Well, sadly his injuries is what doomed him. All I'm saying is I suppose after their u-23 failures, JK froze them out. Maybe they deserved it, maybe they didn't. Maybe MLS was paying keepers a decent wage that very few decided to risk going abroad. Maybe foreign clubs didn't want to overpay for US keepers. But it def has had an effect on our current state of keepers. JK relying on Rimando and then Guzan going missing while he recalled Howard. Hamid and Johnson (perhaps its their own fault) should have taken initiative and maybe USSOCCER should have done more to get them out of MLS.
You are just plain wrong! JK didnt do anything to Hamid. He gave him a chance and he blew it. He invited to camp and he was injured again and again and again. Hamid has never been international quality and really hasnt shown the potential to be. He sucks at basic things that a 12 year old goalkeeper should be working on and likely have mastered. His poor technique lets him down in MLS and would only get worse at higher levels. It also probably contributed to all his injuries over the years.
Yeah, my personal inclination would be to start Steffen for most of the tournament. But if ThE sYsTeM is the priority, then maybe Berhalter has to move in a different direction.
I dont know about "someone", but it provided Hamid competition and consequences for his mistakes. Instead of putting his head down earning his way back onto the field, he came back to the exact team where he plays every game no matter what. Since his play has dropped off since 2014 and he is making the same mistakes over and over, he apparently needs that external competition to get him to improve. Maybe he doesnt, but he sure isnt improving in MLS. I continue to ask why he gets talked about in USN&A as he is nowhere near the team.
Of course if they got a European visa it would help a lot but MLS games are broadcast across Europe while Nordic games are not.
Solid point. An EU work permit is holding our boys back but isn't it far easier for them to get moves to Scandinavia or Belgium/NL than the English or Scottish leagues? I mean, obviously those smaller needs need to have the $$ and confidence to drop on a foreign goalkeeper.
Former Yank Abroad goalkeeper Matt Pyzdrowski - now writer for the Athletic - analyzed Steffen's error in the Venezuela match. Pyzdrowski splits the blame among Steffen and his teammates (for a lack of urgency in getting open). https://theathletic.com/1030858/201...zack-steffens-recent-mistakes-with-the-usmnt/ Some nice graphics illustrating the play are hidden behind the paywall.
It will also help Steffen get an English work permit if MC actually wants to play him or if another Premier league team wants him on loan.
Steffen is moving to Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan. If he cant garner a lot of PT, I do believe Horvath will pass him on the depth chart, or I should say, should pass him.
Prior to Gold Cup, Steffen shared the difference b/w his 2015 move to Germany and now:“There’s a big difference ... Back then it was more of taking a risk and going to explore the world ... taking a challenge. Now this is what I want 100%. This is what I need to better myself.”— Emily Olsen (@EmilyTOlsen) July 9, 2019
BTW, what is everyone's opinion on Jesse Gonzalez this year? Just saw a report that he has the highest passing accuracy among keepers and has not made any errors that led to goals so far.
I usually preface my comments about MLS players by saying that I normally just watch the couple nationally televised games each week and thus only see each team play maybe 3-4 games a season. With that caveat, the couple FCD games I've seen, I thought Gonzalez was very good (I think the game at Atlanta in particular). I'd prefer him getting a call-up over Johnson or Miller, if only because he's a bit younger and presumably has more room to improve.
He is the most talented American keeper. If only he was Mexico eligible we would have a dozen "cup him now" threads.
since our top two are relatively young, I can see wanting a more seasoned GK as the #3. no reason Gonzalez cant be called into camp and force the issue.