By RYAN TOLMICH
For most of the past 12 years since his debut, Tim Howard has been the U.S. Men’s National Team’s go-to goalkeeper. With the Everton star taking a leave of absence following his now-legendary performance at the 2014 World Cup, the door has been opened for a whole new wave of American talent.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan appears to be the starter heading into the USMNT’s friendly with Colombia Friday. After three seasons as the Premier League side’s number one, Guzan has earned his look with the national team. But the 30-year old insists that he is aware of the up-and-comers coming up behind him.
“We’ve always said that we have a good group of goalkeepers and we’ll continue to push each other every time we’re together in camp and nothing’s changed in that aspect,” Guzan said Tuesday. “In terms of the battle, it’s always a battle in training between all four of us.
“Obviously, we have four of us in camp this time around but, like I said, it’s a healthy, competitive fight, because at the end of the day only one goalkeeper can play, but we have confidence in each other, we help each other and we push each other, and ultimately, that’s going to help the team. That’s the most important thing. We all want to play and you hope to get on the team sheet, but at the same time, it’s a good group of guys.”
Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann also pointed to the depth that the U.S. has at goalkeeper as Guzan is joined by Nick Rimando as the team’s most experienced keepers. Along with the two veterans, Klinsmann has also called in a pair of young guns, the Chicago Fire’s Sean Johnson and D.C. United’s Bill Hamid, who Klinsmann is looking forward to getting more looks at.
“It’s really important to bring everybody along and help everybody grow. We brought in Sean Johnson and Bill Hamid, too,” Klinsmann said. “They both had strong seasons. I think Bill, actually, made a huge jump this year in MLS with D.C. United with his performances. We know what we have in Nick Rimando. We have an outstanding goalkeeper over many years now. Here and there, (Guzan) won’t always be always available.
“Brad, with his experience already, having been here a long time in the Premier League, is just so beneficial for the other goalies to benefit from. It’s fun to see these guys work all for the same goal, obviously, even if only one can play tomorrow night.”
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What do you think of the USMNT’s current goalkeeping situation? Who do you see starting for the U.S. heading into the next World Cup?
Share your thoughts below.
12 years more like 8. Howard was no1 after the 2006 WC which he probably should have started instead of Keller
Timmy’s best is not better than Keller’s best. Timmy was not a better keeper than Keller in 2006.
Timmy might have, on occasion, been as good but he was never a better keeper than Kasey.
Man, that is such a tough call, yet you say it like it’s fact, lol. I don’t know. I saw Keller stone wall Brazil before the boys left for WC 2001 in LA. I’ve never seen a performance like that in my life. I’d be happy to have either of themat their best starting for us. But if I have to choose – it’s a break away and someone is bearing down on 1-on-1, I choose Howard. Quicker reflexes. Who do you choose and why?
“But if I have to choose – it’s a break away and someone is bearing down on 1-on-1, I choose Howard. Quicker reflexes. Who do you choose and why? “
Keller.
I’m betting you haven’t seen anywhere near as much of Keller at his best as you have of Timmy.
I could not tell you who has quicker reflexes. They both seem equal to me. But Kasey always seemed to have his positioning and his overall game down better. Many times keepers have to make spectacular athletic saves because they screwed up their positioning in the first place
For me the best keepers wind up making the fewer of the spectacular plays because they read the game well and are in position to make the stop or the save look routine.
Who would you rather have? A shortstop who knows the pitcher and the batter really well and positions himself so that when the batter hits the ground ball it is a routine ground ball right at him or a shortstop who isn’t that sharp but has the great athletic ability to make a spectacular dive to get to the ball?
For me Keller is the routine groundball while Timmy is the diving stop in the dirt.
Timmy has always made me nervous because he relied too much on his great athleticism. With Brad Guzan coming on the last few years and Martinez displacing Moyes at Everton Timmy has recently been challenged for his job with both club and country. And he has produced the best performances of his career.
But I still take Kasey. If the player pool was the four World Cup teams (2002,2006, 2010, 2014 ) and it was one game we had to win for your life my top three keepers are a tie for #1 between Keller and Freidel and Timmy is #3.
But you will be okay with any of the three. Keepers don’t win games, they either lose them for you or maintain what you have earned.
For some reason, I get a sneaking suspicion Howard will enjoy the extra time off and will not return to the Nats. Especially if Guzan shines and claims the spot in his absence.
I know Howard’s a competitor and I’m certainly not saying he’s still capable, but I get the impression he’d happily hand the reins off to Guzan in an approving fashion.
I agree, it would not shock me at all if he did that. Timmy is a great guy. But I still would rather have him in the goal.
Agreed. I think Tim is probably not going to come back unless it’s clear we are having a problem at GK, either due to injuries or an unexpected loss of form amongst Guzan & Rimando (and whoever else might be given an opportunity)
Hamid’s been terrific this year, but will Luis Robles ever get a look?