http://www.foxsportsworld.com/content/view?contentId=2380580 So Brad is out for awhile? Brad was always the safer of the him and keller plus he had better distribution of the ball than keller.So what does this mean? Ive seen where people have put Howard in the starting eleven but i dont feel quite safe about that...sure he was goalkeeper of the year at the EPL which i was extremely surprised about but does that mean he is ready. He makes wonderful saves and then lets in a shaky goal...I wonder if this is when Howard leaps over the Keller/Friedel combo that has been our mainstay since '96-'97. Is Walker a dark horse? Are there people who feel Walker is a better commodity? Adin Brown? Steve Cronin? Doug Warren? I dont think Kevin Hartman should be considered...never showed me that much. Marcus Hahnemann? Tony Meola? Is Jurgen Sommer still alive? This is a first time post for me but dont hold back...im looking for some opinions
Take a deep breath. At worst, Friedel misses the Grenada series. OK? It's not like he is dead or anything.
My choices in order would be (assuming no Friedel) Keller Walker (in second because he has a huge amount of experience) Howard Brown
If there's one position where we can afford injuries, it's at keeper. Compare the effect on our team of Friedel being injured to Landon Donovan being injured (god forbid). A long term Donovan injury would be an epic disaster. A Friedel injury is a minor inconvenience. We'd need two more injuries just to get to Jonny Walker who I'd feel fairly safe with back there.
Johnny Walker is a fine keeper. But IMO, you don't start the goalie of the MetroStars over the goalie of Manchester United (even if he used to be the goalie of the MetroStars).
But what about the goalkeeper of Tottenham... would you start him over the goalkeeper of Manchester United? At any rate I think we're fine at keeper. Honestly at this point I'm not sure any of Friedel, Keller, Howard, Walker, etc are actually at the top of their game. While my first thought would be one of those from England, it's probably because I know them better than I know Walker. And familiarity and comfort level are a big thing with the keeper position
Walker has played in South America for years, and has played in Copa Libertadores under some pretty intense conditions. Howard simply doesn't have that kind of experience. I believe Tim-may will become the better keeper, but I don't think he's there yet.
Friedel is out!!! So, in desperation, the USA turns to Keller.....or Howard.....or Walker.....or Meola....or Rimando....or Brown.....or Hartman....or Cannon....or.... Yawn.
the Blackburn official site said it was a groin injury, hopefully it's a muscle strain and not a muscle tear which would put him on the shelf for an extended period of time.
What?!? Friedel is dead?!? OHMYGOD!!!!! Oh, wait, upon re-reading your post I see that Friedel is in fact not dead. Please disregard. Thank you.
Yeah... umm... And what of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League? Toss in the Confederations Cup and its not up for debate. Tim's the better keeper and more experienced, especially internationally.
South America is considered international and one year of Premier, FA and Champions League competition does not automatically give the nod to Howard. I agree with the few who would rather see Walker in net before Howard, right now anyway. I believe Walker has more big game experience, in an unsane enviornment, than Howard.
fidlerre makes a good point we're deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep at the GK position But FWIW I'd start Keller if it were my choice and everybody was healthy.
You know I just wish we had that kind of quality depth at the field positions. If we did we'd seriously make a real run at the Cup. My hope is that in the next 6 years will develop this depth.