that's the fair comparison I think if, Ochoa and Guzan are pretty much the exact same keeper, for better or for worse.
I think Guzan is a better keeper than Ochoa....................but its close. If Guzan is our starting keeper at the World Cup in 2018, we'll be fine. I think we saw this past weekend that Guzan is more than capable of getting the job done in challenging circumstances. One can argue that Brad Guzan earned us a point in that game. To me there's a weird contradiction about Guzan on these boards. His positive play for the USMNT on the field doesn't match the negative comments made by poster about him. In the overwhelming number of games he's played for the USMNT, he's been really good. He'll have a bad game now and again, but he seems to be judged more harshly for that than the field players. I think the day has also come when we stop judging keepers by whether they're in Europe or not. MLS has starting paying keepers much more money to stay, and its a better league than it was 10 or 15 years ago. Ethan Horvath is playing for a club in Belgium. So what......................that doesn't mean he's actually better than a single one of his MLS competitors. He needs to prove that by his play on the field. So far he's played in what.............4 league games for Brugge?
I would also agree that if given the choice between the two id have Guzan starting over Ochoa, slightly.
Guzan made a couple of real top-quality saves during a 20 minute stretch (maybe 50th minute thru 70th minute) when Panama was completely dominating proceedings. Even on the goal we conceeded, he made a nice stop on a shot. That rebounded out, the attacker beat a couple of defenders.................and it went thru. Blame can be assigned (if folks are into that sort of thing) all over the place on that goal, but not on Guzan in my view. I just think our standards are sooooooooooooo high based on Howard, Friedel, Keller, etc. that we're missing the fact that Guzan is pretty darn good. He's more than capable of getting the job done.
hopefully we wrap things up with a clear cut win in the next game. I wanna see Hamid against Nicaragua
Cuzan had the best game I have seen him have for quite some time. He was very good. Still don't like that he isn't more aggressive in coming out to grab floating long balls but that is more my preference than a necessity. I have not been a fan of his for a bit now. But he earned us the draw.
I think Ochoa is under rated around here. I think Guzan is under rated around here... he's a very solid GK who is about one step down from our top guys. He's gone through very rough stretch and would imagine he will regain his confidence with this tournament and once returning to MLS. It isn't where they play, but where they have played in the past. Howard wouldn't be near the goalkeeper he is if he would have stayed in MLS. The same goes for Keller, Freidel, Guzan, Hanneman, etc (even though MLS wasn't initially an option). The significantly higher level of play, the competition for spots, and scrutiny he was under made a much better goalkeeper and significantly mentally stronger. Here's the mistake at 1:15 that was the beginning of the end for Howard at Manchester United. In March 2004, however, Howard's poor parry handed a last minute goal to Porto, eliminating United from the UEFA Champions League.[15] The error appeared to shatter Howard's confidence and he was replaced by Roy Carroll.[citation needed]After a period of rest, Howard reclaimed his starting position ahead of Carroll for the 2004 FA Cup Final, picking up a winner's medal. He was the second American player to collect a winner's medal in the FA Cup, after Julian Sturgis of Wanderers in the 1873 final. Howard was also named in the PFA Best XI in his first season at Manchester United.[citation needed] In Howard's second season with Manchester United, he started poorly, making several errors and was dropped again for Carroll. After Carroll made several errors as well, Howard regained the starting position but his performances were unconvincing, leading to Carroll regaining his place again, playing in the FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal. Roy Carrol was incredibly average goalkeeper and Howard was significantly more talented but they still split time in 14/15 season. How many times do MLS goalkeepers make mistakes like the one Timmy made against Porto and it's not even mentioned. Hamid gets hurt every year and then immediately walks back into the starting line up the minute he is healthy. Horvath being in Belgium doesn't mean anything today, but over time it will give him an advantage over his competition. I've said before that I have no basis for putting any one of Horvath, Steffen, or Gonzalez over the others, but if plays there for two years and then moves on to a higher level while others stay in MLS, I'd think it is very likely that he will obviously be ahead of them.
Was the mistake really that bad of a mistake or is it just the pressure from it got to him? Cause he def could have stayed at Man United for years being a reliable no.2 and collecting trophies and $$$$. Though I believe the move to Everton pushed him. I believe it was 09 where he was ranked a top 10 keeper in the world. I'm sure many would criticize this but at his peak he was among the best in the PL and probably one of the top 15 keepers in the world.
