USA goalkeeper discussion thread - Episode IV: A New Hope

I mean, DC is doing a pretty good job of picking out the big, tall guy on set pieces right now. He's just a lot better than Donovan Pines, even if he's "only" 6'3".

It's also worth noting that League 1 probably doesn't have the size or athletes of MLS to compete for those headers.

 

Thank goodness for Aaron Herrera, I’d seen enough of Ruan blowing past everybody then putting the cross in row Z or Andy Najar dribbling everybody minus one who takes it away.
Benteke does not equal Pines either, but I’ve lost the plot here I think. I only wish DC had used the big man more effectively while he was there, it was an off the cuff comment I didn’t think held any controversy.

 

Just commenting because I really enjoy watching Benteke. And I'm not sure Pines is going to keep up that scoring rate.

 

The guy can't play defense. Like at all, and that's kind of a requirement for a CB.

 

Only if you count auto goals.

 

Neither here nor there, thanks for nothing.

 

He definitely likes to build from the back though the goalie he had at Tottenham was Lloris who isn’t bad at it but also not elite at it like you see from an Ederson type.

 

Will we see a shakeup at goalkeeper under Poch... Copa America had 1 Turner 2 Horvath 3 Johnson ... we can assume Johnson is out because why the hell would Poch have any interest in some ancient dude who isn't even that good at MLS level anymore... So who will break into the top three to replace him, one of the U-23s or one of the slightly older guys? U-23 is sort of irrelevant now post Olympics, and Schulte wasn't great at the Olympics, while Slonina is down in the third division.. not sure you can get USMNT call ups from there as we aren't a joke of a national team. And beyond that will Turner and Horvath actually have to start playing regularly to stay at the top?

My bets for the goalkeepers who will see their stock rise in the near future:
1. Matt Freese
2. Gavin Beavers
3. Diego Kochen

 

If Kochen starts for Barca B he’ll be playing at a roughly similar level to Slonina.

Freese is the one I’d really like to see called up in September.

 

Yes that's true, but if Kochen is the backup for Barcelona we will want to get him some caps in relatively meaningless friendlies asap and then maybe cap tie him at the end of the 2025 Gold Cup group stage.

(🌕) Barcelona believes Diego Kochen will end up replacing Ter Stegen — club says “he has everything”. The 18 yo’s idol was Ter Stegen too. @relevo #FCB 🧤✨ pic.twitter.com/CzLQ3tweeK

— Reshad Rahman (@ReshadFCB) July 30, 2024

Within Barcelona, they believe Diego Kochen will be Marc ter Stegen’s successor. He is also considered the most promising goalkeeper in La Masia in recent years. Kochen’s role model is Ter Stegen as well. 🔵🔴 🇺🇸

[🌕: @relevo] pic.twitter.com/0T4oiR6G5K

— USMNT Otaku 🇺🇸 (@USMNTOtaku) July 30, 2024

 

I think for Kochen more than being the backup what you want for him to be the locked in starter for Barca B and for them to get promoted (so next year he can be the starter in the Spanish league).

I’m not that worried about cap tying him because we’re calling him up for the senior team far before Spain does. Their goalkeeping depth is a whole different story compared to us.

 

Another one on the radar: Alex Borto at Fulham

Alex Borto (‘03) 🇺🇸 is confirmed to be Fulham’s 3rd choice GK this season. However, he’s not in the matchday squad today for their Premier League opener, or with the 2nd team for their PL2 opener. https://t.co/3bKZyCKjLm

— American Ultras Talk (@ameriultrastalk) August 16, 2024

 

But like the others what he needs is regular games.

Better off a loan to League One like Slonina versus being third string.

 

Absolute howler from Horvath today.

Ethan Horvath with the worst mistake we’ve seen from an American GK since Zack Steffen against Liverpool. https://t.co/TdUMDqZHjb

— American Ultras Talk (@ameriultrastalk) August 17, 2024

 

Between Turner not even being on the bench and Horvath’s error not a great opening weekend in Europe.

 

Yikes, that makes play it out the back giveaways look good.

 

It's dire. We need Turner to find a good club situation and regain some of the old shot-stopping acumen while just not being a wreck with his feet. And that needs to tide us over until the next generation develops.

It's similar to our striker spot a couple years ago. You could see it coming together. But it took time. And it's still not fully-formed. But I think we feel OK about that spot now, and it'll probably be better with a couple more years time.

Outside of Turner being the default, we might be in position to take a chance. I don't mean if Kochen is a reserve, but if he's the #2 at Barca, yet firmly planted to the bench, we might need to try him. Then pick the #1 performing up & comer in MLS. A Turner-Schulte-Kochen trio may be the best we can do right now. We'll likely have bumps in the road, that will smooth by 2026. Or we just need to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

Kochen is not the number two at Barcelona however. Based on their preseason tour he’s not number three either. I think he’s battling to be the starter at Barca B. Which if he is puts him roughly on par with Slonina in terms of what level he’s playing at.

 

I said if he reaches that level. If it's a matter of a logjam at Barca, which shouldn't be shocking; he should take a loan to La Liga 2, if he wants a good shot at the '26 WC.

 

Need to test multiple guys from MLS just tonsee what's up.

 

Holy ********ing shit, how did we get so bereft of anything resembling talent at this position?

This is depressing.

 

Feels like Turner, Freese, and Schulte would be the right call ups for September. Though if Turner makes a move right before the window I’d leave him with his new club to get settled and probably just call Horvath instead.