Star goalkeepers were something US Soccer was known for, but since the retirement of Tim Howard and the international retirement of Brad Guzan, that hasn’t been the case. The move to Europe was supposed to set Matt Turner and Zack Steffen up for future success, but things have changed. Steffen is back in Major League Soccer, while Turner is struggling for game time at Nottingham Forest. With the other goalkeepers in the national team pool being young, inexperienced or both, the future is left in an uncertain position.
Let’s see how the USMNT goalie image stands out in our power rankings:
1 |
Matt Turner |
Nottingham forest |
Turner may be the current number one, but that could change sooner or later. It is important for goalkeepers at every level to play so that they do not become rusty in important moments. If Turner doesn’t get a deadline-day move from Nottingham Forest, his USMNT future could be in the balance. |
2 |
Ethan Horvath |
Cardiff city |
With a few blunders and a lot of goals conceded so far, the only reason why Horvath holds his spot in this ranking is because he is the USMNT goalie who consistently plays at a higher level. |
3 |
Patrick Schulte |
Columbus crew |
After the big two, Schulte was one of the better performing players of anyone in the USMNT pool. Now with Olympic experience, Schulte is moving up the rankings, but he will have to fend off strong challenges from the goalkeepers behind him. |
4 |
Gaga Slonina |
Barnsley |
On to the next round of the EFL Cup with another shutout to his name, the move to Barnsley has been a good one so far. Now under pressure for promotion, Slonina has stopped everything in his path. He’s only 20 and could be someone who can skyrocket this ranking by the end of the year. |
5 |
Zack Steffen |
Colorado rapids |
While Steffen is back playing for the Rapids, he still concedes far too many goals when he is in the net. There isn’t much room for improvement left in Steffen’s game, so this could be where he is now. |
6 |
Chris Brady |
Chicago fire |
Brady, another member of the fire battalion, has been under fire all season. He still has work to do to eventually become a serious challenge for number one, but as a twenty-year member of this list there is a lot to like. |
7 |
Diego Cook |
Barcelona |
Kochen is only 18 and highly rated at Barcelona, but has yet to feature in the senior team. One for the future: The young people on this list are in good hands, but the present is shaky. |