By FRANCO PANIZO
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — For most players, this month’s U.S. Men’s National Team camp was just part of the initial phases in the beginning of a new four-year cycle.
For Brad Guzan and Nick Rimando, it was much more than that.
Guzan and Rimando continued their competition for the starting U.S. goalkeeper spot left vacant by Tim Howard in August, each trying to make a case for why they should be the one to fill the big gloves left behind by the veteran. What is at stake for them is not only a chance at becoming the first-choice goalkeeper ahead next summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, but also the opportunity to potentially be in the driver’s seat for when World Cup qualifying rolls around in a couple years’ time.
Having spent so many camps together in recent years serving as Howard’s understudies, the two men have maintained a friendly relationship in the midst of this competition. But make no mistake, both Guzan and Rimando are fully aware that there is a golden ticket to be won.
“You don’t become a professional to sit on the bench,” Guzan told SBI. “You always want to play – whether you’re with your national team, your club team. You don’t get to the highest level of being able to represent your country by taking the easy way, so you want to play games, you want to be the guy that’s called upon to make big saves.
“For me, it’s a huge opportunity and something that I’m looking forward to.”
Guzan’s ambitious attitude towards the goalkeeper battle should not come as a surprise given that the 30-year-old goalkeeper has long been touted the heir to Howard’s throne. As strong as Guzan’s claim is to being Howard’s eventual replacement, Rimando isn’t quite ready to cede that title.
While Guzan has been with the U.S. for the better part of nine years, Rimando earned his first cap in late 2002. He has been in and out of the international picture since, and only really carved out a regular role once Jurgen Klinsmann took the reigns.
At 35 years 0ld, Rimando knows he will likely not have a better shot at becoming the first-choice goalkeeper for the U.S. and is just as hungry as Guzan is to convince Klinsmann why he should be the starter.
“Whenever the opportunity comes like this, you’ve got to grab it with both hands,” said Rimando. “For me, it’s about just taking that opportunity and running with it and when you’re on the field being there for your team and showing why you deserve to wear the crest.
“Obviously, I think goalkeeper is a different position than field players because there’s only one player in goal. If I can go out there and do what I can and prove to my teammates and Jurgen why I need to be on the field, that’s what I’m trying to do. If it’s not in the training field, it’s in the game.”
Both players have looked mostly solid for the U.S. three games into the new cycle. Guzan went largely untested in the first 45 minutes of September’s 1-0 road win vs. the Czech Republic before waking way at halftime for Nick Rimando, who put forth a heroic outing in between the pipes to keep the Americans from losing their lead.
Guzan was nearly as impressive in a 90-minute outing on Oct. 10 against Ecuador, making a string of eye-opening saves – including on a clean breakaway in the first half – before getting beat by a strike from distance in the 1-1 draw. Still, his command of the penalty area and ability to come up big helped strengthen his case.
Rimando then had his turn to play from whistle to whistle, doing so with a sturdy showing in the 1-1 tie with Honduras on Oct. 14 that was slightly dented by a rare bad pass out of the back that led to a dangerous chance in the first half.
That each of the two veterans have performed solidly thus far despite Klinsmann’s experimenting with the lineup should not come as a surprise. Both players are currently in good form at the club level, with Rimando being a candidate for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for his latest stellar season with Real Salt Lake and Guzan helping Aston Villa to a strong start in the Premiership campaign before a recent string of bad results.
“I feel good, I feel healthy, I feel sharp, I feel like I’m playing my best soccer right now,” said Rimando, who has 16 caps. “I think games come with confidence and I’ve had a lot of those recently, and being called in obviously brings your confidence and playing with the best players in the States obviously helps.
“Right now, my confidence is high and I feel like I’m playing great and I just want to keep rolling, keep it going.”
Guzan and the Villans, meanwhile, have fallen on hard times, losing their last four league matches by way of shutout after posting three clean sheets and going undefeated at 3-0-1. It has been a mixed start overall, but a decent one given that they have played the majority of the top clubs in the Premiership.
“We got off to a really good start the first couple of games, and before the last four games if you would’ve said we’d have taken three draws out of those four, you probably would’ve taken it,” said Guzan, who has 27 U.S. appearances. “It just so happened that we were able to beat Liverpool. Obviously, a tough result against Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City, three teams that are probably going to be competing for the league title and probably do something in Europe.
“When you play against those teams, you always face a difficult challenge but for us it’s now focused on we get back to business and hopefully we pick up more points.”
As of now, there appears to be no clear-cut leader in the competition. Guzan might seem to have the edge to some because he’s younger and more athletic, but Rimando is tidier with the ball at his feet and more capable of building out of the back like Klinsmann has stated he wants.
The uncertainty as to who will start will continue for at least another camp, but for now the U.S. can be content in knowing that it has two in-form goalkeepers playing their best in order to try and earn the starting spot in the net.
