World Goalkeeping Report Card

cover photo from fcbarcelonanoticias.com

In an attempt to survey the world standard for goalkeeping, Everybody Soccer enters 2023 with a deep dive on the top 50 nations when it comes to the goalkeeping department. Each country is graded on three categories:

1. National Team production

2. Domestic League level of play

3. Youth National Team development

For the top fifty countries, the most common grade given out was a C to maintain a decent but not impossible standard to reach.

For the most part, the top 25 countries have excelled in two if not all three categories. Although there are some exceptions, a good goalkeeping nation will not only have a clear pathway for young goalkeepers to reach their ceiling, but also have the depth that the next 25 nations do not possess.

Nations ranked 26-50 each have one strong aspect to their goalkeeping production. Whether it is a strong national team starter, a handful of talented internationals in their domestic league, or a promising, young core, as in Ireland’s case, these countries are close to reaching another level but haven’t quite reached it.

NCAA Men's Goalkeeper Rankings (Fall 2022)

Seniors

1. Jassem Koleilat (New Hampshire, Canada)
2. Oliver Semmle (Marshall, Germany)
3. Dominic Peters (San Diego)
4. Kris Shakes (Penn State)
5. Michael Collodi (Columbia)
6. Ryan Troutman (Louisville)
7. Jonathan Burke (Drake)
8. Holden Trent (High Point)
9. Matt Frank (Stanford)
10. Marco Saborio Perez (North Carolina, Costa Rica)

One to Watch: Marco Saborio Perez. Saborio Perez leaves UNC with only five appearances to his name in the four years at Chapel Hill. However, the former Costa Rican YNT and New England Revs academy product came in with a lot of buzz and is clearly still trying to carve a route forward for himself. Saborio Perez needs minutes ASAP to keep his momentum going in the right way, which raises questions about his options going forward. He reportedly holds a Swiss passport that could get him to Europe but could also return to the college game with two years of eligibility remaining on the table. Keep an eye out to see how this once highly touted goalkeeper keeps his career alive.

Juniors

1. Jacob Castro (San Diego State)
2. Edu Rodriguez (Campbell, Spain)
3. James Lowell (Maryland)
4. Lute Lillo Portero (Omaha, Spain)
5. Ryan Schewe (Georgetown)
6. John Harms (Indiana)
7. Sam Fowler (Washington)
8. Holden Brown (Virginia)
9. Brendan Graves (Bowling Green)
10. Kash Oladapo (St. Mary's)

One to Watch: Edu Rodriguez. Rodriguez is one of the more complete goalkeepers in the college game. Unfortunately for foreign goalkeepers in the NCAA, their chances of signing with an MLS team are drastically lowered due to roster restrictions. And despite a global dominance in goalkeeping standards, Spanish goalkeeping isn’t rated among most American coaches. Add in the additional hurdle that Campbell isn’t typically known as a goalkeeper powerhouse, Rodriguez has his work cut out for him to catch on in the US after his time in college winds down.

Sophomores

1. Ben Martino (Virginia Tech)
2. Eoin Gawronski (Temple)
3. Trace Alphin (Wake Forest)
4. Luca Hatsios (NC State)
5. Alex Lopez (Tulsa, Spain)
6. Nathanael Sallah (Omaha, Germany)
7. Alex Bobocea (Loyola MD)
8. Colin Welsh (Memphis)
9. Nate Crockford (UCLA)
10. Brennan Klein (Boston College)

One to Watch: A lead goalkeeper. Typically classes have a goalkeeper or two that break away from the bunch but so far none have impressed to that level. For each goalkeeper listed, we’ve seen positives and negatives in their game thus far. The sophomore year for any goalkeeper is a tough transition as they’re finally starting to find their rhythm, yet they simultaneously need to start becoming a leader on the team. Be prepared to see massive changes in these names going forward as we’re due for a star goalkeeper in the sophomore class.

