Guzan Finally Gets a Chance to Start via Loan to Hull City

Brad Guzan serving as the US #2 goalkeeper while rarely seeing any time with his professional club is something that has been very confusing. This blogger has questioned why Guzan hasn't demanded a loan or transfer... Well it has FINALLY happened... At least for a month.

Brad Guzan has made a 2.5 hour drive from Birmingham to Hull City where he will play on loan for one month. The move comes after Hull GK, Vito Mannone, was called into duty at Arsenal.

The 26 year old American joined Aston Villa in 2008 from Chivas USA but has seen limited action. Former US #1 GK, Brad Friedel, has held the starting spot for an extensive period at Aston Villa. Friedel turns 40 in May.

Hull City was relegated from the Premier League to the Npower Championship in 2010 and currently sits 15th in England's second-tier, but only 4 points shy of a place in the Championship Play-offs.

Guzan has made one Premier League appearance and seen a handful of UEFA Cup/Europa League and Carling Cup action. The United States victory over South Africa in November is arguably Guzan's most exceptional game as a professional.

What can be accomplished during the short span of a one month loan is questionable. However, this is only a positive if Guzan can find himself in a starting position for Hull. Best case scenario would be the further exposure and consistent playing time prompting a transfer to another top-tier club..

GK MacMath included in 2011 Generation Adidas Class

The 2011 Generation Adidas class includes one goalkeeper, Zac MacMath. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry (without college graduation) of American players into MLS. Joining MacMath is eight other underclassmen and four seniors for which the MLS has signed early.

MacMath is considered to be a bright young prospect on equal footing to Cody Cropper (Ipswich Town and my former club, Bangu -MN). MacMath recently recorded two shutouts during both starts of the U20 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland and spent some time training with Everton and US Senior Team GK Tim Howard.

Until 2005, the program was sponsored by Nike and was called Project-40. Generation Adidas players do not count against the MLS senior roster and usually earn a much higher salary than the league minimum . Entering into the program automatically classifies a player as professional and thus, disqualifies them from playing college soccer. As a result, Generation Adidas players are guaranteed scholarships to continue their college education.

Other notable Project-40/Generation Adidas goalkeepers include Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Stefan Frei (Toronto FC), and Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake).

Zac MacMath - GK
Age: 19
Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL
College/Club: University of Maryland
U.S. Nat'l Team: U-17, U-18, U-20, U-23

- 2010 NSCAA First Team All-American
Joined the U.S. Soccer U-17 Residency Program in 2006 and started two games in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

- Led the U-20 team to a Milk Cup Championship in the summer of 2010 in Northern Ireland

- Earned lowest goals-against average in NCAA (.44 GAA) in 2008 as a freshman and set a program record for shutouts in a season with 15 in 2010

Lucasz Fabianski (Arsenal) vs. Petr Cech (Chelsea) - 12.27.2010

Final: Arsenal 3, Chelsea 1
Emirates Stadium, London, England
Barclays Premier League
12/27/2010

The Gunners ended their five-match losing run against Chelsea with this stunning victory at the Emirates Stadium. Petr Cech didn't get much help from his defenders as Arsenal took advantage of three sloppy plays which proved to be the difference in the 3-1 final.

The match started slow with both teams hanging back to defend with 10 men, leaving a single striker forward. Arsenal managed the midfield better than Chelsea and started creating chances with 5 minutes remaining in the half.

Cech came up with 2 exceptional saves in the 40th and 41st minutes only to see 2 goals hit the back of the net in the 44th, 51st, and 53rd minute. Cech got caught leaning on the first goal but could do little to divert the 2nd and 3rd goals. The catalyst for all 3 goals was sloppy play in the Chelsea defensive third.

Chelsea attempted to make a late run after a great ball into the box left Fabianski in "no-man's land" and the ball simply required a flick by Ivanovic to see the back of the net. Fabianski was tested very little and the majority of his touches were harmless.

Although Fabianski and Arsenal got the match result, Cech gets higher marks for his GK Rating.