“It goes really well. They’re loving it,” said Klinsmann. “They push each other in training … so it’s a good process. It really keeps them on their toes and Brad takes that very positively. Obviously, Nick is thrilled that he is still having this opportunity to continue to fight for a starting spot. It’s good energy. They’re good guys.”
In addition to Hamid and Johnson, doesn’t Luia Robles at least deserve to be in the discussion?
*Luis
For me this competition is excellent and superb to watch. Both have been performing at a high level during their chances, and it can only make both stronger.
The interesting question is– when is judgment day? I’d be surprised (not entirely I suppose) if we chose to go to the Gold Cup 2015 with a keeper rotation. Somebody has to “win” by then…. when/how will this be decided? Right now, it’s no quarter…
Wait, I thought JK hated everything MLS related. what gives?
Obviously, the US is – and has been – stacked at the GK position. Either Rimando or Guzan is a great choice. However, it has to be Guzan. He’s been proving it for a while now at the highest level.
Honestly, I’d like to see Bill Hamid get a chance ahead of Rimando. He is far more gifted physically and has been the better keeper in MLS this season. He’s always been an elite reaction/shot stopper guy, but you can tell he really put in the effort to step up the mental aspects (distribution/positioning/consistency/attitude) of his game this season.
Both are great but don’t under estimate Rimando because he’s short. MLS has plenty of big and tall players so It means little to say he couldn’t hack international competition for that reason.
If Rimando does become the first team keeper many will be surprised but at this point nothing kinsman does should come as a surprise.
Rimando is undoubtedly a great keeper but he hasn’t been the #1 and he probably never will.
Has Guzan ever been the #1? Rimando has actualy been the #1 through a successful tournament (2013 Gold Cup). Guzan hasn’t had that chance, but some might suggest Rimando is actually in front this way.
wish we had this level of competition at the forward position…
both are great keepers but Guzan is the clear choice. glad that JK has not just handed it to him – he will have to win it and Rimando is a worthy competitor who absolutely deserves a chance.
It has to be Guzan. Rimando has too much hair. Only bad guys are allowed to start at the World Cup.
Rimando is bad.
Succinct commentary here. Completely asinine and wrong. But succinct. I wonder what it would be like if you knew what you were talking about…
Oh wait, “bald”. I get it now. Still not entirely correct though. 😉
Jurgen Klinsmann took the REINS when he begain his REIGN as the monarch in the technical area on a day without RAIN.
Frank?
lol
Not Frank, but Frank’s cousin from SPAIN.
My impersonation, “WHERES BABY KLINSMAN IN THE PECKIN ORDER?”
Guzan spent 4 years riding on the bench at ASTON VILLA and pretty much spent 5 years as no.2 to Howard. He isn’t gonna be denied that no.1 spot
Guzan starts in the EPL and has the trademark bald head of US star netminders
Rimando plays in MLS is 35 and is a dwarf in net
What’s so difficult, Jürgen?
It is all about competition for each spot; that is Klinsmann’s way. I agree with that approach; no need to let anyone think they can rest on their laurels.
Seriously? But Rimando plays in MLS and is 35 and is 5’9.
where are Hamid and Johnson? They need to be in contention for the NT and playing in Europe
Yeah let’s just make all decisions based on the club people play for. No need to take into account anything else.
Plus, Nick Rimando has a UTI
I would take Hamid any day as the #2. He should be playing at Inter. He’s too good for MLS.
Once Hamid goes bald the job is his.
I respect Rimando a lot and am glad that he wears the US badge. But I do not think there is a question who is #1 outside of Timmy. The biggest deciding factor is size. Rimando is just so short. He does seem to have excellent positioning skills because he never seems to get burned b/c of size very often but vs. top international competition, i can see him getting into trouble.
Vs. Honduras, he somehow managed to come up with the ball most of the time on those corners and crosses but it was uneasy. Each one was shaky. Guzan has a much better presence in the air.
Guzan is also much more polished in his distributing.
So I like the fact that guys are hungry for spots but as long as Guzan keeps on his game and Timmy is not in the lineup, he is the # 1. I would argue that by 2018, Guzan will be #1 regardless of Timmy being there or not. The combination of Guzan hitting his peak during that time and Timmy on the decline (as slight as it may be). That will be interesting to watch.
Completely agree with everything you said, and like you I do still respect Rimando a lot.
Guzan got outplayed by Rimando recently. So even though Rimando came back to earth, Guzan is not necessarily worthy of the pantheon yet.
I did think Rimando struggled in the air and worse that Honduras tried to exploit it.
I don’t think anyone is putting him into any pantheon right now, but I don’t think it’s an outlandish statement to say Guzan is our best all around keeper after Timmy right now. I hope Hamid takes the jump to the next level soon though, I think we all know he has massive potential and just might be starting to scratch the surface of it.
Everyone knows the USMNT keeper must be bald.
Howard…..Kellar……Friedel…..The Begining of time
Belittle Meola at your own risk, my friend…. 1994 tells a different story.