Freshmen

1. Jay Hibbert (Connecticut)
2. Paul Walters (Northwestern)
3. Andrew Cordes (North Carolina)
4. Mitchell Budler (Akron)
5. Alex Aitken (Houston Baptist, England)
6. Ryan Friedberg (Cornell)
7. Landon Carter (Utah Valley)
8. Seth Wilson (Akron)
9. Matt Tibbetts (American)
10. Michael Sly (Oakland)

One to Watch: Andrew Cordes. UNC hasn’t had a goalkeeper who started all four years since Michael Ueltschey graduated in 2001 and Cordes is on track to become the next one. Cordes received the bulk of the minutes this season (splitting with Saborio Perez) and seems prime to have a clear runway for the next three years. Cordes has a nice control on his movement in the box, keeping it light without distracting himself with busy footwork to find the “perfect” positioning. There’s a simplicity to his game that has worked very well for him. If there’s one name MLS scouts are starting to circle from this class, it’s likely Cordes.

NCAA Women's Goalkeeper Rankings (Fall 2022)

cover photo belongs to Duke Athletics

Seniors

1. Ruthie Jones (Duke)
2. Angelina Anderson (California)
3. Megan Plaschko (Minnesota)
4. Marz Josephson (North Carolina)
5. Kayza Massey (West Virginia, Canada)
6. Madeline Smith (Maryland)
7. Lauren Brzykcy (UCLA)
8. Meagan McClelland (Rutgers)
9. Lyza Bosselmann (Gonzaga)
10. McKinley Crone (Alabama)

11. Jordan Silkowitz (Iowa State)
12. Mackenzie Wood (Notre Dame)
13. Lauren Kozal (Michigan State)
14. Katherine Asman (Penn State)
15. Monica Wilhelm (Iowa)
16. Heather Hinz (South Carolina)
17. Olivia Sekany (Washington)
18. Charlotte Cyr (Dartmouth)
19. Lindsey Romig (Tennessee)
20. Ashley Orkus (Mississippi)

One to Watch: Marz Josephson. Josephson’s time at UNC was quite the tumultuous one. Earning only 1161 minutes (equivalent to 13 games) in four years, Josephson is currently sitting on two more years of eligibility due to the infamous “covid year” that every player, parent, and coach has heard about over and over. As for Josephson’s path forward, it can go in several directions. For a player whose collegiate career was so stop-and-go within a highly competitive environment and sought-after minutes, it’s quite common to see a player finish out their eligibility with stability and less stress by finding a university that will commit to giving her the bulk of the minutes. However, if Josephson is eyeing the pros, don’t be surprised to see her keep her foot on the gas and re-enter a highly competitive environment to best prepare her for the next level, whether at another university or with a professional side. Whichever path she chooses, it’s certain Jospheson has plenty of “gas left in the tank” to make some noise for next fall, if she chooses that route.

Juniors

1. Maria Echezarreta (NC State, Spain)
2. Macy Enneking (Iowa)
3. Cristina Roque (Florida State, Puerto Rico)
4. Lauren Traywick (Baylor)
5. Leah Freeman (Oregon)
6. Ryan Campbell (Stanford)
7. Hailey Coll (Oregon State)
8. Anna Karpenko (Harvard, Canada)
9. Halle Mackiewicz (Clemson)
10. Maddy Anderson (Mississippi State)

One to Watch: Maria Echezarreta. If there’s one takeaway from goalkeepers over the 2022 season, it’s that we need more variety in the NCAA. Echezarreta brings a breath of fresh air to the position by taking on a level of responsibility that we rarely see for division I programs. The Spanish YNT goalkeeper focuses on preventing the opposition’s ability to create goal chances through distribution and organization, whereas American goalkeepers are typically more focused on putting all their eggs in the shot-stopping basket. I don’t think many are doubting Echezarreta’s ability to play at the next level, although there is a gray question of “where?” Does an NWSL team get ready to pounce? Does one of the top Spanish clubs attempt to continue her development or will a midtable team put her in goal immediately? Or does a non-Spanish side with high aspirations in the Champions League look to make an attractive offer? There are several directions forward, one that hopefully leaves a pathway for more Spanish goalkeepers in the college ranks.

