State of the Union: Goalkeepers

The new season has just begun in Europe, while MLS keepers are in their mid-season swing. While last season might have been one to forget for most American keepers, changes of locale for many have worked small wonders already. And while I don’t expect Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to test the U.S. goal all that much, Kenwyne Jones is sure to have other ideas when Trinidad and Tobago visit the States.

As a reminder, once again, these grades are based on current form and situation, not the overall assessment for a player or depth chart ranking.

Tim Howard - B+

Howard has stepped into a surprisingly stout Colorado Rapids defense and hasn’t made any major missteps to speak of. Colorado has given up the least amount of goals in MLS this season, and Howard has certainly played his part.

Brad Guzan - B

The U.S. #1 (he is, right? Maybe? I don’t know) completed a move to Middlesbrough this summer to stay in the Premier League. Initially it looked as if the move might have been a poor one, as Guzan missed out on the first few rosters of the year. But he made his debut against Sunderland this last weekend, making 4 saves and recording a win on the road for his club debut.

Ethan Horvath - B+

Ethan Horvath is still toiling away just below the Arctic Circle, starting for Molde and doing...good things, I would wager by this all-caps tweet (sorry, no Norwegian).

Horvath is still just 21, and getting starting minutes week in, week out (with the possibility of European action as well) is great for his development.

Nick Rimando - B-

Who knows if Rimando is still in the discussion for the third keeper spot, but he just got voted as the best MLS keeper of all time and is still solid at the back for RSL.

Bill Hamid - B-

Hamid isn’t quite making as many ridiculous saves as he was when he came back from injury, but he did just win MLS Save of the Week, and is in contention for best pure shot-stopper in the pool.

David Bingham, Luis Robles, William Yarbrough - C+

All playing and none have been awful, but none have done much to distance themselves from the muddle of the third goalkeeper discussion.