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USMNT: Top 3 goalkeepers for Gregg Berhalter era

By Andrew Dowdeswell

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: Brad Guzan #1 of the United States gestures during the second half of the game against Cuba at Audi Field on October 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11: Brad Guzan #1 of the United States gestures during the second half of the game against Cuba at Audi Field on October 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 24: Atlanta’s Brad Guzan (1) reacts to a second-half goal during the MLS playoff match between Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United FC on October 24th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 24: Atlanta’s Brad Guzan (1) reacts to a second-half goal during the MLS playoff match between Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United FC on October 24th, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Brad Guzan

While Bill Hamid is the best-performing USMNT goalkeeper in MLS, that does not make him the next option for Gregg Berhalter and the present era. This is where crucial lines must be drawn.

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First and foremost, he can be a character problem. He is confident verging on obnoxious. On the pitch, his passing is inconsistent and while his shot-stopping is excellent, his all-around goalkeeping can be questioned. These are situations that Brad Guzan excels in. It is why he is ranked number two here.

At 35, he is the most experienced option for Berhalter. His character and leadership are renowned, and with a young USMNT, his calming presence is invaluable. He is a better passer. Last season, he completed 46.9% of his long passes, the second-best in MLS. He also attempted 945 passes in total, more than 50 more than any other goalkeeper in the league.

And his goalkeeping is not bad either. He ranked 12th in save percentage in MLS last year and kept a clean sheet in 41.2% of his games, the second-best in the league. Guzan is not as capable a shot-stopped as Hamid, but he is more experienced, a more positive leader in the dressing room, and suits Berhalter’s demands for the position much more.

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