigeria within striking distance of far stronger opponents, most notably at the 1999 World Cup, where Nigeria finished second in the group with wins over North Korea and Denmark. Nigeria would eventually lose a close quarterfinal contest to powerhouse Brazil, 4-3 in extra time. To date, no other African nation has reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup, before or since.

Click here to return to the main page for the complete list of goalkeepers

The Next Generation of Female Goalkeepers (U24 Scouting Reports)

cover photo from Reuters

The next generation of female goalkeepers are already making waves for themselves, whether it be in the American collegiate system or in the professional game. Even though the list is limited to goalkeepers born in or after 1996, nearly every goalkeeper has represented their country on the youth level, if not with the senior team as well. The USWNT goalkeeping pool looks the strongest with six goalkeepers in the top 15 although several other countries are counting on their young prodigies to lead the national teams to World Cup glory.

Each goalkeeper is graded in nine categories, covering their abilities on a technical, tactical, and athletic level (although there is some bleed over in certain categories). Understanding that the limited ratings do not completely encompass the position, the brief survey for each goalkeeper is intended to give a decent foundation for new observers in understanding each goalkeeper’s play styles.

Each goalkeeper is rated on a 1-7 scale in nine different categories. A 7 is a world-class level, a 4 is a low professional or high Division I collegiate goalkeeper, and a 1 is dreadful. (Scroll to the bottom for a definition on each category.)

Technical

• Footwork, Angle Play – Efficiency in micro-adjustments, balance, and angles taken vs. shooter

• Hands – The goalkeeper’s ability to hold shots, prevent easy rebounds, and drop crosses

• Distribution – Success with distribution from throws, balls from ground, and punts

Athleticism

• Post-to-Post time – Acceleration speed for goalkeepers’ forward and lateral (post-to-post) movement

• Explosiveness – A goalkeeper’s ability to cover the goal width as well as reaction speed. A good “shot-stopper” will have high explosiveness and footwork ratings

• Breakaways –  Success in 1v1 situations and generally handling through balls

Tactical

• Crossing – Comfortability with incoming aerial service on crosses, free kicks, and corners

• Improvisation – A goalkeeper’s success can solve an unfamiliar situation.

• Consistency – How often a goalkeeper is playing to their top ability. Inversely it takes into account how often a goalkeeper gives up a soft goal. A “clutch” goalkeeper will have a high consistency rating as well.

Six Foreign Goalkeepers For MLS (Summer 2020)

cover photo belongs to Johannes EISELE / AFP

From their first season, MLS has been a league that’s tried to accommodate foreign players to elevate its level of play. While field players have seen success with integrating foreigners, there have been few productive foreign goalkeepers in MLS. Although MLS is focused on developing domestic talent, the potential payout certain goalkeepers possess make their pursuit from MLS teams worthwhile.

Following last year’s list of goalkeepers who would be a good fit for MLS, similar parameters have been applied for possible candidates: goalkeepers must be between 21-26 years old, listed under three million dollars on Transfermarkt, and have a sensible reason to transfer for both the player and club. For example, if a 22-year-old German goalkeeper is a backup in the Bundesliga, it’s not realistic to expect them to come to MLS as their willingness to make such a move is low and the opportunities for playing time are already present in their home country.

The six goalkeepers listed below are ready for the level of play in MLS and are likely able to jump to an even higher league within two or three years, earning MLS teams a nice incoming transfer fee. Each goalkeeper is listed with their current club, age, home country, their current listed price on Transfermarkt, and their potential selling fee an MLS team could make if the goalkeeper develops well.

1. Ivan Zlobin
Benfica (Portugal)
23, Russian

Current TM Listing: $1,320,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $15,000,000

There are a couple of hurdles in bringing Zlobin into MLS. First, there aren’t many Russians playing outside of Russia, due to the lucrative money found in the Russian Premier League. A 2014 study found Russia to be the sixth-highest paying country, with the average player making $1.4 million. Secondly, Benfica is a known powerhouse when it comes to goalkeeper development. Simply having Benfica on your resume as a goalkeeper is a boost in itself.

