The Next Generation of Female Goalkeepers (U24 Scouting Reports)

cover photo from Reuters

The next generation of female goalkeepers are already making waves for themselves, whether it be in the American collegiate system or in the professional game. Even though the list is limited to goalkeepers born in or after 1996, nearly every goalkeeper has represented their country on the youth level, if not with the senior team as well. The USWNT goalkeeping pool looks the strongest with six goalkeepers in the top 15 although several other countries are counting on their young prodigies to lead the national teams to World Cup glory.

Each goalkeeper is graded in nine categories, covering their abilities on a technical, tactical, and athletic level (although there is some bleed over in certain categories). Understanding that the limited ratings do not completely encompass the position, the brief survey for each goalkeeper is intended to give a decent foundation for new observers in understanding each goalkeeper’s play styles.

Each goalkeeper is rated on a 1-7 scale in nine different categories. A 7 is a world-class level, a 4 is a low professional or high Division I collegiate goalkeeper, and a 1 is dreadful. (Scroll to the bottom for a definition on each category.)

Technical

• Footwork, Angle Play – Efficiency in micro-adjustments, balance, and angles taken vs. shooter

• Hands – The goalkeeper’s ability to hold shots, prevent easy rebounds, and drop crosses

• Distribution – Success with distribution from throws, balls from ground, and punts

Athleticism

• Post-to-Post time – Acceleration speed for goalkeepers’ forward and lateral (post-to-post) movement

• Explosiveness – A goalkeeper’s ability to cover the goal width as well as reaction speed. A good “shot-stopper” will have high explosiveness and footwork ratings

• Breakaways –  Success in 1v1 situations and generally handling through balls

Tactical

• Crossing – Comfortability with incoming aerial service on crosses, free kicks, and corners

• Improvisation – A goalkeeper’s success can solve an unfamiliar situation.

• Consistency – How often a goalkeeper is playing to their top ability. Inversely it takes into account how often a goalkeeper gives up a soft goal. A “clutch” goalkeeper will have a high consistency rating as well.

Six Foreign Goalkeepers For MLS (Summer 2020)

cover photo belongs to Johannes EISELE / AFP

From their first season, MLS has been a league that’s tried to accommodate foreign players to elevate its level of play. While field players have seen success with integrating foreigners, there have been few productive foreign goalkeepers in MLS. Although MLS is focused on developing domestic talent, the potential payout certain goalkeepers possess make their pursuit from MLS teams worthwhile.

Following last year’s list of goalkeepers who would be a good fit for MLS, similar parameters have been applied for possible candidates: goalkeepers must be between 21-26 years old, listed under three million dollars on Transfermarkt, and have a sensible reason to transfer for both the player and club. For example, if a 22-year-old German goalkeeper is a backup in the Bundesliga, it’s not realistic to expect them to come to MLS as their willingness to make such a move is low and the opportunities for playing time are already present in their home country.

The six goalkeepers listed below are ready for the level of play in MLS and are likely able to jump to an even higher league within two or three years, earning MLS teams a nice incoming transfer fee. Each goalkeeper is listed with their current club, age, home country, their current listed price on Transfermarkt, and their potential selling fee an MLS team could make if the goalkeeper develops well.

1. Ivan Zlobin
Benfica (Portugal)
23, Russian

Current TM Listing: $1,320,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $15,000,000

There are a couple of hurdles in bringing Zlobin into MLS. First, there aren’t many Russians playing outside of Russia, due to the lucrative money found in the Russian Premier League. A 2014 study found Russia to be the sixth-highest paying country, with the average player making $1.4 million. Secondly, Benfica is a known powerhouse when it comes to goalkeeper development. Simply having Benfica on your resume as a goalkeeper is a boost in itself.

However, the main reason this transfer could work is exactly because of how talent-loaded Benfica is. Zlobin only received eight starts over the past year, all coming through various cup matches. With the lack of playing time, there’s a slight chance Benfica let him walk for cheap. Additionally the Russian youth international could press for the number one spot with the national team if the next couple years go well, as Russia has not found a constant replacement since the retirement of World Cup hero Igor Akinfeev. Zlobin possesses an interesting mix of power and improvisation in his game, not to mention strong distributing skills. MLS could be a good platform for him to get more playing time, boost his reputation for a return to Europe, and set himself up as a national team contender.

