I dont think that you can make too much of a case that Tim Howard is that much better than Aiden Brown. And I know that he is better than Rimandito. Why hasn't he gotten a shot in net. I would put money on him saving the shot against Argentina. WHERE ON EARTH IS AIDEN BROWN???
I think he is currently in New England with the revolution. With regards to the call ups, I think Arena has had Howard who has performed very well for the nats in his call ups. He makes remarkable saves, and his distribution is pretty solid. Mr. Brown on the other hand, has had one extraordinary year in MLS. He was called into a camp post world cup (if I recall correctly) but didn't get the start. (maybe got a half, I don't recall). Regardless, Mr. Brown needs to prove that last year was no fluke in MLS. Consistent solid performances in MLS will get him more shots with the USMNT. That being said, neither Howard nor Brown are ready to jump Friedel or Keller. It is tough making it as a USMNT goal keeper. Side note.... I think its Adin.
Brown was ahead of Howard going into the '00 olympics. The reason that Freidel ended up being one of the over age players was because Brown got hurt and they didn't feel Howard was ready. But while Brown was fighting injuries Howard started to light it up. I think now that Brown is healthy he will get some looks from Arena, but he has got a long uphill battle with all the depth at keeper we have. Id say the depth chart looks something like this: Freidel Keller Howard Thornton Rimando Cannon Brown Hartman Countess Jordan Presthus
And I really dont think you can count Meola out quite yet. At least not if you ask him. And Zack Thorton is no where near that close to the top.
Brown is excellent. But I agree, let's see if he can do it again. There is something to be said for being 6'5", quick and fierce.
Size wouldn't put Brown before Rimando. Rimando may be a bit small, but as far as skill I would rate him just as high- probably higher than Brown. BTW, I don't think Brown would of saved the Aregntina goal either because Howard is quite a bit above Brown.
Brown seems to me to be the victim of bad teams. That dude has made some unreal saves in the few matches I have seen him play. He impresses me an awful lot. Much more so than Rimando.
I agree, I think Meola still should be considered. Does Arena? That is the bigger and more important question. My top US 'keepers... 1. Friedel - having a better EPL season than Keller and his WC performance was stellar. 2. Keller - not too shabby this year in the EPL and prior to the WC was in my opinion the U.S. #1. 3. Howard - in another two or three years he will be better than Meola, if not already. 4. Meola - should and probably could play another 5-6 years in MLS at a very high level. 5. Thornton - played in WCQ, only Friedel, Keller, and Meola were the others, and was an alternate for the final WC squad; don't count him out. 6. Rimando - size does not matter, he is a 1st class keeper in MLS and would do well overseas. 7. Hartman - Always good in MLS, except for early in 2001; might only reach Thornton's level. 8. Cannon - He should have been paid the $150K by MLS to keep him in MLS. He will get better in France. 9. Brown - so much potential, as was shown in his brilliant 2002 campaign; needs to do it again and again; can reach the level of Howard and Meola in the next two years. 10. Hahneman - was one of the best 'keepers in MLS prior to his move to Fulham, playing extremely well for promotion - to the EPL - candidates Reading. Age is - that younger keepers are better - against him. Countess is good, but needs to step up in MLS like Howard did in 2001 and 2002. He does have the potential get into the top five. After 2006, he'll be the project that Howard is now. Jordan was about to get lapped by Countess in Dallas and hasn't been called by Arena in ages. Moving to Denmark wasn't good for him. Presthus is Columbus' #2 behind Busch (another small 'keeper excelling in MLS) and also hasn't been called in by Arena in ages.
Don't forget about Johnny Walker, in Chile. Supposedly pretty good (only saw him play once on FSW, and he actually played like crap that game), and Arena has mentioned that he would like to get him into a camp.
I would disagree. Guy legitimately tried out with the quakes and didn't make the team just recently. Didn't make the cut last time he was here in MLS also. I think he doesn't get called in or looked at by Arena unless he really starts making a name for himself at his new club and in the Copa Libertadores. He is getting very good experience. I am not saying he is out of the picture for 2006 or 2010, just that as it sits right now I think he is ranked well below Hahneman, Rimando, Thornton, Cannon etc.
Jeez...How quickly these BS minds forget!!! Brown is a brilliant keeper if he isn't injured. When in this form, he has Howard as his ballboy. Too bad the guy has been constantly injured throughout this career. Even during 2002 campaign, playing with injuries, he was still able to demonstrate he wasn't a fluke. He was called into camp for the Nats first game after the Cup, but released due to injuries.
seriously, I am a Rev fan but not a blind one. For example, I would forget about hernandez and Cullen for the USA team. When Brown has been healthy, he has been spectacular.Not good, spectacular.He is so damn big but so damn quick. Friedel is the only guy I can compare him too. Size matters a lot in goal.Of course, just being a big goon gets you nowhere( sorry Ian Feuer).But Brown is big, VERY quick and fierce coming for 50/50 balls.Damn, who would have the guts to go for a ball against him??!
Walkers issues With MLS and SJ were about money and the cost of living in SJ, not that he couldn't make the team.
Well, I beg to differ regarding Brown's quickness, particularly in comparison with Howard and Rimando. Rimando, though small, is positively cat-like. Howard has incredibly fast reaction time, which is something a bit different from "quickness." Besides, if Arena knows anything about players, it's about keepers, having been a pretty good one himself. I would not work up too much of a sweat over the possibility that he'll select someone who is not truly among the top prospects. Right now, I think he is searching for #5 after Friedel, Keller, Howard and Rimando.
I disagree.Brown has been on Arena's radar for a while but has been injured.I thnk Howard is in the lead for # 3 but everything is fluid after that.
I don't disagree (though I'm not all the high on Thornton). I didn't realize he didn't make the grade in San Jose.