However, the main reason this transfer could work is exactly because of how talent-loaded Benfica is. Zlobin only received eight starts over the past year, all coming through various cup matches. With the lack of playing time, there’s a slight chance Benfica let him walk for cheap. Additionally the Russian youth international could press for the number one spot with the national team if the next couple years go well, as Russia has not found a constant replacement since the retirement of World Cup hero Igor Akinfeev. Zlobin possesses an interesting mix of power and improvisation in his game, not to mention strong distributing skills. MLS could be a good platform for him to get more playing time, boost his reputation for a return to Europe, and set himself up as a national team contender.

2. Per Kristian Bratveit
Djurgardens (Sweden)
24, Norway

TM Listing: $358,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $12,000,000

The 24-year-old Norwegian moved to Djurgardens a year and a half ago and mostly played backup during his new club’s championship run. He’s already been featured in Djurgardens’ 2020 campaign, splitting time with 31-year-old Tommi Vaiho, who received the bulk of last year’s minutes. Djurgardens likely know they’re sitting on a future Norwegian national team goalkeeper but they also may not have the available playing time the young prospect may desire. Bratveit instills a modern, passive approach by letting the game come to him, utilizing an interesting combination of a high line yet rarely playing aggressive. His wingspan is reminiscent of Brad Friedel, showcasing a seemingly impossible stretch to the upper 90s whenever the opportunity arises. MLS teams might struggle to convince Djurgardens to offload Bratveit but if they can, it wouldn’t take long to see why Norway is so keen on the young goalkeeper.

3. Ivan Brkic
Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
25, Croatia

TM Listing: $358,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $8,000,000

Any time you’re surveying the bargain bin, there’s always a reason why things have fallen to the bottom corner. The 25-year-old Croatia received a knee injury in late November but not before he had knocked 10 shutouts in 16 starts for Zrinjski Mostar. Brkic likely doesn’t have many courting him at the moment due to the worrying injury.

Brkic has a number of parallels to Nick Rimando, both in his stature but also how both leave the viewer thinking “that shouldn’t have worked but somehow it did”. Brkic has an odd rhythm to his game, one that may not pass the eye test for many scouts. But if he’s healthy again, the former Croatia youth international could be another successful undersized goalkeeper in MLS’s history.

4. Miroslav Lobantsev
Qyzyljar (Kazakhstan)
25, Russia

TM Listing: $358,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $7,000,000

If previously listed Ivan Brkic is the equivalent of Nick Rimando, then Miroslav Lobantsev is Kevin Hartman. Lobantsev leans on his size (6’3”) and burst of speed to shut down dangerous situations before they become shots on goal. Things can get a little sloppy with Lobantsev, who will put whichever body part that’s closest to the ball on the line at a moment’s notice. However, the atypical scrambling play style is fairly common in MLS, with Steve Clark, Tim Melia, and Bill Hamid finding success with it over their long careers in the league. Qyzyljar has little to no use for the backup goalkeeper who has played at every level of Russia’s youth international program (U16 to U21). Qyzyljar would likely be happy to offload the goalkeeper they received for free while Lobantsev would relish the chance at a bigger stage.

5. Babacar Niasse
Tondela (Portugal)
23, Senegal

TM Listing: $330,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $7,000,000

Niasse joined Portuguese club CD Tondela at the start of the season but has only seen two starts since August and Tondela sit just three points above relegation. Tondela have opted to run with once capped Portuguese goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos for the entire season, who has actually done well for himself despite the club’s scoring woes. Tondela received Niasse on a free transfer from Belgium and Senegal have a decent goalkeeping core that makes Niasse’s chances with the national team slim to none. That said, Niasse has a similar thin, lanky frame to David de Gea, relying on his quick mobility to solve oncoming chances on goal. Niasse hasn’t had much success since reaching Europe but MLS could be a win-win-win for all parties involved.

6. Igor Leshchuk
Dinamo Moscow (Russia)
24, Russia

TM Listing: $523,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $7,000,000

Dynamo faces FC Ufa in a 0-0 draw (September 2019). Leshchuk is the goalkeeper in yellow. Skip to 3:00 for a late-game save.

As previously mentioned, Russia pays extremely well and Leshchuk’s youth international experience with Russia could very well put his current salary above all MLS goalkeepers. Dynamo Moscow, who are currently sitting mid-table in the Russian Premier League, gave six league matches to Leshchuk last season although only winning once. It’s unlikely Dynamo Moscow will be willing to let Leshchuk walk for cheap, if at all, but the 24-year-old Russian’s calm demeanor (think Zack Steffen) would fit well with MLS teams, if given the consistent playing time that Dynamo hasn’t yet.