Today ISN columnist Philippe Chauveau takes a look at every starting MLS goalkeeper heading into the first games of the season. Chauveau, a former collegiate keeper himself, will be completing this column every week so our readers gain a better understanding of the goalkeeping profession.
1. New York Red Bulls:
Luis Robles: 2015 was a good year for Robles: Goalkeeper of the Year, and back in the mix for the USMNT. What astonishes me most about Robles is his explosion and change of direction. He had two fantastic saves this year off deflections and rebounds, where he had to cover ground in a hurry and put out a strong hand to keep the ball out. Robles always had the athleticism, but last year he showed that he can handle his box and crosses extremely well also. He’ll be looking to show us that last season was more than an outlier, and I believe Robles could be goalie of the year again in 2016 – although someone in San Jose might have something to say about that.
2. Vancouver Whitecaps:
David Ousted: The Danish International is a rock in the back for the young Whitecaps. As the Vancouver players take strides forward, they know they can afford a slip up or two with Ousted in the back. He is probably the best defensive organizer in the MLS, and he can move and come out for crosses easily. Another candidate for goalkeeper of the year. Ousted is less spectacular than David Bingham and Robles, but he is a top goalie in MLS.
3. San Jose Earthquakes:
David Bingham: My second pick for Goalkeeper of the Year, if the Quakes can make a big enough splash. Bingham is only 6’2″ and 190 lbs., but he can come off his line like the best of them. He can dominate the box, and unlike most keepers on this list, Bingham has no issues collecting crosses over bigger and physical strikers. He has extremely safe hands, and the reflexes to go with them. He’s not at the top of the list due to the Quakes’ lackluster roster, but if they are going to be successful, Bingham will be just as important, if not more, than Chris Wondolowski.
4. Portland Timbers:
Adam Kwarasey: The MLS Cup defending champs lost their star left back Jorge Villafana, but other than that, the Kwarasey inspired defense should still be tough to break down. Kwarasey is big and lanky, and controls his box very well. Between him, Ridgewell, and Borchers, you rarely see a mistake. His only issue is perhaps his distribution, but I’m sure Coach Porter will gladly overlook that part of his MLS Cup-winning goalkeeper’s game.
5. Houston Dynamo:
Tyler Deric: Houston didn’t have many clean sheets, but man does this guy inspire confidence. Big frame, safe hands, good positioning, and capable of making that saving that no one believed possible. Deric rose to fame last year with strong showings for the Dynamo, and a number of his saves were in the pool for MLS Save of the Year.
6. FC Dallas:
Jesse Gonzalez: Is he American? Is he Mexican? Who cares – he’s good. Regardless of who he picks to represent internationally, Gonzalez is here to stay. His biggest feature is perhaps his frame (and FC Dallas says he’s still grown) combined with cat-like athleticism – not many goalies who are 6’4″ can move that fast, especially across the ground. While he is still prone to a mistake or two, remember, he is 20 years old. Most goalies are still working with the youth teams at this point; Jesse is way ahead of the curve. One of the most exciting and young teams in the MLS now has a goalie to match the likes of Kellyn Acosta, Tesho Akindele, and Fabian Castillo.
7. Seattle Sounders:
Stefan Frei: He has proven a great acquisition from Toronto in 2013 – leading the Sounders’ defense with his defense organizing skills and reflexes. Frei had a number of saves on last year’s Save of the Year pool, and while Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris, and Haedo Valdez are up front working their magic, Frei sits in his box organizing his defense, and keeps them in the game with a timely save or two.
8. D.C. United:
Bill Hamid: If he can stay healthy, DC will be a hard team to score on. They are solid defensively and know who they are – very disciplined, especially with Steve Birnbaum coming from two solid showings with the national team in January. Hamid has long been lauded as a USMNT prospect, and he has delivered – albeit often ailed with injuries. Last year, he was out for nine games. In those nine game, backup Andrew Dykstra stepped up and made over four saves a game, which was the highest average in the MLS. Hamid won’t be able to play for at least the first couple of months, and while Dykstra doesn’t have the frame or athleticism of his counterpart, he can definitely hold his own.
9. Real Salt Lake:
Nick Rimando: He’s a legend – former USMNTer who defies logic with his 5’9″ frame and agility, even at the age of 36. However, Rimando can often make what should be a routine save look spectacular, which can be a real problem, as those lead to error and poor rebounds. Yet, the fans at Rio Tinto and the defenders still feel confident with good ol’ Nick in the back, and he’ll start the season one more time as RSL’s No.1.
10. Columbus Crew SC:
Steve Clark: We all watched MLS Cup, and we know just how poor his first touch was on the first goal of the match. But hey, nobody’s perfect, and if his distribution was his only issue, Columbus would have a franchise goalie in their hands. All in all, Clark will make a lot of saves – good saves, often keeping Columbus in the game – but he’ll also have moments where he won’t look so stellar.
Side note: Brad Stuver – He came on against Valencia and put in a magnificent performance. Coach Berhalter knows what he has in Stuver, and while Clark is the starter, look for Stuver to start putting more pressure on him to perform to keep his job.
