Sudamerica Tragedy; the State of the MLS Goalkeeper; Weekend Preview

They fought valiantly, but it wasn't enough, D.C. United was knocked out of the Copa Sudamerica by losing 3-2 to CD Universidad Catolica in Santiago, Chile last night. After the sixtieth minute, a loss seemed almost inevitable even though United had a 2-1 lead at the time. Untimely substitutions, fatigue, and a sketchy defense came back to haunt them. Hopefully, D.C.'s performance in this series impressed enough to ensure MLS' particpation again next season. I won't claim that this was a moral victory, it wasn't, and I'm upset with the way the game was coached down the stretch, but as long as it ensures future participation I'm thrilled.

The State of MLS Goalkeeping

Just a few years ago, many MLS fans were claiming that the league had an incredibly deep pool of goalkeeping talent. I've always been rather skeptical of that claim, and I think the quality of goalkeeping in MLS this season has borne out that skepticism. Let's take a team-by-team look at this seasons' performances and a look to the future as well.

CD Chivas USA

2005: A turbulent year in goal for Chivas, having started three different players in goal just this season. Rookie Brad Guzan, who's started twenty-two of Chivas' twenty-seven games has shown best, with an astonishingly decent GAA of 1.95. While that looks terrible, think for a minute about the defenses that have started in front of him, many of which were anchored by the likes of Douglas Sequiera and Ezra Hendrickson. Sergio Garcia and Martin Zuniga were the other two goalkeepers. Zuniga has since retired, and Garcia, while having shown flashes, hasn't been the answer to Chivas' defensive woes either.

2006: If Antonio Cue is smart, he'll keep Guzan. He can keep Garcia if he wants, but Guzan ought to be the franchise goalkeeper at this point. While still raw, Guzan has amazing athletic ability and a very astute understand of the game and the goalkeeping position, often single-handedly keeping Chivas in games they had no business staying in. The fact that Guzan hasn't started every game for Chivas is a testament to how seriously this franchise has underestimated the strength of MLS.

Colorado Rapids

2005: Joe Cannon. The anchor of the Rapids' defense and for my money the best goalkeeper in MLS. He's recently been sidelined with a nagging abdominal strain. Watch and see how vital Cannon is to this team in coming weeks.

2006: It's Joe Cannon's to lose.

FC Dallas

2005: It looked like head coach Colin Clarke had finally solved his goalkeeper situation early this season. Scott Garlick was starting in goal and the Hoops were winning games with style, flair, and defensive organization. Then Richard Mulrooney got hurt, and slowly, very slowly, the wheels began falling off. Just a few weeks after the All Star game, Garlick was on the bench again and in came Jeff Cassar. Cassar of course didn't stop Dallas' defense from hemorrhagging goals. Cassar separated his shoulder and back game Scott Garlick. Dallas continued to lose but in recent weeks Clarke seems to have righted the ship. Were Dallas' defensive woes the result of bad goalkeeping? No. But a younger, more capable goalkeeper would've helped.

2006: I suspect that one of Cassar or Garlick will be kept around for cover next season, but GM Alper will be mighty foolish to not bring in a younger goalkeeper. Johnny Walker might be available from Columbus as might Dallas Burn alumnus Matt Jordan.

Los Angeles Galaxy

2005: The Galaxy's defense has been piss poor this season through no fault of goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Two weeks ago, in an important game against the Kansas City Wizards, coach Steve Sampson actually had the audacity to bench Hartman, replacing him with Earthquakes cast-off, and former U-20 goalkeeper, Steve Cronin. Perhaps in spite of and not because of him, the Wizards scored two goals in the last ten minutes to tie the match. Despite that, the benching seemed to really affect Hartman, who played probably the worst game of his career Wednesday night in Dallas. He looked completely out of sorts, misplaying a Troy Roberts back-pass which promptly went into his own goal.

2006: Sampson might not have much love for Hartman, but Hartman has been around too long to be simply cast off. It probably won't matter anyway because Sampson will assuredly be fried at season's end.

