MLS All-Star Voting is now open and the MLS allows you to pick just 1 GK (which is a mistake -- see bottom) but GKGrades.com has ranked the Top 5 MLS goalkeepers so far in 2010...
Statistics, especially Goals Against Average (GAA), can be deceiving for goalkeepers in this sport. These rankings are based more on overall impression of technical ability, intelligence, and results. Statistics are provided more as a helpful reference snapshot.
Top 5 MLS Goalkeepers (as of 05.26.2010)
1. Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy)
WLT 8-0-1; 810 min; 7 SO; 26 saves; 0.929 Save %; 0.22 GAA
By far the most dominant goalkeeper in the MLS. With only one vote allowed for each voter, this has to be the selection.
Although he has the privilege of being part of the best team in the league, his raw athleticism and shot stopping ability propels him to the top. As is mentioned in his GKGrades report, "with an intense focus on cleaning up the technical aspects of his game, Ricketts could find himself in a higher-level league in the future."
Ricketts is a physically large and powerful man with insane athletic ability. There is a huge opportunity for improvement with the technical and aerial aspects of his game. With an intense and consistent trianing focus on cleaning up technique and improving some of the distribution decision making, Ricketts coule prove to be a dominant goalkeeper in the MLS and possibly position himself for promotion to a more prominent league.
Strengths
Innate shot stopping ability. Distribution distance.
Weaknesses
Giving up rebounds. Aerial decision making. Distribution accuracy.
Catching technique is okay, borderline sloppy/lazy at times. Was caught on multiple occassions with body not square to field and ball falling behind him. Did very well to get to shots from side-to-side. Does not appear confident with the ball at his feet. With that said, no mistakes made.
Physical Attributes: A
Physically very large man. Very quick with good balance and exceptional strength.
Aerial Intelligence: C
Primarily sits in the goal mouth on crosses. Given Donovan's size, I'd like to see him take more command of his box.
Distribution: B
Low driving punts on a short field are causing problems for opponent. Ball delivered occasionally into other box from feet (short field). Nearly every ball was played long in this match. This could be tactical of the short field (played in a minor league baseball stadium). LA was never given the opportunity to build the ball out of the back because of these choices.
Psychological: B
Tactical: C
Match Result: B
Uniform Kit: Plus (+)
Fun category that can apply a plus or minus to grade. Nice and simple, gets the plus! I'd be more of a fan if the shirt was tucked, though. Red and black shoes are questionable. Plain all-black adidas kit.
Key Moments
16th min.
A goal was nullified in the 16th min. after a beautiful through-ball was played. Ricketts came out quickly but the ball got past him. Not much he could do. Goal was nullified when player slipped and fell on the ball with his arm while the ball was on the goal line. Galaxy are very fortunate not to be a goal down.
31st min.
Came far off his line to punch a ball in the 31st min. Probably could have simply caught the ball rather than leaving himself vulnerable to a quick chip.
39th min.
Turn around shot in 39th min from about 21-22 yards. Shot was right at keeper which was batted down under control, keeping the ball directly in-front of his body. Positioning was only 2 yards off the goal line and down on a knee. Don't drop to your knee, stay on your feet. Ricketts also needs to be out around the 6 yard line to take better advantage of his angles.
51st min.
Decent positioning on a dangerous ball driven low to the back post. Attacker could not get a clean hit on the ball.
53rd min.
Poorly played a simple cross into the box. Looked like the cross caught him off guard. His jump was poorly timed and the ball rolled off the fingertips into a potentially dangerous spot.
55th min.
Did well to get in front of a hard shot from the top of the box. Rebound left in dangerous spot.
57th min.
Good save on shot. Rebound given up again and cleared by LA defender.
58th min.
Cross sent in and could have done better to gather ball at his highest point. He waited for ball to come into his chest.
67th min.
Great point blank save made purely because of good positioning.
81st min.
Hard shot from top of box. Well handled but he fell to knees again. Body was not square to the field. Poor quick outlet throw to Klein.
Other Match Notes:
Very soggy and slippery pitch.
Super narrow field and short field (70 yds. wide x 100 yds. long).
Played inside a minor league baseball park while KC's new stadium is being built.
What are they thinking? The jersey does not need to look like the flag. There is a shadow sash running diagonally across the front... way...
About GKGrades.com
GKGrades is run by Jeremiah Johnson. Jeremiah is a Goalkeeper (soccer) scout, coach, evaluator and evangelist based out of Minneapolis/St. Paul area. More info...
On a periodic basis, GKGrades will blog on an interesting topic in the world of goalkeeping, share some training tips, or scout a particular game of interest using the GKRating.
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