2. Per Kristian Bratveit
Djurgardens (Sweden)
24, Norway

TM Listing: $358,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $12,000,000

The 24-year-old Norwegian moved to Djurgardens a year and a half ago and mostly played backup during his new club’s championship run. He’s already been featured in Djurgardens’ 2020 campaign, splitting time with 31-year-old Tommi Vaiho, who received the bulk of last year’s minutes. Djurgardens likely know they’re sitting on a future Norwegian national team goalkeeper but they also may not have the available playing time the young prospect may desire. Bratveit instills a modern, passive approach by letting the game come to him, utilizing an interesting combination of a high line yet rarely playing aggressive. His wingspan is reminiscent of Brad Friedel, showcasing a seemingly impossible stretch to the upper 90s whenever the opportunity arises. MLS teams might struggle to convince Djurgardens to offload Bratveit but if they can, it wouldn’t take long to see why Norway is so keen on the young goalkeeper.

3. Ivan Brkic
Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
25, Croatia

TM Listing: $358,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $8,000,000

Any time you’re surveying the bargain bin, there’s always a reason why things have fallen to the bottom corner. The 25-year-old Croatia received a knee injury in late November but not before he had knocked 10 shutouts in 16 starts for Zrinjski Mostar. Brkic likely doesn’t have many courting him at the moment due to the worrying injury.

Brkic has a number of parallels to Nick Rimando, both in his stature but also how both leave the viewer thinking “that shouldn’t have worked but somehow it did”. Brkic has an odd rhythm to his game, one that may not pass the eye test for many scouts. But if he’s healthy again, the former Croatia youth international could be another successful undersized goalkeeper in MLS’s history.

4. Miroslav Lobantsev
Qyzyljar (Kazakhstan)
25, Russia

TM Listing: $358,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $7,000,000

If previously listed Ivan Brkic is the equivalent of Nick Rimando, then Miroslav Lobantsev is Kevin Hartman. Lobantsev leans on his size (6’3”) and burst of speed to shut down dangerous situations before they become shots on goal. Things can get a little sloppy with Lobantsev, who will put whichever body part that’s closest to the ball on the line at a moment’s notice. However, the atypical scrambling play style is fairly common in MLS, with Steve Clark, Tim Melia, and Bill Hamid finding success with it over their long careers in the league. Qyzyljar has little to no use for the backup goalkeeper who has played at every level of Russia’s youth international program (U16 to U21). Qyzyljar would likely be happy to offload the goalkeeper they received for free while Lobantsev would relish the chance at a bigger stage.

5. Babacar Niasse
Tondela (Portugal)
23, Senegal

TM Listing: $330,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $7,000,000

Niasse joined Portuguese club CD Tondela at the start of the season but has only seen two starts since August and Tondela sit just three points above relegation. Tondela have opted to run with once capped Portuguese goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos for the entire season, who has actually done well for himself despite the club’s scoring woes. Tondela received Niasse on a free transfer from Belgium and Senegal have a decent goalkeeping core that makes Niasse’s chances with the national team slim to none. That said, Niasse has a similar thin, lanky frame to David de Gea, relying on his quick mobility to solve oncoming chances on goal. Niasse hasn’t had much success since reaching Europe but MLS could be a win-win-win for all parties involved.

6. Igor Leshchuk
Dinamo Moscow (Russia)
24, Russia

TM Listing: $523,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $7,000,000

Dynamo faces FC Ufa in a 0-0 draw (September 2019). Leshchuk is the goalkeeper in yellow. Skip to 3:00 for a late-game save.

As previously mentioned, Russia pays extremely well and Leshchuk’s youth international experience with Russia could very well put his current salary above all MLS goalkeepers. Dynamo Moscow, who are currently sitting mid-table in the Russian Premier League, gave six league matches to Leshchuk last season although only winning once. It’s unlikely Dynamo Moscow will be willing to let Leshchuk walk for cheap, if at all, but the 24-year-old Russian’s calm demeanor (think Zack Steffen) would fit well with MLS teams, if given the consistent playing time that Dynamo hasn’t yet.