Sophomores

1. Mia Justus (Florida State)
2. Liz Beardsley (Georgia)
3. Wiebke Willebrandt (Boston College, Germany)
4. Tyler McCamey (Princeton)
5. Savanna Mason (BYU)
6. Maya Bellomo (Yale)
7. Trinity Corcoran (Northern Arizona)
8. Shu Ohba (East Tennessee State, Japan)
9. Haley Craig (Stanford)
10. Bella Grust (Colorado)

One to Watch: Liz Beardsley. Georgia recorded their first 13-win season since 2011 and not without the help of the Florida native in goal. Beardsley employs a level of chaoticness in goal by playing a deep line while simultaneously being more than eager to throw her body into the fray. The lanky-yet-mobile combo is an increasingly popular trend for a reason and the sophomore Bulldog has repeatedly shown why with her high flying saves. If Beardsley can continue to shore up her response in atypical situations where something has gone wrong in the box, look for her to become a frontrunner to join the NWSL in a few years.

Freshmen

1. Emmie Allen (North Carolina)
2. Neeku Purcell (UCLA)
3. Erynn Floyd (Louisville)
4. Teagan Wy (California)
5. Bella Schopp (Brown)
6. Pauline Nelles (Arizona State, Germany)
7. Cara Martin (Georgetown)
8. Olivia Ramey (Oklahoma)
9. Caroline Duffy (Duke)
10. Reiley Fitzpatrick (Northwestern)

One to Watch: Erynn Floyd. Don’t let Louisville’s 6-8-2 record fool you, a true freshman starting in goal for any ACC squad is a tall order. Floyd started 14 of the 16 matches and displayed a rarely-seen composure in net, moving in sync with the quick play and showing a decisive mindset without hesitation. Similar to Beardsley, Floyd looks most comfortable playing near the goal line but she has a “bet on yourself” energy that encourages her to explore all the corners of the 18. If she can continue to embrace more responsibility within the game, Floyd could be yet another non-USYNT goalkeeper that makes a strong run in the professional game.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

2022: Preseason
2021: Final
2020: Preseason and Final
2019: Preseason and Final
2018: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2015: Preseason and Final

Scouting Potential Foreign Goalkeepers for MLS (2022)

Following the previous fall report on potential signings for MLS, Everybody Soccer returns with another scouting report on possible foreign goalkeepers for MLS teams. The US’s top league has finally started to explore more avenues when it comes to buying and selling players, both domestic and foreign.

Eligible goalkeepers were limited to (1) being at least 21 years old, (2) listed as having less than a $1,500,000 market value by Transfermarkt, and (3) ones that would have the highest possibility of being re-sold by an MLS team. Additionally, certain eligible goalkeepers were removed from inclusion, as moving to MLS didn’t make feasible sense for the stage they’re currently at in their career.

Toni Fuidias - Girona, 21

Bill says: Fuidias left Real Madrid this summer for another La Liga club, Girona, on a free transfer. Although Fuidias future is a little clouded when it comes to Girona’s plans for the young Spaniard, what’s not as blurry is Fuidias’ ability in between the posts. Although competitive minutes were sparse in the highly competitive environment, Fuidias is your prototypical young, Spanish goalkeeper: highly mobile with a keen focus on the smallest nuances but without any of the paralysis that typically comes with that attention to detail. TM has Fuidias’ contract with Girona running through summer 2025 but if they continue to keep him on the bench, they may be willing to let him go for a low fee.

