Welcome to the first of our 2008 MLS SuperDraft Pool Rankings. We start with about a compressive of a list as I can make at this point. What’s missing are the players that will be signed to Generation adidas. If and when we learn of any we’ll add them to these rankings.
As I gain more information on players and talk to more coaches this rankings will change and evolve. Particularly when the combine comes around.
Goalkeeper is by far the hardest position at which to break into Major League. Not only is it the position with the fewest players on MLS rosters, but it’s also the position where players can be quite good into their mid or even late 30s. Very few keepers make the pro grade in their college age years and as a consequence it may be some time before we know if any of these players will make it as MLS level keepers.
What we’re looking for in keepers is quickness (both off the line and lateral), shot stopping ability, size and reach, foot skill, body and hand technique, and positional reading of the game.
There’s no Chris Seitz or Brad Guzan like can’t miss prospects in the senior class. There a couple of underclassmen that might yet factor in this draft like US Youth International Josh Lambo or Cal sophomore Stefan Frei. Since no underclassmen can join the draft without signing in advance, we’ll only worry about seniors until MLS tells which underclassmen sign around the time of the combine in January.
| Rank |
Player |
School |
Class |
Height |
Weight |
Notes & Comments |
| 1 |
Jason Landers |
St John |
Sr |
6′7″ |
205 |
Six foot seven and two hundred pounds will get any MLS scout’s attention, but it’s the three straight seasons with a goals against average below .80 in the Big East that really shows his talent. Injured his senior year and still made the All-Big East Third Team. The 2005 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year, Landers holds the Red Storm record for shutouts with 32 in three seasons of play. Former US U18. Twice Top Drawer Soccer 1st Team of Year. |
| 2 |
Matt Allen |
Creighton |
Sr |
6′3″ |
210 |
The 6’3” Allen is the first two-time Missouri Valley Conference Defender of the Year in conference history. The Bluejays senior leaves Creighton with a school record 26 shutouts and 6,531 minutes played. Allen is second in the school ranks with 43 wins, 260 saves, and career 0.83 goals against average. 0.79 gaa and 75 saves in 2007 with 7 shutouts. 07 College Soccer New 3rd Team All-American. Added to MLS Combine. |
| 3 |
Brian Edwards |
Wake Forest |
Sr-r |
6′3″ |
190 |
MLS Combine. Edwards leaves college with an exceptional 43 shutouts and a national title, admittedly behind a sensational defense. The 5th year senior started four years for the Demon Deacons. Named first team All-ACC this year with 13 shutouts and a 0.50 GAA. Edwards will need to improve his shot stopping and lateral quickness to become a great pro. 6’3” 190 lbs. Red shirted behind Hesmer as a freshman. 07 College Soccer New 1st Team All-American. |
| 4 |
Dominic Cervi |
Tulsa |
Sr |
6′6″ |
204 |
MLS Combine. A big and powerful shot stopper at 6’6” and 204 pounds, Cervi will have something to prove entering the MLS combine. 1st Team Conference USA in 2007 with 81 saves, but doesn’t have a stellar statistical career resume despite being a four year starter. He’s going to need some coaching on technique and time to develop before being ready to compete in MLS. Cervi started 50 of 56 game in his career with 207 saves, a 1.35 goals against, and 10 shutouts for an admittedly only recently high quality team. |
| 5 |
Conrad Taylor |
Penn St. |
Sr |
5′8″ |
165 |
This exceptionally athletic keeper is hampered as a pro prospect by his 5 foot 8, 167 pound frame. Taylor’s string of First Team Big Ten nods was brought to an end by Penn State’s sub par 2007 season. 83 consecutive starts in four seasons, he leaves Penn State with 23 shutouts, good for 3rd in school history, and a 1.08 goals against average. Can he overcome the prejudice against size and build a pro career? On the Soccer American, College Sports news, Top Drawer Soccer all freshman team back in 04. Former US U14 and U16. |