It wouldn't be a surprise if Guzan figures in the next World Cup qualifying cycle. Don't expect him to be the #1 the whole way -- I think/hope one of the younger guys can claim the starting job shortly after 2018 -- but he could serve a backup and mentor role for most of the cycle, even possibly at the 2022 WC itself.
I think much of the negative opinion of Guzan recently comes from his club performances. Guzan's a fine, solid keeper, but I do feel he's on the decline and not as reliable as he once was. For example, I wouldn't feel comfortable starting him in the World Cup. It's unfortunate for him, that his prime has been overshadowed by Tim Howard's sustained longevity. Even when Howard does hang up the gloves for good - I think the team should be looking for a keeper of the future and Guzan will be just a stopgap. Of course - I'd be delighted if he proves me wrong. Looked quite good against Panama.
It was a combination. It's a mistake a Manchester United GK is expected to make at a very inopportune time, the pressure that came from it, and the inability to regain the trust of the coach. In the end, Van Der Saar was a significant improvement and the type of move clubs like that have to make. Howard had tons of potential at that point but wasn't a polished GK at that level and arguably too big of a jump at that time. Moving on was probably the best thing for him at the time as not much point sitting on the bench. Howard was 24 when he made the move. Horvath could have two years at Brugge at the same age. He'll be better prepared than Timmy was for such a move but still a big jump. Those spots are for the best in the world... the Buffons, De Geas, Casillas, Courtois, Cechs, Donnarummas, etc might be able to handle in their early 20s, but usually more veteran players fill them.
I'm still in awe that arguably 1 of the top 3 biggest clubs in the world selected a US keeper from MLS. Was it a real shock? I'm amazed United didn't go for a Buffon or Casillas back then. How good was Howard in 2002/03? Was he just expected to be a no2 or really challenge as a no1?
He wasn't even the first MLS keeper to go directly to a big 20 European club on transfer (Liverpool is listed at #7 while ManU is at #3). Fielded went to Liverpool on transfer from Columbus in 1997.
Good point but I'd wager (despite being a fan of Liverpool) United were a bigger club ($$$ global reach) in 03 than Liverpool was in 97.
To answer part of your question though, he was signed to be the starter. He beat out Fabien Barthez, the French national team starter. I imagine he was signed because he was young and had a lot of promise. Howard has also won goalie of the year two years in a row in MLS. As is typical, he was also a deal at 4 million dollars as opposed to the 7.8 million pounds paid for the Barthez transfer. Howard like Friedel had a solid start and then a few really bad games. The leash is short for the top teams, but I would argue it is even shorter for a US player (how else did David James keep his spot in Liverpool all those years). That said Man U was a tough nut to crack. I think Ferguson used 10 goalies between Schmeichel and va der Saar. I did find this one anecdote from a UK football site. Of the 10 keeps between Shcmeichel and van der Saar, Howard received the most praise. "Howard is often regarded as flop. He wasn’t a success, but time has showed that it wasn’t the most misguided of decisions. Howard has gone on to become a Premier League stalwart with Everton and although it didn’t work out for him with United, the scouting system clearly correctly identified the player’s talent. It was certainly the wrong place at the wrong time for Howard, although I suspect even at his best, he would still be too error-prone for Sir Alex."
I don't doubt ManU were more valuable and I had them listed at #3, but Liverpool is also a huge global club. Not sure if we would treat it much different if it was Real Madrid versus Bayern Munich? regardless, that year ManU was defending a championship and finished 2nd and Liverpool finished 3rd.
Nice article on Jonathan Klinsmann. Didn't seem to have a very impressive resume heading into the U20 World Cup, but he had a pretty good tournament, especially against Venezuela. Hope he does well at Hertha. http://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/B...hertha-berlin-s-new-usa-goalkeeper-454869.jsp
Guzan should be dropped. Howard won't save us like 2014. Guzan is going to continue to have howlers at Atlanta IMO. Ignored because experience and seniority within the group. Oh well.
was he that bad against Martinique? We better hope Arena recognizes Horvath and gives him a fighting chance to challenge for no2 or even no1
The best goalkeeper? That's pretty obvious: https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/07/13/midseason-awards-who-mls-goalkeeper-year-now
I don't know if I'd say he had a good tournament. He got better as the tournament went along. He nearly lost us the first game.
It's happening.gif So much for that fight. I'm now told Jesse Gonzalez has arrived in Cleveland & will be the 6th #USMNT knockout round replacement.— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) July 15, 2017