The US plays Colombia in an International "Friendly" over in England this week. Tim Howard, as you may know, is not playing. He's decided to take a break from International competition. In for the US this week are Brad Guzan, Nick Rimando, Bill Hamid, and Sean Johnson. I'm sure we will see Guzan in goal v Colombia....but who else is the "heir apparent" in the event that Tim chooses not to play internationally again?
Guzan is clearly the front-runner. He has extensive top-level experience in the BPL playing for Aston Villa; and his closest competitor (Rimando) is playing for Real Salt Lake of the MLS. Week-in, week-out, hardly on a par with the BPL. But what of the other 2 keepers on this week's radar? Does Klinsmann have them in to do some 'marinating' at the International level? Most likely. But are Hamid and Johnson the best of the other MLS offerings? DC United had a good season, and Hamid was obviously part of that, and Johnson and Chicago didn't do so well. Or are Hamid and Johnson more the choice (read 'directive') of US Soccer?
It will be interesting to watch over the next few years who Klinsmann selects--not just in Goal--but for the overall US roster as well. Relying on a blend of US kids playing in Europe and MLS players will make for a difficult selection and results in the next World Cup. Most of the Europe-based players seem to be reserves on their respective sides; and the MLS has yet to offer world-class competition on a weekly basis--thereby stunting development of top-level professional players.
Certainly the MLS continues to improve and make great strides on an annual basis; but NBA players are better than the NBA Developmental League players, and NHL players are better than KHL (Russia) players, and NFL players are better than NFL Europe players.....wait, there is no NFL Europe anymore. Well, you get my point.
It will be fun to watch the next few years as Klinsmann begins the revamping process of the US National Mens Team.
I'm interested in your views and opinions. Shoot me a comment! And good luck to our USMNT as we play Colombia on Friday.
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the opponent always shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV
Guzan is clearly the front-runner. He has extensive top-level experience in the BPL playing for Aston Villa; and his closest competitor (Rimando) is playing for Real Salt Lake of the MLS. Week-in, week-out, hardly on a par with the BPL. But what of the other 2 keepers on this week's radar? Does Klinsmann have them in to do some 'marinating' at the International level? Most likely. But are Hamid and Johnson the best of the other MLS offerings? DC United had a good season, and Hamid was obviously part of that, and Johnson and Chicago didn't do so well. Or are Hamid and Johnson more the choice (read 'directive') of US Soccer?
It will be interesting to watch over the next few years who Klinsmann selects--not just in Goal--but for the overall US roster as well. Relying on a blend of US kids playing in Europe and MLS players will make for a difficult selection and results in the next World Cup. Most of the Europe-based players seem to be reserves on their respective sides; and the MLS has yet to offer world-class competition on a weekly basis--thereby stunting development of top-level professional players.
Certainly the MLS continues to improve and make great strides on an annual basis; but NBA players are better than the NBA Developmental League players, and NHL players are better than KHL (Russia) players, and NFL players are better than NFL Europe players.....wait, there is no NFL Europe anymore. Well, you get my point.
It will be fun to watch the next few years as Klinsmann begins the revamping process of the US National Mens Team.
I'm interested in your views and opinions. Shoot me a comment! And good luck to our USMNT as we play Colombia on Friday.
May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the opponent always shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide.
All the Best--EV