Petr Cech
Chelsea
GK Rating: 90.9

Minutes: 90
Touches: 30
Tests: 3
Goals Allowed: 3 (44th, 51st, 53rd min.)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 3 (44th, 51st, 53rd)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.750
Save % + PKs: 0.750

Lucasz Fabianski
Arsenal
GK Rating: 75.6

Minutes: 90
Touches: 28
Tests: 2
Goals Allowed: 1 (57th min.)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 3
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.750
Save % + PKs: 0.750

Guzan Has Best Game For U.S. National Squad

USA 1, South Africa 0

The match against South Africa yesterday was a breath of fresh air for all of us who were growing tired of seeing the same squad pushed out every game. The last time we saw this many new faces was 9 years ago against Korea when former Saint Paul Academy (MN) stand-out Manny Lagos secured his first cap with the senior national team.

Kyle Reynish (Real Salt Lake) vs. Yosgart Gutiérrez (Cruz Azul) - 10.19.2010

Final: Real Salt Lake 3, Cruz Azul 1
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah, USA
CONCACAF Champions League
10/24/2010



Kyle Reynish
Real Salt Lake (USA)
GK Rating: 93.4

Minutes: 90
Touches: 30
Tests: 4
Goals Allowed: 1 (71st min.)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 1 (83rd min.)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.875
Save % + PKs: 0.875

Yosgart Gutiérrez
Cruz Azul (Mexico)
GK Rating: 73.1

Minutes: 90
Touches: 24
Tests: 7
Goals Allowed: 3 (42nd, 66th, 69th min.)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 4
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 1 (32nd min)
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.625
Save % + PKs: 0.625

Bouna Condoul (NY Red Bulls) vs. Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy) - 09.24.2010

Final: New York Red Bulls 2, LA Galaxy 0
Home Depot Center, Carson, California, USA
Major League Soccer (MLS)
09/24/2010



Bouna Condoul
NY Red Bulls
GK Rating: 98.7

Minutes: 90
Touches: 32
Tests: 2
Goals Allowed: 0
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 13
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 1 (20th min)
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.029
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 1.000
Save % + PKs: 1.000

Donovan Ricketts
LA Galaxy
GK Rating: 70.4

Minutes: 90
Touches: 21
Tests: 4
Goals Allowed: 1 (36th min)
PK Goals Allowed: 1 (60th min)
Routine Saves: 2
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.667
Save % + PKs: 0.700

The Proof-Of-Concept Project at GKGrades.com

Due to recent events, I'm now provided the ability to bring my head above water from the pool of work and stress I was drowning in for a long time.  My free-time can now be partially filled with more Fox Soccer Channel, Gol TV, MLS Direct Kick, and UEFA Champions League.

In June, I began a proof-of-concept project where I formulated a system for which goalkeepers could be measured by a numerical rating that factors in many different applicable game statistics.  The intent is to revolutionize the way the goalkeeper position is graded.  It's my opinion that goals-against-average (GAA) and shutouts are the most deceiving positional statistics in all of sports.  The result is a numeric rating similar to that of the quarterback position in the National Football League.

Using the 2010 FIFA World Cup as the testing ground, I've got about 30 more games to analyze and log into the GKGrades intelligence database.  Many of the games have already been rated with published ratings on this website.   The final project deliverable will be a comprehensive look at goalkeepers and their performances throughout the entire World Cup.  I think many people will be surprised to see that the highest rated GK's might not be traditional powerhouse names like Iker Casillas or Gigi Buffon, but rather someone that plays for a national team or club that flies relatively low beneath the radar.

Goalkeeping is a position that requires intense focus and non-stop concentration. Don't get caught sleeping like the guys in this video...

GK Ratings for Round of 16 - Germany vs. England

Final: Germany 4, England 1
Free State Stadium, Bloenfontein, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 52
06/27/2010

Manuel Neuer
Germany National Team
GK Rating: 100.6 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Manuel Neuer
Minutes: 90
Touches: 42
Tests: 3
Goals Allowed: 1 (37th min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 11
Exceptional Saves: 2 (35th min, 81st min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 1 (20th min)
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.929
Save % + PKs: 0.929

David James
England National Team
GK Rating: 67.6 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: David James
Minutes: 90
Touches: 31
Tests: 7
Goals Allowed: 4 (20th min, 32nd min, 67th min, 70th min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 5
Exceptional Saves: 2 (5th min, 31st min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.636
Save % + PKs: 0.636