Transfermarkt listing: $355,000

Mees Bakker - AZ, 21

Bill says: Bakker is currently on loan from AZ to second-division Dutch club De Graafschap but has yet to break in with either club. Transfermarkt lists Bakker’s contract to end next summer, making him a perfect candidate for MLS clubs to pounce on a potentially profitable goalkeeper. Bakker’s lack of minutes have kept the Dutch YNT goalkeeper off the radar for most clubs but that hasn’t stopped AZ from developing yet another front-footed goalkeeper. There aren’t many more aggressive goalkeepers in the world than Bakker, which provides a high boom-or-bust possibility.

Transfermarkt listing: $118,000

Anthony Racioppi - Young Boys, 23

Bill says: Racioppi rings in at just over the one million mark but the Swiss YNT alum has struggled for consistent playing time. Since leaving Dijon this winter, Racioppi returned to Swizterland’s premier league with Young Boys but has still been relegated to the bench. Utilizing a fluid style that’s often seen in Italian goalkeepers, Racioppi does well to react to a multitude of situations. From short-to-long range shooting situations to leaving his line, decision-making comes naturally for him, even if it’s not always a “textbook answer”. Racioppi needs minutes ASAP to stay relevant in Switzerland’s goalkeeping depth chart and MLS has long struggled to find foreign goalkeepers to handle atypical and scrappy challenges in goal.

Transfermarkt listing: $1,100,000

Luca Philipp - Hoffenheim, 22

Bill says: The German youth international is closing on a decade with how long he’s been with Hoffenheim. Philipp has patiently climbed every step inside the club, from the youth academy to the U17s to the U19s to the reserves, and has now found himself on the bench for the first team. It’s hard to see Hoffenheim offload him at this point, unless the steady play of 32-year-old starting goalkeeper Oliver Baumann delays the switch to the point where Philipp is frustrated from waiting. Philipp isn’t very flashy in goal but he is classically German in his methodical approach. Although you’re likely to see fewer big highlight reel saves, you’re also less likely to see poor goals with his steady approach. TM has his contract ending in the summer of 2023 and the right fit might pull the young goalkeeper to a new environment.

Transfermarkt listing: $330,000

Lazar Carevic - Vojvodina, 23

Bill says: Spain are quietly developing a slew of game generals and Carevic is no exception. After four years with Barcelona, Carevic moved east on a free transfer to the Vojvodina, a Serbian first-division club. Allowing only 13 goals in his first 15 league matches with the club, Carevic has also notched his first start with his national team of Montenegro back in March. Carevic brings a unique nimbleness to the southeastern European league, although it’s difficult to maintain in environments that lean on power and speed (see Kepa’s difficult start with Chelsea). Although the Serbian SuperLiga could trampoline the goalkeeper to a higher league, MLS will offer more exposure for Carevic.

Transfermarkt listing: $220,000

Best of the Rest

• Cristian Rivero - Valencia, 24. Long time Valencia product with no clear route forward in the club. $220,000 listing.

• Markus Schubert - Vitesse, 24. German returning from knee surgery at a crowded dutch club. $660,000 listing.

• Luis López - Real Madrid, 21. One of the stalwart clubs in goalkeeper development with a goalkeeper struggling for playing time. $355,000 listing.

• Ortwin De Wolf - Royal Antwerp, 26. Former Belgian YNT whose value recently “dropped” from depth chart issues and is wanting to reignite his career. $592,000 listing.

• Manuel Roffo - Tigre, 22. Argentinian YNT looking to take his career forward from Argentina’s premier division. $740,000 listing

• Théo De Percin - AJ Auxerre, 21. “Shoot from the hip” style with high range, if he can find the right blueprint for himself. $178,000 listing.

• Andrea Zaccagno - Rimini, 25. Illustrious Italian YNT whose career has stalled in third division Italy. $118,000 listing.

• Ellery Balcombe - Brentford, 23. Contract reportedly expires in May 2023 for the English U20 goalkeeper. $355,000 listing.