All-Purpose, Never-Ending Soccer Thread

I don't disagree with you about MLS.... like I said, I think it's a good developmental league. It's fantastic for getting domestic player time and the opportunity to showcase their skills. But, for someone like Beasley, who was simply a phenomenal athlete while with MLS, it wasn't until he went to The Netherlands that he became a true soccer player with downright filthy skills. Is it any coincidence that our three best goalkeepers are all playing in Europe? And you can't tell me that a player like Onyewu would have developed as quickly as he did playing in MLS....

It's good for what it is.... it's responsible for getting more of our players into Europe, which in turn, (IMO) is why we're moving up in the world stage.

 

No real disagreement here. However, on the goalie subject, Keller has been around a while. A long while.

Right now Howard is in the mix for team and that is based purely on the small sampling while in MLS for the most part).

I think keeper is the one thing that we aren't having an issue with in America.

 

I could deal with Klinsy in charge, but I'm not so sure Bruce would give up the USMNT reins unless there was a job already waiting for him.

Just consider the talent he'd have coming back for South Africa 2010.

 

But goalkeeper might supplant fullback as our next problem position.

Look at the highest-touted young players these days - Adu, Arvizu, Wynne, Nguyen, Sturgis, etc. Add players like Donovan, DMB, Gooch, Gibbs, EJ, Marshall, Gaven, Convey and the more established players and you've got a good core of talent to build on.

How many current keepers would merit mention in that group, though? Guzan? Cronin? Zach Wells? Quentin Westburg is already in the first team at Troyes, but 1) as a backup and 2) he's been far from impressive at the WYC/U-20 level.

 

Keepers have a long shelf life. Howard, Reis and Marcus all will still be in their prime at the next cup. I think that, once Timmy gets first team action (whether with the Red Devils or not), he'll be our clear No. 1.

 

TB, here is what you have to think about in terms of keepers: Who has a better one?

Right now, Keller is right at 1 or 2 in the world in terms of national team keepers. Who else ranks up there besides the Dutch? The English wish they had our keepers.

Now, a rundown of MLS teams has people looking to the future. So, I will expect a drop off, but I don't think it will go too far.
Brad Guzan - highly touted, we'll see how he does in MLS this year.
Zach Wells - We'll have to really see. But it isn't out of the realm of possibilities.
Kevin Hartman - Solid
Jon Busch - Solid
Jonny Walker - We'll see if he gets any playing time. But this will have to come at a new team or league.
Matt Reis - I think he's got some real good stuff. I think he is the prize pick of the rest.
Tony Meola - ;D

And this goes without saying those players that are in Europe right now that will backup Keller in Germany. Howard is still young as is Hahnemann and with keepers they seem to get better as they get older.

 

Keller at 1 or 2 in the world? Man, I want to live in your universe! Kahn, Buffon, van der Robot, Cech, Coupet, Isaakson and a few others might take issue with that.

Hartman and Walker have had their time. Busch is Nick Rimando with a better hairdo. Would you really want to roll out someone that small against non-CONCACAF teams?

Hey Hahnemann isn't that young ... he'll be 34 in June. I haven't lost faith in Timmy yet, but dude needs PT lest he contract Jovan Kirovski syndrome.

 

I think we're okay in goal.... if Howard doesn't get time soon after the cup, I'm sure you'll see him move on to another club. He's basically got four years to get into playing form. After that, who knows.... I mean, we're looking at our keeper eight years down the road, basically. A lot can happen in that time.... Westburg may move up, there's a lot of solid goalkeepers in college ball right now, you never know.... Besides, if we keep finding players like Onyewu, we won't need an all-world goalkeeper.... just a back line of four guys, 6-4, physical, fast....

 

I had the conversation with a guy from Manchester that came over to do some soccer training. He's a big ManU whore, so to him Van der Sar was the top, but he eventually stated that Keller is right up there.

The other issue with the Dutchman is that he has been rather shaky. There will be games when he lets in some of the shittiest goals. But, his time with his national team will be helped by their extremely defensive strategy.

Also, Kahn is done, finnished, over, out, closed up, washed up, old. I think you get the idea.

The rest are not better than Keller when placed

 

I have to say that I have no idea why Kasey was pushed aside for Robinson.

Is he best in the world? no, but I'd put him at the lower end of the top tier. Cech is the best I've seen recently, although VDS has been great. But, excepting those two, there isn't another keeper in the EPL I'd rate above Kasey, including Brad.

Casillas has been a little shaky, but he's still top 5 and Buffon is fantastic as well. Dida is also great.

 

Freed up a non-EU spot for a field player, plus made room for the Next Great English Keeper™. Let's also not forget Keller's battles with Julen Lopetegui at Rayo Vallecano.

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Come on, Crass. I'm as big a Nats backer as you'll find, but talk like that usually comes from people proudly wearing red, white and blue blinders - not intelligent folk like yourself. If KK were that awesome, why hasn't someone bigger than Tottenham or Borussia Munchygoobers came in for him?

I'd easily put Keller in the top 10, but saying he's the best in the world is just too much.

 

Trooper, I'm just saying that his production with the national team is tops. Now, what he does on the club side seems to be different.

I would take Keller over Kahn any day of the week.

The reality is that those in other countries wish they had the line of keepers that we have.