GK Ratings for Round of 16 - Brazil vs. Chile

Final: Brazil 3, Chile 0
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 55
06/28/2010

Julio Cesar
Brazil National Team, #12
GK Rating: 100.6 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Julio Cesar
Minutes: 90
Touches: 24
Tests: 2
Goals Allowed: 0
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 1.000
Save % + PKs: 1.000

Claudio Bravo
Chile National Team, #16
GK Rating: 67.6 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Claudio Bravo
Minutes: 90
Touches: 23
Tests: 4
Goals Allowed: 3 (25th min, 38th min, 59th min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 2
Exceptional Saves: 2 (74th min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.571
Save % + PKs: 0.571

GK Ratings for Round of 16 - Netherlands vs. Slovakia

Final: Netherlands 2, Slovakia 1
Durban Stadium, Durban, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 54
06/28/2010

Maarten Stekelenburg
Netherlands National Team, #1
GK Rating: 105.4 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Maarten Stekelenburg
Minutes: 90
Touches: 34
Tests: 4
Goals Allowed: 0
PK Goals Allowed: 1 (94th min)
Routine Saves: 1
Exceptional Saves: 2 (67th min, 67th min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 1.000
Save % + PKs: 0.950

Jan Mucha
Slovakia National Team, #16
GK Rating: 90.9 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Jan Mucha
Minutes: 90
Touches: 31
Tests: 4
Goals Allowed: 2 (18th min, 84th min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 2 (50th min, 52nd min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.800
Save % + PKs: 0.800

GK Ratings for Round of 16 - Argentina vs. Mexico

Final: Argentina 3, Mexico 1
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 53
06/26/2010

Sergio Romero
Argentina National Team, #22
GK Rating: 86.6 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Sergio Romero
Minutes: 90
Touches: 30
Tests: 3
Goals Allowed: 1 (71st min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.857
Save % + PKs: 0.857

Oscar Perez
Mexico National Team, #1
GK Rating: 73.0 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Oscar Perez
Minutes: 90
Touches: 23
Tests: 3
Goals Allowed: 3 (26th min, 33rd min, 52nd min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 3
Exceptional Saves: 2 (37th min, 92nd min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.625
Save % + PKs: 0.625

GK Ratings for Round of 16 - USA vs. Ghana

Final: Ghana 2, USA 1
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 51
06/26/2010

Richard Kingson
Ghana National Team, #22
GK Rating: 120.5 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Richard Kingson
Minutes: 120
Touches: 43
Tests: 2
Goals Allowed: 0
PK Goals Allowed: 1 (62nd min)
Routine Saves: 12
Exceptional Saves: 4 (35 min, 47 min, 67 min, 76 min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 1.000
Save % + PKs: 0.988

Tim Howard
United States National Team, #1
GK Rating: 86.1 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Tim Howard
Minutes: 120
Touches: 36
Tests: 2
Goals Allowed: 2 (5th min, 93rd min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 7
Exceptional Saves: 1 (37th min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.800
Save % + PKs: 0.800

GK Ratings for Round of 16 - Uruguay vs. South Korea

Final: Uruguay 2, South Korea 1
Port Elizabeth Stadium, Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 50
06/26/2010

Fernando Muslera
Uruguay National Team, #1
GK Rating: 99.8 

World Cup 2010 GK Profile: Fernando Muslera
Minutes: 90
Touches: 31
Tests: 4
Goals Allowed: 1 (68th min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 2 (59th min, 87th min)
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.889
Save % + PKs: 0.889

Jung Sung Ryong
South Korea National Team, #16
GK Rating: 61.8 

Minutes: 90
Touches: 20
Tests: 2
Goals Allowed: 2 (8th min, 80th min)
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 10
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 1 (8th min)
Critical Errors: 1 (8th min)
Error Rate: 0.045
Critical Error Rate: 0.045
Save %: 0.833
Save % + PKs: 0.833

Diego Binaglio of Switzerland Ranks As Best World Cup Keeper Through Game 1

The following table represents the GoalkeeperGrades.com GK Rating^TM for the first games in the 2010 World Cup. The GK Rating^TM, borrowed from the concept of a passer rating or quarterback rating in the NFL, is a cumulative measure of the total performance of a goalkeeper. GK RatingTM is an algorithm calculated using each goalkeepers's total touches, tests, goals allowed, PK goals allowed, routine saves, exceptional saves, PK Saves, errors, and critical errors. A GK Rating does not have a maximum or a minimum, but a rating of 100 or above is considered to be exceptional. A GK Rating below 80 is considered poor.

