Is Perkins the next great American goalkeeper?

[Yankee_Devil]

The next great American Keeper or is it too early to tell?

I realy like this kid, he has made that goal his own this year. And against Chealsea he certainly showed me something there.

[slip2break]

The next great American Keeper or is it too early to tell?

I realy like this kid, he has made that goal his own this year. And against Chealsea he certainly showed me something there.

Its too early to tell, simply because there is no head coach. If PN some how ended up as the head coach, then I'd think it opens a door for Troy to challenge for the 2nd or 3rd slot sooner rather then later. If its another MLS coach get the job... Troy would also get a look along with a list of MLS and non-MLS based keepers, but I would think that a new surpirse keeper (a coaches favorite) would become the wild card. If its a non-MLS coach, I think it kills Troy's chances unless he moves overseas.

This question might best be raised with a more neutral audience on the Nats section....

[Colonial717]

It's too early to tell.

[voyager]

It's a nice thought, really. But I do agree that it's too early to tell. He has had a great season, for sure, but one good season does not a national team keeper make. Hopefully next season, after winning an MLS Cup, he will continue with this great form. Then you might hear his name getting called more often.

[Sachin]

He's not. How do you expect him to start in a World Cup when he has all his hair?

Sachin

[Claymore]

He's not there yet, but he has definitely improved this season.

[TEConnor]

Impossible to judge the future of a very young keeper. Think Timmay H, he seemed a lock to be a world star two to three years ago. Age and experience are enormous. He needs a lot of time in important matches before we see what he can really do.

Tim

[John_Harkes_6]

People were saying the same thing Guzan last year - now he is stuck on the bench behind a 45 year-old A-Leaguer -- who is bald by the way so fits the bill for being a USMNT keeper.

[tab5g]

The next great American Keeper or is it too early to tell?

it is difficult to use only MLS competition (and exhibitions against pre-season UEFA star-studded teams) as a yardstick for measuring greatness in a goalkeeper.

July 29, 1981 is Perkins' D.O.B.
March 6, 1979 is Tim Howard's D.O.B., although Howard bypassed college and has several more years of pro experience.

the battle for USMNT goalkeeping playing time will always be difficult.

[tab5g]

People were saying the same thing Guzan last year - now he is stuck on the bench behind a 45 year-old A-Leaguer -- who is bald by the way so fits the bill for being a USMNT keeper.

to be fair, Preston Burpo turns 34 in September http://chivas.usa.mlsnet.com/MLS/players/bio.jsp?team=cdc&player=burpo_p&playerId=bur504281&statType=current
while Guzan won't turn 22 until that same month.

and don't forget that Perkins resume also includes some minor league time:
----
Other Pro Experience
2002: Perkins backstopped the Cape Cod Crusaders (Premier Development League) to the club's first national championship, compiling a 16-4-2 record between the goal posts. In the championship game against the Boulder Rapids Reserve, he continued his regular season form, as the Crusaders took a 2-1 victory. His 0.87 goals-against average was the second lowest in the PDL for the 2002 season.
----
from http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/MLS/players/bio.jsp?team=dcu&player=perkins_t&playerId=per369809&statType=current

[shepchews]

A) Troy Perkins is a demigod sent to the eearthly plane to demonstrate god's amazing grace.

B) Baldness is a sign of sexual virility.

[JoeSoccerFan]

Who knows, keepers generally come into their own later than field players.


I don't think Perkins will be a USNT player. Can he get a few caps? Probably. Will he be consistently on the team as 1st or 2nd? I doubt it.

[nobletea]

Well invoking the seer of seers, Championship Manager, he is described as "the next Brad Friedel"-- and that's based on last season.

The fragility of young keepers is all wrapped up in their confidence. When they have it, they're good and when they don't, they're awful. This is true of all players, but young keepers in particular, I think.

Peter has got Troy riding high. I think Perkins can maintain his form over the season, but don't be surprised if he crashes-- aka Timmy Howard and Guzan. It doesn't take much for a young keeper to lose "it".

[skippy]

IMO Perkins is way to inexperienced to seriously be considered among the top five or so US GKs right now. His judgment is extremely suspect at times. I'm not much of one for checking old game tapes, but it seems a large number of the GA's this year have come when Perkins has made a mental mistake and ended up out of position. That being said, those mistakes come of a supreme confidence in his physical abilities which is only slightly out of whack with his actual abilities.

Two years from now, well, that could be a different story.

Baldness is a sign of sexual virility.

Claiming baldness is a sign of sexual virility is a sign of baldness. :D

[fatbastard]

Claiming baldness is a sign of sexual virility is a sign of baldness. :Dyep, you notice he didn't say what kind of sign, high or (most likely) low :)

[gnat]

B) Baldness is a sign of sexual virility.
Being bald in front is supposed to be sexy.

Being bald in back is supposed to show you are a thinker.

If you are bald in the front and the back, you just think you are sexy.

:D

-dave

(forgot where I heard that)

[scarshins]

Maybe. Best DC player the past 2 months, he's riding a wave right now. I will disagree with Skippy and state Perkins has made almost NO mistakes for 3 months. Really pretty amazing. He's very composed when the ball comes in in the air. He's making great stuffs on breakaways, he seems to have found his technique there. In my opinion, which should be everyone's opinion :D defense always comes first for keepers. If a keeper is saving everything he possibly can, then one can overlook some just OK distribution or foot skills. But even there, playing the ball with his feet, he's been doing OK lately...

[JayJay4Pres]

Can I hold out hope and say Rimando is the next US Nats keeper? Seriously though, to early to tell...

[CLEATS]

Right now the kid is doing great.Even looks like a world class keeper.I know it's early but his future looks very bright indeed.

[ursula]

to be fair, Preston Burpo turns 34 in September http://chivas.usa.mlsnet.com/MLS/players/bio.jsp?team=cdc&player=burpo_p&playerId=bur504281&statType=current
while Guzan won't turn 22 until that same month.



Can we really BELIEVE the propaganda Chivas is putting out? I sure CAN'T. They are lying about his age for their own nefarious purposes but where this really HURTS the US fan is thinking he's got a FUTURE with the Nats when he's really peaking RIGHT NOW. Burpo's 45 if he's a day. WHO really knows what "Burpo's" been DOING all these years? Don't believe ME? There's only ONE TEST that will ALLAY our FEARS:

Bone scan!