The 24 Best U24 American Goalkeepers

If you were to ask either the USWNT or USMNT fanbase about who the starting goalkeeper should be for the upcoming World Cups, brace yourself for the variety of answers you’ll receive. Gone are the days when Hope Solo and Tim Howard were unanimous picks. The lack of consensus is partly due to the plethora of encouraging prospects but mostly because of the dearth of convincing performances with the senior teams. And while it may take longer to integrate new faces into the national team - Aubrey Kingsbury didn’t receive her first cap until 30, despite winning two NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year awards prior to - there are a number of fans who are vocal about their willingness to hand the keys to the car over to the prospects immediately.

Diving into the top U24 goalkeepers gives us an idea of what the rising talent pool looks like, as well as surveying where American goalkeepers are being developed. The following rankings are centered on a combination of current form and projected ability to succeed at the next level. Younger goalkeepers receive less of a bump for potential, as they’re largely unproven, while the older goalkeepers are nearing their finished level.

As a quick aside, it’s worth noting that the federation is still short a National Goalkeeper Director. As previously reported on, the USSF had a goalkeeper director through 2005, whose responsibilities were centered on connecting all the efforts into a cohesive program that pointed players and coaches in the same direction. Without a full-time goalkeeper director, the country has defaulted into outsourcing goalkeeper development to whoever is most interested.

USWNT Prospects

1. Heather Hinz, 23 - Houston Dash
2. Emmie Allen, 22 - Bay FC
3. Angelina Anderson, 23 - Angel City FC
4. Elizabeth Beardsley, 21 - Houston Dash
5. Neeku Purcell, 21 - Brooklyn FC (USA.1U)
6. Halle Mackiewicz, 23 - Chicago Red Stars

7. Maddie Prohaska, 23 - Seattle Reign
8. Nadia Cooper, 22 - Washington State %
9. Madison White, 23 - Racing Louisville
10. Leah Freeman, 23 - Duke University %
11. Megan Plaschko, 23 - Athlone Town AFC (Ireland.1)
12. Teagan Wy, 21 - California

13. Stephanie Sparkowski, 22 - Chicago Red Stars
14. Jillian Medvecky, 19 - Pepperdine
15. Mia Justus, 22 - Utah Royals
16. Ryan Campbell, 23 - Gotham FC
17. Olivia Pratapas, 23 - NC State
18. Jordan Brown, 21 - Georgia

19. Shea Vanderbosch, 21 - Syracuse
20. Liv Geller, 18 - TCU
21. Haley Craig, 22 - Portland Thorns Trialist
22. Addie Todd, 20 - Florida State
23. Victoria Safradin, 20 - Virginia
24. Sarah Wommack, 20 - Appalachian State

% - Currently a free agent but listed with the most recent team

Bill says: If you were to survey coaches across the country on the top goalkeeper in the USWNT pipeline, don’t be shocked if you received a multitude of names for the potential “next number one”. This list is largely unproven in a general sense, although all have just about had stellar collegiate careers. Hinz, Allen, Anderson, and Mackiewicz have all received buzz leaving college but none have currently locked down a steady number one job yet. However, look for Angel City FC to give Anderson a fair shot at becoming the starter in 2025 and potentially cracking into the national scene, similar to Neeku Purcell in Brooklyn. Purcell left UCLA early - after just 27 collegiate starts - and was recently rewarded with an invitation to the USWNT Futures Camp at the start of the year, giving good street cred for the USL Super League.

Other names to keep an eye on for the spring are Plaschko, to see how she can adjust to Irish football, and Freeman and Cooper, both of whom are still unattached at the time of this release. With Purcell’s success getting so publicly rewarded, look for more young goalkeepers to try their hand at non-NWSL routes. As for which goalkeepers will find success versus the ones who don’t, those answers largely depend on who will receive a fair opportunity and who can execute when the time comes.

USMNT Prospects

1. Chris Brady, 20 - Chicago Fire
2. Gabriel Slonina, 20 - Chelsea FC (England.1)
3. Gavin Beavers, 19 - Brondby (Denmark.1)
4. Diego Kochen, 18 - Barcelona U19s (Spain.1)
5. Julian Eyestone, 18 - Brentford B (England.1)
6. Antonio Carrera, 20 - FC Dallas

7. Andrew Rick, 19 - Philadelphia Union
8. Nicholas Holliday, 19 - Charlotte FC
9. Vicente Reyes, 21 - Norwich U21 (England.2)
10. Patrick Schulte, 23 - Columbus Crew
11. Eryk Slowikowski, 19 - Luparense FC (Italy.4)
12. Ethan Wady, 23 - Millwall FC (England.2.)