Download Complete Statistical Table (.pdf)

GK.Name	Squad	Opponent	GK.Rating
Diego.Binaglio	Switzerland	Spain	121.1
Vincent.Enyeama	Nigeria	Argentina	114.4
Jung.Sung.Ryong	South Korea	Greece	106.2
Tim.Howard	USA	England	106.0
Fernando.Muslera	Uruguay	France	105.8
Richard.Kingson	Ghana	Serbia	105.7
Maarten.Stekelenburg	Netherlands	Denmark	105.5
Samir.Handovic	Slovenia	Algeria	102.9
Itumeleng Khune	South Africa	Mexico	101.4
Claudio Bravo	Chile	Honduras	100.8
Sergio Romero	Argentina	Nigeria	100.7
Manuel Neuer	Germany	Australia	100.7
Eduardo	Portugal	Ivory Coast	100.6
Boubacar Barry	Ivory Coast	Portugal	100.5
Federico Marchetti	Italy	Paraguay	100.1
Thomas Sorensen	Denmark	Netherlands	98.4
Hugo Lloris	France	Uruguay	94.6
Noel Valladares	Honduras	Chile	93.3
Justo Pillar	Paraguay	Italy	92.2
Oscar Perez	Mexico	South Africa	90.5
Eiji Kawashima	Japan	Cameroon	90.0
Alexandros Tzorvas	Greece	South Korea	88.2
Ri Myong Guk	North Korea	Brazil	87.2
Hamidou Souleymanou	Cameroon	Japan	86.7
Jan Mucha	Slovakia	New Zealand	85.6
Mark Paston	New Zealand	Slovakia	79.5
Mark Schwarzer	Australia	Germany	77.6
Vladamir Stojkovic	Serbia	Ghana	75.6
Julio Cesar	Brazil	North Korea	75.4
Faouzi Chaouchi	Algeria	Slovenia	72.9
Robert Green	England	USA	68.1
Gianluigi Buffon	Italy	Paraguay	50.2
Iker Casillas	Spain	Switzerland	46.9
AVERAGE			91.7

Here are some statistical insights on goalkeeper performance after each nation's first match...

Highest Save %:
Diego Binaglio, Switzerland (1.000 - 11 saves)

Lowest Save %:
Gianluigi Buffon, Italy (0.500)

Highest Exceptional Save %:
Diego Binaglio, Switzerland (1.000 - 4 exceptional saves)

Most Involved GK:
Mark Paston, New Zealand (42 touches & tests)

Least Involved GK:
Julio Cesar, Brazil (13 touches & tests)*

Most Saves:
Ri Myong Guk, North Korea (12)

Highest Error Rate:
Eiji Kawashima, Japan (0.107)

Highest Critical Error Rate:
Iker Casillas, Spain (0.095)

* Italy's Buffon and Marchetti each logged 12 touches and tests, but only played 45 min each due to Buffon's injury.

If GAA was the primary statistic in use, Mark Schwarzer (Australia) would be last on the list with a GAA of 4.000. Anybody who watched this match would understand that this is further proof that GAA is not a proper measure of goalkeeper performance. Schwarzer's stat line of the match against Germany reads as:

GK Rating: 77.6
Touches &; Tests: 40
Goals Allowed: 4
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 2
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0

Your performance measure should be significantly affected when you let 4 goals get by, but it shouldn't necessarily rank you as the worst GK on the list. Schwarzer's GK Rating ^TM ranks him as 27th out of 33 goalkeepers who saw time in match 1.

