US Goalkeepers in Sweden - Posting Early Numbers

The Swedish leagues have been running for a few weeks, and already it is evident that US Goalkeepers are a big story.

Josh Wicks in Allsvenskan, Matt Pyzdrowski in Superettan, Zac Lubin in Division 1 and Jeff Gal in Division 2 are all on a fire in their respective leagues.

Josh Wicks and Sirius are in their first season in top tier Allsvenskan and are sitting in 2nd, due in part to Josh's heroics. Josh has played all 6 of Sirius' games, has 3 clean sheets and has only allowed 4 goals

Matt Pyzdrowski is finally playing on a winning side, as he minds the nets for Helsingborg in Superettan. Matt has played all 5 games, had 3 clean sheets, and allowed 4 goals - Helsingborg are one of three unbeaten teams and sit in 4th place

Zac Lubin joined 3rd tier, Division 1 side Ljungskile back in March. Zac has played all three games, has 2 shut outs, and has only let 1 goal past him. Ljungskile are top of the league with a 100% record

Jeff Gal joined BK Forward recently and immediately found himself starting. Forward play in Sweden's 4th tier, Division 2 and with Jeff's goalkeeping skills helping them have played the first 4 games of the season without a loss. Jeff has played all 4 games, with 3 shut outs and has only allowed 1 goal, a phenomenal start to the season.

All told, these 4 American goalkeepers have played 18 games so far this season,  and have 11 shut outs, allowing only 10 goals.

The tradition of quality US Goalkeepers is obviously in good hands in Sweden.

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WEEKEND WRAP: Saturday/Sunday 8/13/ and 8/14 2016 - Features Young Americans, 16/17 Seasons begin

Not a good weekend to be late reporting...sorry...Well today (Saturday) starts a new year/season in the major European leagues. It's always an exciting time. 

For the future of US soccer, today is especially exciting and this season feels like the future will be on display around the world. In England, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Lyndon Gooch , Emerson Hyndman and Gedion Zelalem are gaining traction in the EPL. In Germany, Christian Pulisic, Julian Green and Russell Canouse look set for senior play this season. (IMHO) This year is the first of the transition years as US Youth stake their claim for USMNT spots for the coming 4 or 5 years. The next group are also starting their ascendancy, just a year or 2 behind, McKinze Gaines, Dallas Aminzadeh, Gboly Ariyibi,  Mukwelle Akale, Romain Gall and Luca De La Torre - to name just a few of many - just an amazing group of new young Americans on the horizon.....so yes its an exciting time for US Soccer.

Today's List is long, so if you don't want to read the whole thing, here are the notable highlights first;

Goals
Christian Eissele (Finland)
Eddy Prugh (Sweden)
Matt Nigro (Iceland)

Assists
Gboly Ariyibi (England)
Brian Span (Finland)
Cole Grossman (Norway)

Shut Outs
Daniel Schmidt (Japan)
Ethan Horvath (Norway)
Scott Angevine (Finland)
Jeff Gal (Sweden)

Here is the full (well most) list for this weekend;


SATURDAY

Russell Canouse came off the bench at the 85th minute, as Bochum visited Karlsruher and held them to a 1 - 1 scoreline for the away point in Germany 2Liga

In Sweden Division 2, Eddy Prugh Scored Bodens 2nd goal as they won at home game against Ange 2 - 0

Devante Parker went 90 for Mainz II as they visited Duisburg in Germany 3Liga, and probably wished they had stayed at home - losing 4 - 0. The early season has not smiled on Mainz II so far.

GK Kenneth Kronholm went 90 as Kiel fell 1 - 0 at Fortuna Koln on an early first half goal

Jann George (90) and Regensberg still have not lost so far this season as they visited FSV Frankfurt (who were missing Shawn Barry) and came away with a 1 - 1 draw, a point and a place on top of Germany 3Liga

Marc Heider (82) started for Osnabruck and Robbie Kristo was (in 18 / DNP) as Osnabruck beat Magdeberg 3 - 2 on an 87th minute goal, maintaining their record of no losses so far this season

GK David Yelldell did not make the roster today for Sonnenhof

In Finland Veikkausliiga, Kemi and Christian Eissele hosted Inter Turku. Christian came off the bench, for Kemi, at minute 82, and Scored at 90+ from a PK in a 3 - 1 win

Will John (90) and RoPS visited SJK in Finland's Veikkausliga as they battle for a European spot next season. SJK were to strong on the day as RoPS fall 3 - 1

Theo Siebatcheu came off the bench for Reims at minute 72 as they visited Valenciennes in a France Ligue 2 game that ended goalless.

