Tim Howard. He played half a season of MLS then an entire EPL season (barring his time off last month) including the champions league. His play suffered with the rest of United towards the end of the season but he has single handedly kept the team in games with some ridiculous saves. Carlos would be my second pick... he had a good season... but that red card tackle was really bad. That takes something away from it.
You would think so, but Bocanegra came in and started every game he could possibly play, and did very very well. Without that red card, he would have been a lock at his position and I imagine that he'll a fixture there next season. Tim's position is still up in the air, even for the FA Cup final.
Maybe I'm a bit biased, but Howard has a chance to win major silverware. Boca and McBride had great half-seasons, but really there isn't much competition here.
Tim's position is ONLY up in the air for the FA Cup final, and that's due to SAF really owing Roy Carroll something for always filling in adequately over the last three or four years without bitching about playing time. Tim-may's the starter come the beginning of the season.
At first glance it appears clear cut for Tim. He overall had a great first season. In the early part of the season he was sensational, he then tapered off along with the rest of ManU. Carlos, however, also had a great first EPL season (or half season). He started pretty much every time he was eligible. He was often singled out for praise by his manager and IIRC he was once or twice named MOTM. Yes he did have that one horrible tackle but that does not erase the good he did for Fulham this year. The other to consider is Kasey. He played every minute of every match for Tottenham for the second consecutive year. That is an impressive achievement and even if there were some lapses this season by Kasey and his defense he was still in there every minute of every match. Overall though given the entire season and where he was playing I would give it to Tim Howard. He played in the EPL, Champions League, FA Cup, etc. and showed that he belonged on every level.
Ouch... I feel bad for Claudio. Ravaged by injuries yet again. Only time will tell if he can once again regain the form that made him arguably the greatest American soccer player ever. ("Arguably" being the key word here folks!) Lee
Wow I am a big fan of Claudio's ability, but I'd never claim he's been the best American player ... too many injuries and too little praise from abroad. Anyway, at first glance I thought... Howard wins this easily. Then I thought about Boca who did very well at Fulham and helped them to their highest ever final standing. In the end, I went for Howard. Too bad Keller and Friedel had subpar years for much of the season... but it happens... and this year it seemed many many keepers had trouble spots (just look at Kahns bloopers in Germany)
Agreed on every count-- and he's got United on the brink of some silverware, as will be proven this weekend.
Kasey Keller didn't have a subpar year. His team did. In several games he was the only thing keeping his team from getting completely thrashed.
Um.... Are you including goalkeepers? If not, Claudia Reyna is so obviously the best American ever that it is barely worth debating. Starter at center mid in the Bundesliga (captain), Rangers, and EPL, leader of the USA's far and away best WC finish, etc. No other American comes close. Harkes and Ramos had negligible top division careers. McBride has done well, but you'd have to give him credit for his MLS years, which don't compare to Reyna's experience. O'Brien is even more injured than Claudio. Am I missing some superstar? I don't think so.