Hamidou Souleymanou - Cameroon National Team - FIFA World Cup - 06.14.2010

Final: Japan 1, Cameroon 0
Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 10
06/14/2010



GK Rating: 86.7 
Hamidou Souleymanou
Cameroon National Team, #16 

Minutes: 90
Touches: 40
Tests: 1
Goals Allowed: 1
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.857
Save % + PKs: 0.857

Eiji Kawashima - Japan National Team - FIFA World Cup - 06.14.2010

Final: Japan 1, Cameroon 0
Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 10
06/14/2010



GK Rating: 90.0 
Eiji Kawashima
Japan National Team, #21 

Minutes: 90
Touches: 26
Tests: 2
Goals Allowed: 0
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 5
Exceptional Saves: 0
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 3
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.107
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 1.000
Save % + PKs: 1.000

Tim Howard - United States National Team - FIFA World Cup - 06.12.2010

Final: England 1, United States 1
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 5
06/12/2010



GK Rating: 106.0 
Tim Howard
United States National Team, #1 

Minutes: 90
Touches: 35
Tests: 5
Goals Allowed: 1
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 3
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.900
Save % + PKs: 0.900

Robert Green - England National Team - FIFA World Cup - 06.12.2010

Final: England 1, United States 1
Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 5
06/12/2010



GK Rating: 68.1 
Robert Green
England National Team, #12 

Minutes: 90
Touches: 39
Tests: 1
Goals Allowed: 1
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 2
Exceptional Saves: 1
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 1
Critical Errors: 1
Error Rate: 0.025
Critical Error Rate: 0.025
Save %: 0.750
Save % + PKs: 0.750

Itumeleng Khune - South Africa National Team - FIFA World Cup - 06.11.2010

Final: Mexico 1, South Africa 1
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
World Cup 2010, Match 1
06/11/2010



GK Rating: 101.4 
Itumeleng Khune
South Africa National Team, #1 

Minutes: 90
Touches: 24
Tests: 4
Goals Allowed: 1
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 4
Exceptional Saves: 2
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 1
Errors: 0
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.000
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.875
Save % + PKs: 0.875

Oscar Perez - Mexico National Team - FIFA World Cup - 06.11.2010

Final: Mexico 1, South Africa 1
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
FIFA World Cup 2010, Match 1
06/11/2010



GK Rating: 90.5
Oscar Perez
Mexico National Team, #1
 
Minutes: 90
Touches: 30
Tests: 5
Goals Allowed: 1
PK Goals Allowed: 0
Routine Saves: 6
Exceptional Saves: 1
PK Saves: 0
Exceptional Plays: 0
Errors: 1
Critical Errors: 0
Error Rate: 0.029
Critical Error Rate: 0.000
Save %: 0.875
Save % + PKs: 0.875

The New Era of Goalkeeping Statistics

It is a wide-spread belief that the standard set of goalkeeping statistics are not a proper measure of goalkeeper performance. Looking at the stat sheet following a game can be very deceiving. The box score might read that a goalkeeper only had 2 saves which makes the reader believe that the GK was not very involved in the match... when in actuality that same GK may have had 30+ touches on the ball.

The traditional 'Shots on Goal' does not include every dangerous ball that is played into the goal area. The traditional 'Saves' only represents a limited subset of diffused chances that are directly related to the already skewed 'Shots on Goal' statistic.

Goals Against Average (GAA) is possibly the most useless statistic of them all. Great goalkeepers can play on bad teams and average goalkeepers can play on great teams. The GAA stat does not provide visibility into anything outside the number of times the ball ends up in the net. There is a place for this statistic at the team level, but should not be used as the primary measure of goalkeeper performance.

As Americans, we feel the need to track statistics for all aspects of sport to help measure team and individual performances as well as give sports talk radio a reason to exist. Because I have background in information systems, business intelligence, and goalkeeping, I feel compelled to make an attempt at the development of a proper quantitative and more comprehensive approach for measuring goalkeeper performance.

With that said, I will be using the World Cup as a testing ground to measure the following set of metrics and periodically reporting on the results.

• Touches: Number of times the GK physically touches the ball. A metric to measure the involvement of the GK in the game. Every touch is an opportunity to make an error. Includes goal kicks, back passes, set plays, saves, etc...

• Tests: Another metric to measure the involvement of the GK in the game. Contrary to a Touch, a Test is where the GK does not physically touch the ball. A test can include a goal allowed or a ball that hits the post. Also includes any situation where a GK is forced to make a play on the ball. Includes any situation where the GK directly or indirectly affects the result of a challenge withough touching the ball. Breakaways where the GK makes a play on the ball and the ball is shot off-target is a good example of a test.  