7 Foreign Goalkeepers Who Would Be a Good Fit for MLS

MLS has long been a league that has tried to accommodate foreign players to elevate its level of play. However while field players have seen success with integrating foreigners, goalkeepers have remained the exception to the rule. Despite the league entering its 25th year in 2020, there have been so few productive foreign goalkeepers in MLS. While ideally MLS is focused on developing our domestic talent, which I’ve posted a thread on Twitter covering seven American goalkeepers who would be good enough for MLS, realistically it is the foreign talent that is more likely to earn a transfer fee for MLS teams. If MLS teams can circumvent the many hurdles of getting the right talent in the league, it’s in everyone’s interest.

Following last year’s list of goalkeepers who would be a good fit for MLS, the same three parameters have been applied for possible candidates: goalkeepers must be between 21-26 years old, listed under five million pounds on Transfermarkt, and have a sensible reason to transfer for both the player and club. For example, if a 22-year-old German goalkeeper is a backup in the Bundesliga, it’s not realistic to expect them to come to MLS as their willingness to make such a move is low and the opportunities for success are already present in their home country.

The seven goalkeepers listed below are ready for the level of play in MLS and are likely able to jump to an even higher league within two or three years, earning MLS teams a nice incoming transfer fee. Each goalkeeper is listed with their current club, age, demonym, their current listed price on Transfermarkt, and their potential selling fee an MLS team could make if the goalkeeper develops well.

1. Denis Scherbitski
BATE Borisov (Belarus)
23, Belarusian

Current TM Listing: $1,330,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $12,000,000

Scherbitski sent some waves out earlier this year when the Belarusian goalkeeper stunned eventual Europa League runner-up Arsenal to a 1-0 win for BATE Borisov. While BATE would not advance past the round of 32, the shutout would momentarily put Scherbitski on clubs’ radars. Unfortunately a shoulder injury four months later sidelined him and has kept him away from the field since June. If he has returned to full strength, the fringe Belarusan national team starter would be a great pickup as a shot-stopper who is quick with his feet yet has the size most MLS teams are looking for in their number one.

2. Toma Niga
FCSB (Romania)
22, Romania

TM Listing: $167,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $9,000,000

Romanian netminder Toma Niga is likely to be overshadowed by his peer Andrei Radu, another Romanian goalkeeper already making waves in Italy. However Niga possesses a spring in his dive that is reminiscent of the Robin Williams’ movie Flubber and controlled agility you don’t typically find in young goalkeepers. The 22-year-old is still searching for consistent playing time, although he may have trouble finding that in Europe as Romania isn’t high up on scouts’ list. MLS teams could sign him for cheap and immediately claim to have one of the best young goalkeepers in the league.

3. Tiepo
Chapecoense (Brazil)
21, Brazilian

TM Listing: $994,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $12,000,000

After a long drought of elite goalkeepers, Brazil has seemingly found the secret to alleviating their problems in net. While Alisson and Ederson lead the way overseas, Tiepo is doing well for himself early into his professional career. Already with 25 starts in Brazi’s Série A, the 21-year-old is rarely caught guessing or wrong-footed. With a strong pair of impeccable balance and precise reactions, Tiepo is most likely going to reach a higher level sooner or later, whether due to MLS or not.

4. Dominik Greif
Slovan Bratislava, Slovakia
22, Slovak

TM Listing: $442,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $15,000,000

Spoiler: Greif has been linked with Porto FC already so while he may be out of MLS’s reach, we’ll leave him in the list for now as he technically meets the requirements. But the interest from the Portuguese powerhouse adds up when you consider his recent performance against Wolverhampton, making several top-class saves in the 1-0 loss. Greif relies on his David de Gea frame and blazing reactions when facing shots for Slovan Bratislava. Whether Greif ends up at Porto or not, the young Slovak has greener pastures ahead.

5. Emre Koyuncu
Altay SK (Turkey)
23, Turkish

TM Listing: $193,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $8,000,000

Koyuncu is currently in Turkey’s second division in order to receive playing time but he won’t be there long. The former Turkish YNT goalkeeper is a classic definition of a “gem in the rough” as his club is sitting mid-table in a largely uncovered league. Koyuncu’s play is similar to Tony Meola. He’s a little undersized - standing around 6’0” - but contains a lot of power in both his reactions and handling ability. MLS has a number of goalkeeping spots to fill with recent retirements and expansion teams entering 2020. Koyuncu’s asking price is at an all-time low but could easily be flipped for profit in two or three years time.