In Germany 2Liga, Fafa Picault went 90 as St Pauli fell 0 - 2 at home to Braunschweig for their 2nd loss in their opening 2 games

McKinze Gaines (67 + Yellow) as Wolfsburg U19 faced off with Hannover 96 U19 and Lyonel Hyer (8) in Junior Bundesliga (Nord/Nordost) in a game that saw Wolfsburg U19 2 - 0 winners

In Germany Regionalliga (Nordost) Devann Yao went 90 as BAK 07 beat Meuselwitz 1 - 0

Dallas Aminzadeh came off the bench at minute 49 as Oldenburg visited Lupo Martini and came away with a 0 - 1 win in Regionalliga (Nord)

Omar Castro played the first half in Braunschweig II 1 - 2 loss to Norderstedt also in Regionalliga (Nord)

Ryan Malone (90 + Yellow) and Stuttgart Kickers visited Elversberg and came away with a point after a 1 - 1 draw

In Finland Kakkonen (Group C) Lawrence Smith (90) and Chris Corcoran (90) could not find a way through the defense of Hercules in a game that ended goalless

Conor O'Brien (89) and Horsens held on for a 3 - 3 draw with Silkeborg in Denmark's Superliga , as Silkeborg came from a 3 - 1 deficit to tie things up late in the 2nd half.

England's Premier League is back, Cameron Carter-Vickers (in 18/DNP) as Tottenham visited Everton and drew 1 - 1 (no DeAndre Yedlin today)

Stoke had Geoff Cameron in their 18, as they visited Middlesbrough and drew 1 - 1 (no Brad Guzan today) Geoff never got off the bench in a typical 1st game of the season

In England's Championship opening day Johnathan Spector and Birmingham visited Leeds and came home with 3 points after a 1 - 2 win

Fulham who have a small American contingent only used Tim Ream as a time waste 90 min sub, as they visited Preston and won 1 - 2

Adam Henley only lasted the first half as Blackburn visited Wigan and were trounced 3 - 0

Reading are another team with a small group of US players, started Danny Williams (90) as they made the trip to Wolves. 2 goals either side of half-time (42 & 47) sealed the home teams win as Reading fall 2 - 0 to start their season

Gboly Ariyibi (90) and Chesterfield had no trouble in their home opener against Swindon in England's League 1. winning with ease 3 - 1 Gboly was credited with the Assist on their 3rd goal

Duane Holmes went 58 for Scunthorpe as they fought back from a 2 goal deficit to draw 2 - 2 at Fleetwood in League 1

GK Paul Rachubka was an unused sub as Bury visited Gillingham and fell 2 - 1

GK Brendan Moore (90) was on a shut-out until the 90th minute when Torquay's defense let him down and Barrow scored an equalizer in 1 - 1 draw in the Vanarama National League

Perry Kitchen played the 2nd half as Hearts visited Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League in a game that saw no goals by either side.

Kevin Dzierzawski (90) and Peterhead seem to have started this season in a real funk, losing their pre-season cup games and friendlies and now both of their league games. After battling, and just coming up short of promotion last season, they are winless this. today they fell 0 - 3 to East Fife.

In Sweden Superettan, Sirius and Patrick Hopkins (90) extended their lead at the top of the table to 5 points, beating Ljungskile 0 - 2

In Germany Oberliga (Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar) GK Bakary Sanyang (New York) started and went 90 in TSG Pfeddersheim's 3 - 1 loss to SV Rochling

Also in Oberliga (Rheinland-Pfalz/Saar) Charlie Butte went 90 for SpVgg Burgbrohl in their 0 - 4 dismantling by SV Gonsenheim

In Oberliga (Bayern Nord) Julian Ceesay went 90 in Amberg's 3 - 0 over FC Sand

Eric Friedlander was in the 18, but did not play for SpVgg Ansbach in their 1 - 1 draw at Erlenbach/Main in Oberliga (Bayern Nord)

Oscar Ortiz went 90 in SC Feucht goalless draw at Wurzburger II, also in Oberliga (Bayern Nord)

GK Alex Horwath never got off the bench as Brann visited Valerenga in Norway's Tippeligaen in a 3 - 2 loss. Brann are still holding on to 3rd place despite the loss

Lyndon Gooch made his EPL debut today putting in 65 energetic minutes in Sunderland's 2 - 1 loss at Manchester City 

Mukwelle Akale gets his first senior squad minutes as he comes off the bench at minute 61 for  Villarreal in a friendly loss with  CD Leganés 3 - 2

SUNDAY


Timothy Tillman went 90 as Bayern Munich U19 hosted Freiburg U19 in a Junior Bundesliga game that saw Bayern win 2 - 1

GK Daniel Schmidt gets another Shut Out as Yamaga visit C-Osaka in Japans J League 2 and come away with a 0 - 1 win and maintain the 2nd place position

Emerson Hyndman was not in squad today (Ankle Injury) for Bournemouth in their EPL opener against Manchester United - Final Bournemouth 1 - 3 Manchester United