11. New England Revolution:
Bobby Shuttleworth: After four seasons on the bench for the Revs, Shuttleworth had a break out season in 2014. Since then, he’s been the unquestionable starter for a team who always has a solid season. While Shuttleworth can be brilliant – he is athletic and has great reflexes – he doesn’t always exude confidence, and he’s a liability on crosses. He needs to become more stable in the back, to keep a Jermaine Jones-less Revs in contention for the post season.
12. Chicago Fire:
Sean Johnson: Now starting the entre the prime of his career, the expectations are high on Johnson. Once lauded as one of the leagues’ most promising goalkeepers, Johnson has utterly underachieved the past couple of seasons. It definitely doesn’t help that Johnson has the worst defense in 2015 in front of him. That defense now has Brandon Vincent at left back, and he could prove to be a game changer at left back. Will it be enough? Probably not, but it’s a good start. They are really hoping that Johnson, one of the most athletic goalkeepers in the MLS, can stay healthy all year. Although they signed Matt Lampson to provide cover, Johnson has singlehandedly kept the Fire in games, and without his athleticism in the back, the Fire could be in real trouble – it can always get worse.
13. Philadelphia Union:
Andre Blake: The big Jamaican finally has a clear route to the starting spot. As he prepares to begin his first full season as a starter, Blake will see a Union defense that, while young, should provide adequate cover. Keegan Rosenberry and Joshua Yaro were both selected in the top 3 of the 2016 SuperDraft, and it looks like the Union are on the fringe of building a dynasty-like MLS defense, with the 25-year old-Blake at the helm. He impressed last year when he played, and with international experience, he will not shy away from the spotlight. Expect a couple of highlight reel saves from Blake this season.
14. New York City FC:
Josh Saunders: Saunders made a TON of saves in goal for the new boys in town NYCFC last season, but it still wasn’t enough to make them a legit team. He is also 35 years old, so NYCFC might be looking elsewhere at the end of the season, but for 2016, Saunders is still the guy. NYCFC needs to improve in other areas before they need to look at the man between the sticks.
15. Sporting Kansas City:
Tim Melia: The 2015 MLS Comeback Player of the Year still has some big shoes to fill in Kansas City, after the departure of MLS Cup winner and SKC legend Jimmy Nielsen. Melia was on the All-Star ballot last year, and he has the potential to make incredible saves – yet, he is not nearly as commanding the back, and every once in a while, it is possible to spot some disorganization at the back for SKC, which is something that never happened when Nielsen was in goal. Melia will look to have another solid season, and do enough to keep SKC in contention.
16. Montreal Impact:
Evan Bush: The University of Akron product will be looking to really establish himself between the Montreal goalposts this season. Although the Impact mounted a late title challenge, it was mostly due to the scoring prowess of one Didier Drogba. Bush looked uncomfortable in goal sometimes, and didn’t project confidence to his defenders, and one of those being Laurent Ciman, the reigning the defender of the year. Montreal need a little more security from Bush this year if they are to take that final step into being true contenders.
Side note: Maxime Crepeau – the young Canadian international made his debut, and is creeping (pun intended) onto the rearview mirror of Evan Bush. Don’t be surprised if Crepeau gets a few minutes here and there throughout the season.
17. Los Angeles Galaxy:
Dan Kennedy: He won’t turn any heads, but he’ll keep the Galaxy in it for the whole season. Before making his return to California, where he played for Chivas from 2008 to 2014, Kennedy was starting in Dallas, until a 20-year-old robbed him of the starting spot and never gave it back. The Galaxy needed an experienced keeper, someone that can hold their own back there and not hinder their title charge. They found one in Kennedy – he won’t make the impossible saves, but he won’t be making mistakes either.
18. Toronto FC:
Clint Irwin: Irwin has been brought on from the Rapids, the second worst team in the league last season, to be the No. 1 in Toronto, a playoff team and home to MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco. Here’s the catch: Toronto FC actually allowed more goals than the Rapids did last year. Irwin is moving to a better team, but a worse defense. He’ll have to showcase his experience, and he is going to see a lot of shots. Unlike NYCFC and OCSC, star-studded teams who have other parts of the pitch to worry about, goalkeeping should be one of the first concerns for TFC. They went out and brought in Irwin – time will tell if it will be enough.
19. Colorado Rapids:
Zac Macmath: He was a prodigy, a member of the IMG Academy in high school, drafted 5th overall in 2011, and has had stints training with Everton in England and the U.S. U-20 national side. However, MacMath now seems to be merely renting a spot in the Rapids goal, keeping the seat warm for Tim Howard’s arrival. MacMath is a little undersized for a goalkeeper in the present day, at only 6 feet, but he does have the technique and distribution necessary to have mild success in the modern game. He should do a good enough job to keep the Rapids from any embarrassing result until Timmy arrives from Everton in June, and will be an able backup once the time comes.
20. Orlando City:
Joe Bendik: Another team who has much to improve upon from last season despite having two or three big names on the roster, Bendik might seem like a step down from last year’s starter, Tally Hall. OCSC parted ways with Hall after a second knee injury, and brought not only Bendik but his goalie coach from Toronto FC. He’s a big guy, at 6’2″ and 220 pounds, he covers a lot of space simply just standing there. Handling powerful shots isn’t a problem for Bendik, and he might be a solid keeper for a contender. However, in Orlando, his job will depend on his ability to organize a defense and distribute – two things that have held him back in the past from making a breakthrough.