6. Vsevolod Ermakov
Shirak Gyumri (Armenia)
23, Russian

TM Listing: $166,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $8,000,000

Ermakov has had somewhat of an odd journey to Armenia. After being sent out on loan as an 18-year-old from Russia’s third division, Ermakov bounced back and forth between Russia and Armenia for years until his current situation found him with Shirak Gyumri. While still young, it’s not uncommon for players to be stuck with a “damaged goods” label and if Ermakov stays in Armenia much longer, he may well be labeled as such. A move to the US would be a good fit for both the league’s and Ermakov’s level of play, as well as springboarding the Russian goalkeeper to the next step in his career.

7. Ezequiel Unsain
Defensa y Justicia
24, Argentine

TM Listing: $3,320,000
Potential Transfer Selling Fee: $8,000,000

Carried over from last year’s list, Unsain is somewhat ironically the antithesis to what MLS goalkeeper coaches are looking for yet the perfect example of types of goalkeepers who have found success in MLS. The young Argentine isn’t as technically proficient as some may wish, but his mobility and nose for the ball are reminiscent of Nick Rimando, Matt Reis, and Dan Kennedy. Unsain has 65 starts in Argentina’s premier league, the Superliga, and is ready for the next step in his career. With some fine-tuning, MLS could make a profit on another South American heading to Europe.

Scouting Report: Five U20 Goalkeepers Worth Remembering

cover photo belongs to Getty Images

Eric Lopez - Los Angeles Galaxy 2, 18

Lopez has quietly risen to prominence out west. While a number of his peers are in Europe, Lopez shows us that the US can still develop their own goalkeepers. Lopez, who turns 19 in March, has a good frame and moves well in the box. He's shown positive strides in his 1v1 approach and continues to fight for time in a highly competitive environment with LAG2. If Lopez continues to round out his game, he'll be fighting for playing time against Zack Steffen and Ethan Horvath soon enough.

Carlos dos Santos - Benfica, 17

CJ dos Santos (SLBenfica & USA) highlights~ for pictures and videos from 2012-present use HASHTAG dosGK on instagram, Facebook, and twitter.

With the way dos Santos covers the goal frame, it's hard not to think of David de Gea. Dos Santos possesses a massive spring to propel himself like no other USYNT prospect. But unlike de Gea, dos Santos plays with such an aggressive mindset that he'll insert himself into almost any play that enters the box. It's a tough playstyle to master, one we haven't witnessed in the American scene since Kevin Hartman, but if dos Santos can find that perfect balance, he'll be a strong presence down the line.

Laurel Ivory - University of Virginia, 18

Last fall Ivory was with the University of Virginia and this spring she's with the U20s in their current World Cup Qualifying campaign. Ivory is akin to recently acquired Utah Royals goalkeeper, EJ Proctor (or Ethan Horvath for Ivory's male counterpart). Ivory stays close to her line, relying on her ability to read the game and react from the goal mouth. She doesn't get overwhelmed in unfamiliar scenarios and isn't afraid to challenge crosses in the box. While she's a little undersized for an ideal goalkeeper, she more than makes up for it with her balance, game knowledge, and self-confidence.

Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen - Everton, 16

Watch 16 year old Nicolas Defreitas-Hansen saves and distribution for USA and Everton academy team in the U18 Premier League.

When a sixteen-year-old is starting for a Premier League U18 team, it's a safe bet to say he's a pretty decent player. Defreitas-Hansen sits right around 6'0" and has a deceptively quick post-to-post time. Similar to Ivory, Defreitas-Hansen prefers to stand players up but does a great job of keeping his weight forward and his feet under him. Reportedly Defreitas-Hansen can also play for Brazil and Denmark but he's only represented the US thus far, making three appearances with the U16s.

Hillary Beall - University of Michigan, 19

With most tall goalkeepers, they struggle to move from side-to-side and to quickly drop to the ground. Fortunately for the University of Michigan, Beall has shown the agility to take her game past college. The 5'11" goalkeeper can move in the box and has strong hands to complement her play. Beall made seven starts her freshmen year and is poised to take over as the starter for the Wolverines in 2018.