Assuming the national team makes it through qualifying, what will the keeper situation be in three years. It seems pretty logical that Friedel will be the go to guy, but is their a chance that could change? Also, who is most likely to fill the number two role? Will it continue to be Keller or will a younger keeper (Howard) take over that spot?
Nothing is impossible.If Friedel is healthy and in good form he will be hard to displace.But who can predict what will happen with Howard-maybe he takes the # 1 shirt at ManU and sets the world on fire.The good news is with those 3 ( and don't forget Adin Brown whose form has been absolutely incredible), we are in very, very good shape.
All this hype about Tim Howard. I hope he is successful, but what if he does not see a first team match between now and the World Cup. My prediction if that happens, Timmy Howard will not put on a USMNT Jersey in any capacity, during the WC Germany 06. It seems like nobody is taking in consideration that Timmy Howard may not see any 1rst team action, which could kill his chances of playing for the USMNT.
Howard could wind up in any of the three spots. What if Keller is slated for the #3 position? Does he go? If not, who slides into his position? Brown? Rimando? Countess? Hahnemann?
Friedel I don't see being displaced, really, but you can't count Keller out, and if Howard does go to ManU and gets regular playing time (and really, who knows at this point if he even goes?) he may even have a shot at #1. Depth is a wonderful thing to have.
I think it will be Friedel, Howard, and Keller in that order. Two veterans along with one newbie to the World Cup. I think Keller will definitely be the third guy because of experience. You have to remember that Arena did take Meola over Howard to WC2002, and that is why I think Keller will go in 06.
Let me say this one more time. If Howard runs the bench for Manchester United for the next 2 and half years, he will not be on the World Cup team in any capacity. This is a very likely senerio. I hope Timmy Howard shows me wrong.
It's hard to guage three years down the line, but.... #1: Friedel or Keller. If current forms hold, it'll be Brad. #2: Howard. It's clear that he's the second choice for Bruce if the two old EPL guys are unavailable. #3: This is the toss up spot. Brown, Rimando, and Countess are likely candidates for getting peppered in practices in Germany.
I may be completely wrong on this, but I don't see Keller going to Germany to play Meola's role from '02. He threw such a fit about not playing in '02 that he may or may not even go in the #2 role. (Though the reason for his fit was supposedly not so much that he didn't get playing time as that he felt he was misled about getting playing time.) At this point, Friedel, Keller, and Howard are clearly our top 3 (at least in Bruce's eyes), in that order, though there's plenty of time for the order to change. If 1 or more has a drop in form, isn't playing for his club, is injured, or refuses to go to ride the pine, pick from our next tier of keepers: Brown, Hahnemann, Rimando, Cannon,...
I really think Adin Brown is on a different level from those last guys. Right now, his form is amazing and I think Bruce has noticed. Do NOT rule Brown out in any way.
I just don't see Keller or Friedel playing second fiddle in the next WC. They've both been the #2 guy, and it will be the last WC for each. And they've both got #1 keeper egos.....which is good. But why would a 38 year old Keller want to go sit on the bench with no real hope of being the guy in 2010? Though there is a benefit of an older guy for the #1 guy to talk to, and the 2 & 3 guys to learn from. How about bringing Tony along as the GK coach/advisor?
Money Everyone that went got a big ckeck. Around 200 thousand dollars. I believe anyone asked will go. Don't leave Hahneman and Walker off the list of possible keepers for 2006. Aaron
no MLS team was interested in Walker this past summer. I suspect his success in Chile says as much about the keepers in Chile as it does about Walker.
The Earthquakes had Walker in their pre-season training camp, but they couldn't agree on salary. According to SoccerAmerica, the MetroStars talked to Walker this past week, so it's possible that he could be Tim Howard's replacement.
That's not a bad idea of Howard getting the nod. Of course, it'll depend on current form, and the group draw. But don't be surprised if Brad and Timmy get games.
I doubt if either Keller or Friedel would go as a back up although, as was pointed out, the money is good if the team advances. Still, Bruce clearly has to allow for that possibility, as well as for injury. But a lot can happen. At this point four years ago, the slot was Keller's. He got hurt toward the end of qualifying, Friedel went in and never came out. The same could happen to Friedel, as well as a cooling off and Keller getting hot. Bruce will probably alternate them a lot, as he did before 2002, and not make a decision until the last minute. I agree that if Howard goes to ManU and is benched, he may not be the #2 or #3, but he could well find himself playing in a lot of non-league games, as well as with the reserve team, and that might be enough. Right now Brown is his major challenger for the role behind Friedel and Keller. He's been magnificent every time I've seen him. As for Rimando, I love the guy, but I just can't see Bruce taking someone as vertically challenged as Nick is to the World Cup. But maybe, just maybe ....
Rimando has given up some really bad goals this year...I wouldn't want him this year.... and even if his play improves, I would be shocked if he was one of the three. Same for Cannon. Same for Marcus. My three are Friedel Keller Howard Brown (his play is only getting better) I see it being between those 4 come 2006, provided we qualify.
i just can't see Howard being anything less than 2nd, behind Friedel. And i don't see keller being part of the next world cup. I think it will be a toss up between Howard and Friedel as #1 and #2 and Brown as #3.
Regardless of what Bruce might say publicly, our three GKs for WC '06 WILL be Friedel, Keller & Howard. In that order. The only way that changes will occur is if, (1) injury (God forbid) or (2) the performance of the GKs falls......considerably!!! Of course, ANYTHING is possible, but IMHO it will be Friedel, Keller & Howard!!!
I recently read somewhere that Tony Meola still has it as a goal to make the squad in 2006. If it were say Friedel, with Howard as a backup and Keller sits out, is their a snowballs chance in hell of Meola going at number three? Didn't Arena coach him in college, maybe he has a soft spot for Tony and will keep him around, although I highly doubt it.
Also SAF is probably a lot more amenable to releasing his #2 or #3 for International duty than his #1.
From all accounts, Meola is a great "locker room guy" and a team leader. No one has ever said either about Keller. Don't get me wrong. Keller is miles ahead of Meola as a keeper, but he's not the guy you bring in to keep things from getting too tense and to provide the "I've been here before" wisdom. Sachin