| 6 |
Andrew Kartunen |
Stanford |
Sr |
6′1″ |
175 |
MLS Combine. A player that was on last year’s list and I am glad to see invited to the MLS Combine. Kartunen was building a strong career at Stanford and with various Youth national teams until his 2006 senior year was lost due to a shoulder injury prior to the campaign. With a medical red shirt for 2006, Kartunen returned in 2007 with high expectations only to lose half his 5th year with a concussion. The 6’1” netminder was named Pac 10 Honorable Mention in 2007 despite only playing 8 games due to his 0.56 goals against average. Kartunen was a member of the US U20 team that went to the 2005 Worlds. |
| 7 |
Casey Latchem |
Ohio St |
Sr-r |
6′0″ |
185 |
MLS Combine. After getting limited playing time his first two years, Latchem blossomed in his final two seasons, leading The Buckeyes to the national title game this season. 10 shutouts, 74 saves, and 0.79 gaa his junior year; topped by 15 shutouts (a single season school record), 92 saves, and 0.69 gaa in his senior campaign. A great shot stopper and strong presence in the box, but he’s likely to short and wide at 6-0 and 185. He will need to improve lateral quickness. |
| 8 |
Chris Cahill |
Notre Dame |
Sr |
6′6″ |
190 |
Cahill is fifth year senior but he has only three years as a starter. A good pro style body at 6’6” and 190 lbs, his best attribute is his consistency. Three straight seasons in the Big East with a goals against average in the 0.80’ish territory earned him a Third Team Big East nod in 2006 and a Second Team in 2007. Eight shutouts in 2007 brings his three year total to 28. |
| 9 |
Steve Sandbo |
SMU |
Sr |
6′3″ |
200 |
MLS Combine. Someone in the US system really likes this kid as he was a U17 and U20. Sandbo was a highly heralded recruit for the Ponies yet he never excelled at SMU, twice losing his job via injury to un-touted Matt Wideman. Sandbo was in essence a starter for only one season earning a 2007 Third Team Conference USA nod with a not-to-stunning 52 saves and 1.08 gaa. Sandbo (6’3” 203 lbs) has always had all the tools to be a big time stud, but has never really put it together. Will MLS teams see the potential or the production? |
| 10 |
Mike Graczyk |
New Mexico |
Sr |
6′1″ |
170 |
The three year starter, and three year MPSF honoree, leaves New Mexico as the career leader with a highly impressive 30 shutouts and a stunning career 0.67 goals against average. Graczky’s impressive career was capped by 6 shutouts and a 0.74 gaa this year to lead the MPSF in both categories for the third straight season. The main knock against the 6’1” Lobo is the lack of strong competition in the MPSF. |
| 11 |
Lance Parker |
Missouri St |
Sr |
6′4″ |
|
A not to great 1.25 gaa his senior year but an astounding 134 saves. Two year starter and two time 2nd team MVC. Parker set a school record and led the MVC with a 0.57 goals-against average in 2006. |
| 12 |
Mike Haynes |
Bradley |
Sr |
6′2″ |
165 |
Stuck behind Chris Dunsheath for two years. Haynes (0.98) actually entered the MVC Tournament as the school’s only keeper with a career goals against average less than 1.00.108 saves and a 0.96 gaa in 2007 to earn 2nd team MVC nod. MVC Honorable Mention in 2006 with 79 saves and a 1.04 gaa.
|
| 13 |
Billy Chiles |
Towson |
Sr |
6′3″ |
190 |
2nd Team All-American and 1st Team Colonial Athletic Association. 13 shutouts and a 0.82 goals against average, the best mark in school history. 2006 Transfer from Rutgers. |
| 14 |
Charles Alamo |
UC Riverside |
Sr |
6′3″ |
215 |
The Big West Goalkeeper of the Year had an highly impressive senior year leading the Big West in saves with 79. As a four year starter he got the call in net the second most times in Big West history, despite red shirting all of 2005 with a broken finger. Alamo finishes his career with 305 saves. 6′3″ 215 lbs. |
| 15 |
Roger Scully |
Vermont |
Sr |
6′2″ |
170 |
77 saves and spectacular 0.67 gaa with 9 saves in 2007. Career 0.72 gaa. 2007 American East 2nd Team and American East Tournament MVP. |
| 16 |
Bryan Amos |
Furman |
Sr |
6′0″ |
180 |