13. Emmanuel Ochoa, 19 - Cruz Azul (Mexico.1)
14. Brian Schwake, 23 - Nashville SC
15. Adam Beaudry, 18 - Colorado Rapids
16. Fernando Delgado, 18 - Birmingham Legion
17. Wyatt Nelson, 19 - UCLA
18. Duran Ferree, 18 - San Diego Loyal #

19. Blake Kelly, 19 - Notre Dame
20. Taishi Nozawa, 22 - FC Tokyo (Japan.1)
21. John Pulskamp, 23 - Sporting Kansas City
22. Leander Hoppenheit, 18 - Preussen Munster U19 (Germany.2)
23. James Sneddon, 19 - Richmond Kickers
24. Paul Walters, 20 - Cincinnati FC

# - on loan with the Nordsjaelland (Denmark.1)

Bill says: The rest of the world continues to do the heavy lifting for the bulk of our top prospects. Excluding Zion Suzuki (who is cap-tied to Japan despite being born in the US), Europe is a priority target for our young goalkeepers, which is highlighted by recent moves like Gavin Beavers (formerly of Real Salt Lake) and Duran Ferree (currently on loan in Denmark as well). We’ve reached the point where fans are assuming that goalkeepers like Chris Brady and Antonio Carrera will inevitably make the jump overseas, while also viewing Brian Schwake’s return to the US as a concerning step in his career.

The US has a unique problem with significant chokepoints when it comes to opportunities for young goalkeepers, so there is a strong argument for utilizing Europe as a resource. However, even if Europe is a part of the “American pipeline”, young goalkeepers still face the difficult task of navigating the logjam of overstocked late 20 and early 30 year olds in the professional scene. For a promising young goalkeeper from Arkansas or New Jersey, like Zion Suzuki, it seems that unless you’re one of the few lucky goalkeepers to receive proper investment from a professional side, your best bet in maxing out your potential is getting out of the US as fast as possible.

Bitcoin basics: What you need to know and why it matters

Bitcoin basics: What you need to know and why it matters

In recent years, you’ve likely heard a lot about Bitcoin (BTC). It’s a type of digital currency that has been getting a lot of attention. But what exactly is Bitcoin, and why do people use it? Here, BTC is explained in a way more people will easily understand.

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin was released in 2009 by an anonymous group of people using the name Satoshi Nakamoto. It is a form of money, but unlike regular money (like coins or paper bills), BTC is digital. This means it doesn’t exist in physical form, and you can’t hold a Bitcoin in your hand. Instead, you can send and receive it over the internet, and use it to buy things online.

During its inception, the idea behind BTC was to make a type of money that isn’t controlled by any government, bank, or institution. Instead, it could be used by anyone, anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This makes it a unique and independent financial system for everyone, just like how everybody loves soccer and is played by people from all walks of life.

How does Bitcoin work?

Bitcoin is a unique form of currency that uses special technology to keep transactions safe, open for everyone to see, and not controlled by any one person or group. Here are more detailed explanations of how BTC work:

  1. Blockchain technology: Bitcoin uses blockchain, a decentralised public ledger that records every transaction made with BTC. This ledger is stored across a global network of computers, so no one can tamper or hack it easily. Each block in the chain contains a list of transactions, and once a block is added, it cannot be altered.

  2. Decentralisation: Unlike fiat money, which is controlled by banks and governments, Bitcoin isn’t controlled by anyone. Transactions are verified by a network of computers that work together to make sure all transactions are real and safe.

  3. Mining: You may have heard of Bitcoin 'mining'. This doesn’t mean digging for coins, but it’s how new Bitcoins are created. Miners use powerful computers to solve complex math problems. Once they solve one of them, they validate a block of transactions and are rewarded with newly created BTC.

  4. Wallets: To store and manage your Bitcoin, you need a digital wallet. This wallet works like a bank account for your BTC. You can store it on your computer, or phone to keep it safe.

  5. Transactions: When you send BTC to someone, the transaction is recorded on the blockchain. This is public but anonymous, so while the transaction can be seen by anyone, no one knows who you are unless you tell them.

Why do people use Bitcoin?