Salt Lake

2005: Sketpics laughed when coach John Ellinger proclaimed D.J. Countess his starter before the season. However, early in the season it looked like Countess would prove the doubters wrong, pulling off some incredible saves and looking comfortable in goal. As Salt Lake's defensive woes worsened, so did Ellinger's confidence in Countess. Why he ever benched Countess in favor of mediocre rookie goalkeeper Jay Nolly is beyond me. Perhaps Ellinger wanted a scapegoat for Real Salt Lake's defensive gaps, and Countess was an easy target. But goalkeeping in Salt Lake, while not always brilliant, is the least of its problems. Defensive organization and the lack of a true defensive midfielder are much bigger problems that Ellinger will have to deal with in the offseason.

2006: My advice for John Ellinger, keep Countess and focus your efforts on other positions, like finding an organizer for your defense, a true right back, and a destroyer midfielder to compliment Andy Williams, hold possession, and win balls in the midfield. If GM Steve Pastorino expects Kasey Keller to come calling too, think again. Keller seems to have really settled down in Germany and was recently voted Kicker's Bundesliga player of the week.

San Jose Earthquakes

2005: It looks like Pat Onstad will win yet another Goalkeeper of the Year award. Just two months ago, it looked like Matt Reis' award to lose. Well, since then San Jose has allowed the fewest goals in MLS, thanks in some part to Onstad's command of his goal. Never flashy or spectacular, Onstad makes key saves when called upon (and also made probably the save(s) of the year against the Galaxy in June).

2006: The hitch though is that Pat is not getting any younger (he's 37), and he might not be around again next season. If he's not, the Earthquakes will assuredly have to sign a new goalkeeper, since longtime back-up Jon Conway just hasn't shown much in Reserve matches and secondary back-up Robbie Fulton just is not ready.

Next Week: Eastern Conference Goalkeepers

Weekend Predictions

New England Revolution v. Metrostars - After last week's 5-4 classic, what will this week bring? Ives Galarcep seems to think that suddenly the Metrostars have become a better defensive team and that New England has nothing to play for. Or something. The Revolution are not only seeing the Supporter's Shield slip away (currently 4 points behind leader San Jose) but their lead in the Eastern conference (5 points up on United) as well. There's plenty to play for tomorrow night. Prediciton: Revolution 3:2 Metrostars

Real Salt Lake v. Columbus Crew - For Salt Lake, at least they're playing at home. For Columbus, Wednesday's tie against the Revolution, in which they gave up a stoppage time goal to Taylor Twellman, must've stung. Both teams will be playing for respect, but while Salt Lake looks like a team in complete disarray, Columbus has posted very respectable results against difficult opponents lately. Prediction: Real 1:1 Crew

CD Chivas USA v. Colorado Rapids - Will the Rapids pull out all the stops and attack? Yeah, I didn't think so. They'll also be missing goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Call me crazy, but I actually think Chivas can do this. Prediction: Chivas 2:1 Rapids

San Jose Earthquakes v. FC Dallas - Don't be fooled, the Hoops' 4-1 Wednesday night victory over the Galaxy does not mean they're returning to early season form. However, they are beginning to turn their season around when it looked certain that Clarke's team was going to crash out of the playoffs. On Saturday, they'll be revisiting the home of nightmares where it all began where Richard Mulrooney tore his ACL, Spartan Stadium. The Earthquakes took their foot off the gas Wednesday night, no doubt to rest for Saturday's match-up. A win guarantees the Earthquakes home field acvantage for the Western Conference final. Prediction: Earthquakes 2:1 Hoops

Los Angeles Galaxy v. Kansas City Wizards - The Galaxy looked awful Wednesday night, and it'll be interesting to see if Sampson rests key players in preparation for the U.S. Open Cup final next Wednesday. If he does, it'll be another long night for the Galaxy. If he doesn't, it'll still be tough, even at home, against a Wizards team that needs points to keep the Metrostars off their backs. Prediction: Galaxy 1:2 Wizards

Last week: 3-3
Season: 14-13

Note: Beginning next week, it'll be much more difficult for me to update this blog daily. I'll do my best for you loyal readers, but don't be surprised if I'm not able to post a new entry every day.