In 06 led the Southern Conference in goals against average with a 0.82 mark and was earned 2nd Team SoCon honors. Bettered the mark with a 0.56 gaa in 2007 and was again named 2nd Team SoCon. |
| 17 |
Matt Glaeser |
Hartford |
Sr |
6′5″ |
195 |
2007 American East Goalkeeper of the Year with 75 saves and a 0.97 gaa. Medical red shirt at James Madison in 2004 before his transfer to Hartford. |
| 18 |
Eric Sciocchetti |
Richmond |
Sr |
6′2″ |
|
A very impressive 105 saves in 2007 but a not so wonderful 1.17 gaa. 2006 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year. A-10 1st Team in 06, 2nd Team in 05&07. Three year starter. |
| 19 |
Daniel Schenkel |
Monmouth |
Sr |
6′3″ |
180 |
67 saves and 0.78 gaa with 7 shutouts in 2007. 2006 NEC 1st Team with 0.46 gaa and 13 shutouts (both school records) . 04-50: Vermont Intermont College. Brazilian |
| 20 |
Vito Higgins |
Gonzaga |
Sr |
6′3″ |
|
A four year starter with 291 career saves. West Coast Conference 2nd Team in 07, honorable mention in 06. Medical red shirt in 2004 for MCL injury and viral condition. 0.70 gaa in 2007. |
| 27 |
Corbin Waller |
CoC |
Sr |
6′4″ |
190 |
Southern Conference 1st Team in 2007 with 0.82 gaa and an 84.2 Save percentage. Two year starter led the SoCon in total saves (87) in 2006. |
| 21 |
Joey Kuterbach |
Bucknell |
Sr |
|
|
Two year captain with 71 saves and 0.75 gaa in 2007 to earn Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year. An impressive 116 saves in 2006. |
| 22 |
Brandt Youmans |
Longwood |
Sr |
6′1″ |
|
A solid 0.91 gaa in 2007 but only 51 saves to earn Atlantic Soccer Conference 1st Team. Led the ASC in 06 with 75 saves for a .798 save percentage. Three year starter. |
| 23 |
Brian Guyette |
Air Force |
Sr |
6′4″ |
200 |
A three time MSPF award winner, 1st Team in 07, 2nd Team in 05&06. 107 saves in2007. Might be ranked higher is not for the probable military commitment. |
| 24 |
Brent Douglas |
CS Fullerton |
Sr |
6′4″ |
205 |
Big West 3rd Team in 2007. Two year starter. 0.94 gaa in 07. |
| 25 |
Erik Geiger |
Yale |
Sr |
6′2″ |
180 |
1.19 career gaa. Ivy League Honorable Mention in 2007. |
| 26 |
Zac Gibbens |
Dayton |
Sr |
6′0″ |
|
62 saves and a 0.90 Gaa with 6 shutouts in 2007 earn him A-10 Honorable Mention. |
| 28 |
Chris Sedlak |
American |
Sr |
6′3″ |
185 |
Three year starter. 1.49 gaa in 2007. |
| 29 |
Brian Mason |
St Mary’s |
Sr |
6′3″ |
|
Four year starter was limited to 7 games in 2007 but 0.86 gaa in those appearances. WCC All-Freshman in 04, WCC Honorable Mention in 05. |
| 30 |
Adam Hahn |
Harvard |
Sr |
6′0″ |
170 |
two year starter with a 1.16 gaa in 07. |
I’m assuming FCD isnt in the market for a keeper in this draft?
They might actually be looking for one. Right now they need a 3rd keeper. Unless Dan Kennedy is willing to play on the developmental roster, I would expect FCD to nab a keeper in the 3rd or 4th round.
Allen is ready for the MLS. I understand he trained for a month this summer with a Norwegian Premiership team. He has the size, first step quickness and excellent shot stopping ability.
I love this stuff.
Buzz you are awesome.
Can’t see wasting a pick on Keeper, they can easily pick up a #3 thru the free agent route. Lots’ of big guys with flaws that will be projects. We need a GK coach more than another gk.
Houston HAS to draft that Alamo kid!
Uh, the Alamo is in San Antonio
I’d like to see Chris Cahill play… only because I used to watch his coach Bobby Clarke play in goal for Aberdeen when I was a young lad.
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Taylor reminds me a lot of Jon Busch. Extremely intense eyes. Very quick but height is his weakness and this will be even more a liability at the next level.
Hi could you please check our online goalkeepers magazine http://www.goalkeepersonline.com and we will be grateful if you could from time to time give us some report or opinion about goalkeepers in USA and we will publish them. Please don’t forget handball ,ice hockey and waterpolo. We have just started the site so we need the most help that we can.
kind regards,
Karlo Seminno
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