• Goals Allowed: Goals allowed during the course of normal play. Does not include goals converted via penalty kick.

• Penalty Kick Goals Allowed: A separate goals allowed metric to identify instances where the odds of scoring are heavily favored towards the offensive team.

• Penalty Kick Saves: Helps to identify GK's who specialize in this area of the game.

• Routine Saves: Includes all saves made where the general expectation is that these saves should be made by the GK during the normal course of play. Includes all situations where the GK diffuses a direct chance on goal or an indirect opportunity such as a dangerous cross or through ball. GK's should be given credit for all saves... not just the ones that are a result of shots on goal.

• Exceptional Saves: Great goalkeepers keep their squads in games by making a couple saves every game that could easily result in a goal for the other team. This subjective call by the statistician is a count the number of times a GK has made an incredible save. Penalty Kick Saves, Routine Saves, and Exceptional Saves are summed to create the Total Saves statistic.

• Exceptional Plays: Occasionally goalkeepers can be credited with an exceptional play that falls outside the traditional role of goalkeeper. This category counts all other exceptional plays that should be identified as part of goalkeeper performance. This would most likely include distribution the directly leads to a goal, moving forward to create a direct chance at goal, scoring, etc...

• Errors: Borrowed from baseball, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a goalkeeper faulting on a play in a manner that opens up an opportunity for the opposition to make a play, when such a play should have been prevented given ordinary effort by the goalkeeper.

• Critical Errors: Errors that lead to a goal allowed.

• Error Rate: A measure of Errors against the sum of Touches + Tests.

• Critical Error Rate: A measure of Critical Errors against the sum of Touches + Tests.

• Save Percentage: A measure of goals allowed during normal play (not including penalty goals) against against the sum of Routine Saves + Exceptional Saves. Save percentage has long been a staple statistic, but the GKGrades version is thought to be a better representation because saves include all situations where the GK diffuses a direct chance on goal or an indirect opportunity rather than just shots on goal.

• Save Percentage + PKs: A measure of goals allowed against against the sum of Routine Saves + Exceptional Saves + Penalty Saves. For purposes of this stat, 1 penalty kick goal is weighted at only 25% of a goal allowed in normal play.

• GK Rating^TM:  Borrowed from the concept of a passer rating or quarterback rating in the NFL.  A GK Rating^TM is a cumulative measure of the total performance of a goalkeeper. GK Rating^TM is an algorithm calculated using each goalkeepers's total touches, tests, goals allowed, PK goals allowed, routine saves, exceptional saves, PK Saves, errors, and critical errors. A GK Rating does not have a maximum or a minimum, but a rating of 100 or above is considered to be exceptional.  A GK Rating below 80 is considered poor.

World Cup GK Profile: Óscar Pérez (Mexico)

Óscar Pérez

Squad No: 1
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 36
Birth Date: Feb 1, 1973
Birth Place: Mexico City, Mexico
Height: 5' 9" (1.74m)
Weight: 159 lbs (72 kg)
Club: Jaguares (MEX)
International Caps: 52

Club History
Jaguares (MEX): 2009-
Tigres (MEX): 2008-2009
Cruz Azul (MEX): 1993-2008



from Wikipedia (full wiki)
Óscar "El Conejo" Pérez Rojas is a Mexican football goalkeeper who formerly played for the Mexican team, Cruz Azul .

He was capped 46 times for the Mexican national team between 1997 and 2005. He played four games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and was selected for the 1998 FIFA World Cup but never played. He has been the starting goalkeeper for Cruz Azul since 1997 when they won the championship in the 1997 Winter Season. More Recently he has been awarded for staying at the club for 400 appearances, making it a record. But now he has moved to UANL Tigres and has now been the starter of 4 games in the Apertura 2008. After spending 1 year at Monterrey, now he moved to Jaguares de Chiapas.

Oscar was noted to be the best goalkeeper in Mexico from the years of 1998 to early 2002. Once Javier Aguirre left the Mexican team, Ricardo Lavolpe became coach, and Oswaldo Sanchez took over his spot. For the world cup 2010 Perez was called up again following several impressive showings in friendlies leading up to the competition.

