Team USA Part 1: Goalkeepers

Alright, alright, calm down you knuckleheads (unless you want a knuckle sandwich!!). The long awaited Team USA breakdown begins TODAY!!!

I will attempt to break it down for you all by position, and also I will separate the "up and coming youngsters" from the "old, over-the-hill veterans." So here's our current crop of GK's:



#. Player Name (Age)- Club Name

1. Tim Howard (29)- Everton F.C.

Howard is hands down the best active goalkeeper that Team USA has access to. This will be the sixth year he has played in the English Premiership (arguably the world's best league), though only his 4th season seeing regular playing time. Still, 4 years in the world's top flight is pretty impressive, and he has been holding his own as one of the most solid keepers in England. Make no mistake about it, Tim Howard is the here and now of American goalkeeping, getting almost all of the starts in competitive matches.

Individually, he won the 2001 MLS Goalkeeper of the year award. Woo hoo. Also he was named Humanitarian of the Year that same year.


2. Brad Friedel (37)- Aston Villa F.C.

You could argue that Friedel is the best American keeper of all time. You could argue that his current form is the best among American keepers. You could also argue that his career has been the most successful of any American player in history. All this to say that Friedel retired from international football, and has reiterated that he has no desire to return. So he's not really a part of Team USA

3. Brad Guzan (24)- Aston Villa F.C.

Just earlier in this year he was a part of a strong core of young Americans at Chivas USA, however his summer transfer saw an end to that era of his career.

Guzan is in my view the future of American keepers. He is clearly Friedel's heir at Villa. Guzan shows promise as a potential long-term "number 1" for the USMNT. Hopefully he does not slip back into the terrible form that he hit in his final season at Chivas USA, when he just had blunder after blunder. That said, just one year ago he was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

4. Chris Seitz (21)- Real Salt Lake

So far Seitz has not played for the senior USMNT, but he is clearly one to 'keep' an eye on (bad joke right there). I really don't know much about him to be honest, except that he is the next in the long line of sweet American keepers. Too bad for him that Brad Guzan is just 3 years his elder; this works to the USMNT's advantage, however, as they will hopefully be pushing each other for playing time (in the future).

5. Kasey Keller (38)- Seattle Sounders F.C.

What can I say about Kasey Keller? The man has been playing forever. I don't expect him to ever play for the USMNT again, but an amazing 102 caps for his country more than fills the minimum requirements of a great career. Keller is not currently playing footy, but will play for at least the inaugural season of Seattle Sounders F.C. in 2009.

6. Marcus Hahnemann (36)- Reading F.C.

Hahnemann has been at Reading since 2002, a solid wall in the goal all the while. He kind of got screwed in terms of USMNT experience, as he had to compete with Keller and Friedel his entire career. In my opinion he is not as talented as they are, but he has had a successful career nonetheless.

7. Joe Cannon (33)- San Jose Earthquakes

Cannon's first impression on me was one of misfortune- he was a solid keeper behind a terrible LA Galaxy defense when I first saw him play. He played quite well for San Jose this past season, starting all 30 matches. He won't be making any noise with the national team, however, as he is not nearly as talented nor as young as, say, Howard or Guzan.





Well, I guess that about does it for Goalkeepers. I really hope I didn't forget anybody. Anyways I will hopefully do defenders sometime soon. Good night, and good luck.