The USMNT need consistency at goalkeeper, and here’s how the current players in the pool rank
• 2 min read
Star goalkeepers were something that U.S. Soccer has been known for but since the retirement of Tim Howard and the international retirement of Brad Guzan, that hasn’t been the case. Matt Turner and Zack Steffen’s moves to Europe were supposed to see the position be set for success moving forward but things have changed. Steffen is back in Major League Soccer while Turner is struggling for playing time with Nottingham Forest. With the other keepers in the national team pool being young, inexperienced or both, it puts the future between the sticks in an uncertain position.
Let’s take a look at how the USMNT keeper picture shakes out in our power rankings:
| Rank | Name | Team | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Matt Turner |
Nottingham Forest |
Turner may be the current number one but that’s something that could change sooner than later. It’s important for keepers at any level to play so that they aren’t rusty in big moments and if Turner doesn’t get a deadline day move from Nottingham Forest, his USMNT future could hang in the balance. |
|
2 |
Ethan Horvath |
Cardiff City |
With some gaffes and plenty of goals conceded so far, the only reason Horvath hangs on to his spot in these rankings is that he’s the USMNT keeper playing consistently at a higher level. |
|
3 |
Patrick Schulte |
Columbus Crew |
After the big two, Schulte has been one of the better performers out of everyone in the USMNT pool. Already with the experience from the Olympics under his belt, Schulte is moving up the ranks but he’ll need to fend off strong challenges from keepers behind them. |
|
4 |
Gaga Slonina |
Barnsley |
Off to the next round of the EFL Cup with another shutout under his belt, the move to Barnsley has been a good one so far. With the pressure of promotion under him, Slonina has stopped everything in his way. Only 20, he could be one to shoot up these rankings by the end of the year. |
|
5 |
Zack Steffen |
Colorado Rapids |
While Steffen is back playing for the Rapids, he’s still conceding far too many goals when in the net. There isn’t much room for improvement left in Steffen’s game so this could be where he is. |
|
6 |
Chris Brady |
Chicago Fire |
Another member of the Fire keeper battalion, Brady has been under fire all season. He still has work to do to end up seriously challenging for the number one but as another 20-year-old member of this list, there’s a lot to like. |
|
7 |
Diego Kochen |
Barcelona |
Only 18, Kochen is highly valued at Barcelona but also has yet to make a senior team appearance. One for the future, the youth on this list are in good hands but the present is shaky. |