2010 World Cup Goalkeepers - By The Numbers: Size

2.82

The largest goalkeeper at the World Cup is Australia's Mark Schwarzer.   At 6' 5" and 217 pounds, Schwarzer carries 2.82 pounds for every inch of height.  The 37 year old "socceroo" recently helped Fulham reach the Europa League final and has been linked to a possible transfer to Arsenal.

Next on the height-to-weight ratio list is Tim Howard (USA/Everton) at 2.80 pounds per inch. 

74

The average and median height of the goalkeeping pool at the 2010 World Cup is 6' 2" (74 inches).

6

6 of the 32 projected starters at the goalkeeping position are under 6 feet tall.   This group includes Lee Woon-Jae (South Korea), Justo Villar (Paraguay), Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria), Boubacar Barry (Ivory Coast), Khune Itumeleng (South Africa), and Noel Valladeres (Honduras).

6' 6"

At 6' 6" (78 inches), the tallest starting goalkeeper at the 2010 World Cup is 36 year old Konstantinos Chalkias of Greece.

5' 10"

At 5' 10" (70 inches), the shortest starting goalkeeper at the 2010 World Cup is 33 year old Noel Valladeres of Honduras.  Noel's idol was former Mexico goalkeeper Jorge Campos, who was extremely short by current international standards at (5' 6" or 65 inches).   Valladares shares another notable trait with Campos in that they are both very skilled with the ball at their feet.   Both men began their careers playing striker.

UPDATE:  5' 9"
With Perez making the start over Ochoa in the first match vs. South Africa, Oscar Perez of Mexico is the shortest starting goalkeeper at 5' 9".

2.169

The smallest goalkeeper at the World Cup is the Ivory Coast's Boubacar Barry.   His 5' 11" and 154 pound frame calculates as 2.169 per inch of height. 

Country	Goalkeeper	Age	Height	Weight	lbs/inch
Australia	Mark Schwarzer	37	6' 05"	217	2.82
USA	Tim Howard	31	6' 03"	210	2.80
Italy	Gianluigi Buffon	32	6' 03"	205	2.73
Ghana	Richard Kingson	31	6' 00"	192	2.67
Cameroon	Carlos Kameni	26	6' 01"	190	2.60
England	David James	39	6' 05"	200	2.60
Slovakia	Jan Mucha	27	6' 02"	192	2.59
Denmark	Thomas Sorensen	33	6' 04"	196	2.58
Chile	Caudio Bravo	27	6' 00"	185	2.57
New.Zealand	Mark Paston	33	6' 05"	198	2.57
Spain	Iker Casillas	29	6' 01"	187	2.56
S.Korea	Lee Woon-Jae	37	5' 11"	181	2.55
Slovenia	Samir Handanovic	25	6' 05"	194	2.52
Honduras	Noel Valladares	33	5' 10"	176	2.51
Algeria	Lounes Gaouaoui	32	6' 02"	185	2.50
Portugal	Eduardo	27	6' 02"	185	2.50
S.Africa	Khune Itumeleng	22	5' 11"	176	2.48
Nigeria	Vincent Enyeama	27	5' 11"	174	2.45
Paraguay	Justo Villar	32	5' 11"	174	2.45
Netherlands	Maarten Stekelenburg	27	6' 04"	185	2.43
Serbia	Vladimir Stojkovic	26	6' 05"	187	2.43
Argentina	Sergio Romero	23	6' 04"	183	2.41
Switzerland	Diego Benaglio	26	6' 04"	183	2.41
Brazil	Julio Cesar	30	6' 01"	174	2.38
Germany	Manuel Neuer	24	6' 03"	176	2.35
N.Korea	Ri Myong-Guk	23	6' 02"	174	2.35
Greece	Konstantinos Chalkias	36	6' 06"	181	2.32
Japan	Seigo Narazaki	34	6' 02"	168	2.27
Mexico	Guillermo Ochoa	24	6' 00"	159	2.21
France	Hugo Lloris	23	6' 02"	161	2.18
Uruguay	Fernando Muslera	23	6' 03"	163	2.173
Ivory.Coast	Boubacar Barry	30	5' 11"	154	2.169

Mark Schwarzer's World Cup Destiny: From Sydney to Stuttgart