Best Players in Collegiate Soccer (2016 Edition)

I think Ginny McGowan and Jennifer Westendorf of Notre Dame will one day belong near the top of the list. McGowan is already looking as solid as Roccaro and Naughton. Westendorf had two goals in her first collegiate game.

As for the current list, no Savannah McCaskill from South Carolina? I know the SEC doesn't get a lot of respect, but she is really solid.

 

S. Jordan does not have enough pace and athleticism, IMO, to play for the national team. There is no denying
her poaching ability, however, as she has scored more than 50 goals in her collegiate career, I think.

 

Hey, all credit to Jordan. She has had an absolutely amazing career. I've seen her play and she has never wowed me with her physical skills or athletic prowess--but she gets great service from her teammates and knows how to put the ball in the net, and that is the name of the game. Has she ever had a tryout with the national team?

 

Not with the full team as far as I know. She played with the U-23's in the Nordic Tournament this summer.

 

ESPN3 is a great resource for watching these games. Recently, I watched the ND- Wisconsin game. I was specifically watching Rose Lavelle. I really liked her a couple years ago in the U20 wc but thought she was playing too far back as an 8 or even 6 behind first Pugh (unsuccessful as a 10 and moved out wide after the first game) and then Horan. However, she looks very slight and didn't have as much impact as I would have thought out there in the college game. She clearly has excellent quickness, agility, technique, and vision (soccer IQ).

However I thought she was not moving enough or with enough effectiveness without the ball and wasn't pressuring/challenging enough on defense as the "10 in the hole". She had several dangerous forays into the attacking third, one at least resulting in a near miss shot, but really wasn't terribly impactful. Some of it may have been her team's having trouble finding her, or trouble making a run for Rose to play a final ball in, but I really thought she could have done more to make herself available and to disturb ND shape. Her relatively conservative play, may be related to college soccer's crazy schedule and trying to prevent overuse and another injury. I haven't seen her play internationally recently. Does anyone have any additional insight? maybe I just saw an off game. The commentators clearly loved her, and she had some impressive moments, but I have to say I was a little surprised. maybe Wisconsin is just a weak team and she doesn't have enough support. Would be interested in any else's opinion. Will be watching the rest of the season when I can.

 

That video is mostly fluff and repetition of a few highlights. make no mistake, I am a fan after seeing her with the u20s, but was not as impressed with her performance against ND. I am going to try and watch some more games, but wondered if anyone had any more insight (I did not find your comment particularly helpful).

 

Have to say, you always do elicit debate with your posts which is always good.

I am curious that you forgot Kailen Sheridan who is the senior keeper for Clemson Tigers and is the prime reason why the Tigers have made such a massive improvement and climbed the rankings and gotten into the ACC playoffs and NCAA tournament. She is head and shoulders better then any goal keeper in the ACC yet you have Jane Campbell on your list but not Kailen. If you watch any of the Clemson games, much of their offense and defense revolves around Sheridan. She frequently sets the attack because she has the ability to punt 60 yard kicks down the field so quite frequently when the Tigers get the ball, they pass back to Sheridan and then she punts the ball forward allowing a quick transition on the counter. On defense, they use her as a 3rd defender, she will sit outside the box with the ball and try to draw an attacker to her so she can then create an odd man situation for the Tigers when they counter.

She is the prototypical goal keeper that you want in the modern era of football. Quick, fast, able to cover her box. Quick feet so she can play the ball outside the box. Booming kicks that allow her team to go on the counter right away. Strong reflexes and ability to make reflex saves. And her air control is top notch.

Its very hard to put true freshman and rank them accordingly. Even though Mallory Pugh is a very good player, she is only 18. She hasn't learnt everything yet, to say she will be at the top is hard to say especially when you have Kadeisha Buchanan playing who is a senior, has played in World Cups, Olympics and is a stud of a defender. And Pugh is more then likely going pro from the look of things.

Opinions aside, I do agree if Mallory were playing this year in College, she would be one of the top players in the nation.

As for those players making it into the World Cup roster for 2019. I don't see it happening even though I would like to see more players break it into the Senior team. I think there is a case, that almost every player on the Olympic roster will be back in 3 years time for the World Cup. Even though some of them will be on the wrong side of 30 and most of them will be in their 30's. I just don't see any attempt to move the veterans out and bring in new blood.

But you can always hope.