Bitcoin has become popular for many reasons. Unlike traditional banking systems, it offers a new way to send, store, and invest money without needing approval from a central authority. Here are some reasons why people choose BTC:

  1. No middleman: Bitcoin isn’t controlled by banks or governments, so users don’t have to rely on these organisations to make payments. This appeals to users who want more control over their funds and transactions.

  2. Lower fees: When you send money through a bank or use a credit card, you often have to pay fees. Bitcoin transactions usually have smaller fees, which can make it cheaper to send money.

  3. Security and privacy: Bitcoin transactions are more secure as they’re linked to the previous block, creating a secure chain of information. Plus, BTC doesn’t require you to share personal details, which can help protect your privacy.

  4. Investment: Some people buy Bitcoin as an investment, hoping it will increase in value over time. Since there is a capped supply of 21 million Bitcoins, some people think it will become more valuable, like gold.

What are the risks of Bitcoin?

While BTC has many benefits, there are also risks that users should be aware of. Since it works differently from regular money, it comes with challenges that can make it risky for beginners and investors. Here are some of the main concerns:

  1. Price volatility: The price of BTC can go up and down a lot. One day, it might be worth a lot of money, and the next day, its value could drop quickly. This makes BTC a risky investment.

  2. Rules and regulations: Since Bitcoin is new, governments around the world are still deciding how to handle it. Some countries have banned it, while others are still figuring out the best way to regulate it. This can make using BTC risky in some places.

  3. Hacks and scams: While Bitcoin is secure, its ecosystem is not immune to risks. If you don’t store your Bitcoin safely, someone could steal it. There have also been fake Bitcoin investment schemes that take people’s money without giving anything in return.

  4. Hard to understand: For beginners, using Bitcoin can be confusing. Setting up a wallet, knowing how to send BTC, and keeping it safe can be tricky if you don’t know much about it.

The future of Bitcoin

Bitcoin has already changed how people think about money, but its future is still uncertain. Here are some possible developments for Bitcoin’s future:

  1. Wider adoption by businesses: More companies are starting to accept Bitcoin as payment. Online stores, casinos like Bitcasino.io and even some real-world businesses, let you pay with Bitcoin instead of cash or credit cards.

  2. Large firm investment: Large companies, like Tesla, have started buying Bitcoin. This could make Bitcoin more stable and trustworthy as more big names get involved.

  3. Better technology: Bitcoin’s technology is constantly improving. For example, there’s a new system called the Lightning Network that makes Bitcoin transactions faster and cheaper. This could help Bitcoin become efficient and accessible in the future.

  4. Government rules: Governments are still figuring out how to regulate BTC. Some countries like El Salvador have accepted them as legal tenders, while others might put more rules in place. How governments decide to treat Bitcoin will affect its future.

Bitcoin in casino games and sports betting

Bitcoin is increasingly becoming a preferred method for playing online casino games and placing bets on sports like football, as everybody loves soccer, basketball, and more online. One huge advantage is that BTC transactions are faster than using credit cards or bank transfers. You don’t have to wait long to deposit money or cash out your winnings.

With BTC, players don’t need to share personal details, which can provide an added layer of privacy and security. This is especially appealing in online gambling, where users prefer to keep their financial details private. BTC transactions also come with lower fees than traditional payment methods, allowing bettors to keep more of their winnings.

How can you start using Bitcoin?

If you’re interested in BTC, getting started is easier than you think. Whether you want to invest, use it for transactions, or just learn more, following these steps will help you begin:

  1. Get a wallet: The first step is to get a digital wallet to store your Bitcoin. There are many wallets to choose from, so pick one that’s safe and easy to use.

  2. Buy Bitcoin: To get Bitcoin, you can buy it from online exchanges like Coinbase or Binance. You can exchange your regular money (like US dollars or Japanese yen) for Bitcoin. Start small, and don’t invest money you can’t afford to lose.

  3. Stay safe: Security is important. Use strong passwords, set up two-factor authentication 2FA, and keep your BTC in a safe wallet. If you use an exchange, make sure it’s trustworthy.

  4. Learn more: Bitcoin can be confusing at first, so take your time to learn more. There are many resources online, including forums and websites, where you can ask questions and learn from other people who use BTC.

The next chapter of Bitcoin

Bitcoin is changing the way people think about money, and its future looks promising. As a digital and decentralised currency, it gives users more freedom and control over their finances.

While it’s still risky and a little complicated to use, its potential to transform financial systems is significant. Whether you want to invest in BTC or use it for transactions, learning how it works is the first step to being part of the digital currency world.