He would be a new yank abroad if he had not already been called into the Republic of Irelands U19 squad. Apparently his father is an American basketball player, Darren is a goalkeeper with Charlton http://www.soccercentral.ie/viewstory.asp?mainheading=Republic of Ireland&id=13034&viewstory=yes
here is his profile from Charlton http://www.charlton-athletic.co.uk/sub_Academyplayerdisplay.ink?skip=11&season=2003/2004
Sounds like he was their GK for U-17 Euro qualifying. While that likely means he will remain w/ Ireland, there's no reason he can't be talked about on here. He wasn't likely to get into the US National setup at the GK position anyway. Besides, we talk about Stern John and people with much less linkage to US soccer than him on this board. He can be Ireland's Paul Rachubka Now I know a bit about basketball, but his dad's name barely rings a bell. Let's see if we can find anything...
I know his Dad is from Florida, but has lived in Ireland for more than 20 years, and was/ maybe still is/ a forward in the Irish Superleague. He also coaches. Don't know anything about if this guy was a really good B-ball player in the US. http://www.basketballireland.ie/asp/club_player.asp?leagueID=12&teamID=9&PlayerID=206&archive=
Darren Randolph has returned from his loan to Hereford and signed a one-year contract with Charlton for 09/10.
Well this guy is interesting he's considered 'controversial' for refusing to play at Hereford because the team had interest in another goalkeeper. Also according to Wikipedia, he has represented Ireland in basketball.
Hibs put 3 past Randolph as he starts for Motherwell: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=299546&cc=5901&league=SCO.1 Sounds like he had a decent game, nonetheless: "Motherwell started brightly but almost fell behind in the fifth minute when Stokes took advantage of a slip by Mark Reynolds, but Darren Randolph steered the Irishman's effort wide with his foot... Randolph again came to Motherwell's rescue when he pushed over Kevin McBride's powerful 16-yard strike following a poor clearance from Reynolds. ...Randolph produced another great save when he pushed away a stunning 30-yard shot by Stokes from wide on the left."
Started vs. Aberdeen: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=295940&league=SCO.1&cc=5901 Looking ahead to Brazil, name 3 guys you'd rather bring to Brazil than this guy (were he so inclined). Given the choice, who would you rather start right now, Randolph or Guzan?
Care to provide some reasoning for that statement or are you expecting to get your point across through bald assertion?
This kid has just become a starter for giants Motherwell. In a league that's not hard to start at goalkeeper in. He may be something special. But then, wouldn't Ireland have called him up at the very least?
He's young and has been involved in the Irish youth set-up. My point is not that he is world-class, my point is that we are not 3-deep with quality GKs looking ahead to 2014 and that right now our backup doesn't get any time for his club in league play. Randolph starts regularly in a decent league (better than MLS), facing European-competition-caliber clubs like Celtic and Rangers several times a year. He certainly deserves a look if he has any interest in playing for us. Marcus Hahnemann will be done by 2014 and consider our options to fill his spot on the roster: Rimando, Perkins, Pickens, Seitz, etc. may be better, may not. And I'm not even sure Guzan is, especially right now when he's only starting intermittently in Cup games.
Howard is 31. Shay Given is 34. If I'm Randolph, playing for Ireland is a no-brainer. Many American MLS goalies are much better than Shay Given's backups. And I would also argue that even thought the Scottish League might be better than MLS, outside of the top 2 teams, a "big money transfer" will be no more than $500,000 and teams will want to spend that money and positions other than goalkeeper. If Motherwell get into a European position, then maybe he could be considered, but chances are Ireland will call first, and rightly so
I agree he is more likely to play for Ireland, particularly having represented them at youth level and having grown up & currently living in the British Isles. But why not call him and ask? Why not invite him to a camp? It does no harm if he says no. He could provide some very credible competition for those backup spots to the MLS guys & the guy who is 2nd choice at Villa.
Started again vs Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=308908&league=SCO.CIS&cc=5901
