I'm working on three interviews and a goalkeeping discussion between several pundits and MLS goalkeepers so forgive me for the lack of enthusiasm this week. I am a tad busy.
ANYWAY HERE ARE SOME GOALKEEPING LINKS:
- Brad Friedel talks managing. I really liked this quote, "I think that [lack of goalkeepers becoming managers] comes more from the fact that, many moons ago, people thought goalkeepers were crazy and they were sort of just set aside."
- Monday marked the fifteenth anniversary of Kasey Keller's ten save game that led to the only victory by the US against Brazil ever.
- Julio Cesar is visiting Toronto, supposedly. I'm not surprised by the move although I really wish Bendik would be given the net to tend. The biggest question is what will happen at the end of the season. Will Cesar play the entire year or just up until the World Cup? What about next year? Who starts then? Bendik is still young (24) so this might actually be good for his growth.
- It's been awhile since I've heard such an over the top statement like, "Despite a handful of call-ups, however, he hasn't quite gotten used to the perception that he might be the next Tim Howard or Brad Guzan." Ah yes, Mr. Hamid.
- There isn't much talk but there is some about the US entering the 2015 Pan American Games, a U22 event. If we did field a team I would expect Jon Kempin (SKC), Cody Cropper (Southampton), Tomas Gomez (Georgetown), Tyler Miller (Northwestern) to be in the running. Looks like Canada will be hosting the event.
- I don't think it's any secret how big of a Steve Clark fan I am but I was surprised to see Matt Lampson start over him in a preseason game. It doesn't mean everything but historically the first string takes the first 45 minutes and second string takes the back half.
- It's the off-season for college teams but Notre Dame's head coach Bobby Clark is still making headlines.
- Jurgen Klinsmann's son, Jonathan, has committed to UC Berkeley. Best of luck to him.
- EPL's weekly Top 5 Saves of the Week. Some very good saves this week (Lloris was my favorite.)
- Big Soccer links...
- Some posters revisited forgotten (and unfortunately oft-injured) American goalkeepers Adin Brown and Johnny Walker. Brown and Walker were competing with Tim Howard early on and had they stayed healthy, the US goalkeeper pool could look much different today. There is an article here that covers Brown's history more in-depth.
- Cultural debate on how much support US will get in Brazil. Some inane comments along the way but some good insight too.
- Abraham Romero, U17 Mexican-American goalkeeper, is in camp with Mexico after spending much time with the USYNT.
- USMNT World Cup snubs, including why Howard was left off the 2002 roster.
- A UNC womens goalkeeper decides to play abroad in Germany.
- Overall it was a slow week on goalkeeping news but Sepp Blatter's tweet was, thankfully, received with much outrage.
- And of course the best link for last: a bunch of Russian cops singing Get Lucky. MLS Cup halftime performance, anyone?
Cover picture belongs to The Columbian.