GK Ethan Horvath gets the Shut Out for Molde as they visit Aalesund in Norway's Tippeligaen and leave with 3 points, winning 0 - 2

Royal Fennel was in 18/DNP as Wurzburger were held at home 1 - 1 by Kaiserslautern in Germany's 2Liga

In Germany's Regionalliga (Nordost) Masami Okada went 85 as FC Schonberg visited Luckenwalde and drew 1 - 1

In Finland Kakkonen (Group C) GK Scott Angevine gets the Shut Out as YPA win again (4 out of 5) this time 1 - 0 over 2nd place MuSa

In Iceland Division 2, Vestri overcame Aegir 2 - 0 as Matt Nigro (86) Scored Vestri's opening (and winning) goal. Aegir and Jannik Eckenrode (58 + Yellow) had no answer today and have now lost 4 in a row, relegation problems really will worry them now

In Sweden Superettan, Paul Torres (90) and Assyriska fell 0 - 1 at home to Degerfors a disappointing result for Assyriska, who have lost 4 of the last 5 and are now in the relegation zone 5 points from safety, behind Degerfors

Also in Superettan, AFC United, GK Josh Wicks (90) and Tristan Bowen (59) gave up a 2nd half goal as they visited IK Frej and lost 1 - 0. AFC remain in 3rd place, and are still within range of 2nd place as Halmstad also lost today (2 points separate the teams)

In Sweden Division 2 (Norra Gotaland) Lidkopings FK beat Kortedala IF with GK Jeff Gal getting the Shut Out for Lidkopings

In Iceland Division 2, Jordan Tyler (90) and Hottur beat KV Reykjavik by 3 - 2. Hottur are in 8th (12 team league) place and look sure to end in the middle of the table, as they are to far behind for promotion, and to far ahead for relegation.

Harrison Hanley went 83 minutes for Njardvik as they drew 2 - 2 with Volsungurin Iceland's Division 2.

In Finland's Veikkausliga, Brian Span (90) was credited with the Assist on Mariehamn's first goal, as they went on to beat VPS 0 - 2. The win, the first in 5 games has given Mariehamn the top spot in Veikkausliga.

In Finland Ykkonen, Jaro with Josue Soto (90) and Kyle Curinga (90) visited GrIFK and came away 2 - 3 winners as they continue their rebound (2 wins 2 draws in last 4 games)

Mike Banner (90) and KPV hosted Gabriel Wirtz(in 18/DNP) and Jazz Pori in a 6 goal thriller that ended in a 3 - 3 draw. Both teams with something to play for, Jazz to salvage their season and escape relegation, KPV to move into a promotion spot (they are 4 points behind)

In Kakkonen (Group C) Jossimer Sanchez (90) and Narpes Kraft put together an emphatic 4 - 1 win over Lapua. Narpes are now 6 points clear of the relegation zone

In Sweden's Allsvenskan, Brendon Hines-Ike and Orebro found a way to win at Hacken, 0 - 1, and break a 2 game losing streak and snatch up 3 points, in a very close grouping of teams battling for the last Europa League spot ( Malmo are 6 points ahead of this group of 4 teams)

In Norway's Tippeligaen, Start and Alex De John (in 18/DNP) gained a rare point as they visited Stromsgodset and left with a 1 - 1 draw. Start who almost certainly will be relegated playing spoiler - Stromsgodset were hoping for 3rd place after this weekend

Stabaek are still struggling, but today Cole Grossman (90) was credited with an Assist on their first goal, then later they had to fight back to get a 2 - 2 draw at Viking. Stabaek have now had 4 draws and a loss in their last 5 games, they are 2nd from bottom, but amazingly only 3 points from safety

In a friendly news, Timothy Chandler started for Frankfurt as they beat Spanish side Celta Vigo. Christian Pulisic was not in Dortmund's squad for the German Super Cup (he is playing Monday in another friendly) and Julian Green was in the 18 / DNP for Bayern Munich in their win

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WEEKEND WRAP: 1/2/3/July - Features Iceland, Finland and Sweden and Goalkeepers

Strange weekend, a few games, but no goals, instead we have 3 Shut-Outs. Goalkeepers weekend this. Scott Angevine gets his 2nd straight shut-out, Nathan Stokie and Craig Hill round out the three - Congrats to the American goalkeeper corp across the pond this week. Other than that we are really seeing the leagues shape up, with the bulk of teams/players we watch either vying for promotion or trying to avoid relegation. Still its still early in the (ongoing) seasons and much could change.

On Friday, one American played, in Iceland Jannik Eckenrode went 90 for Aegir as they visited KV in Division 2 play, Aegir started well enough, but ultimately KV won this one with ease at 4 - 1

Saturday

Mike Banner (90) and KPV, hosted Etchu Tabe (90) and Haka in Finland's Ykkonen. KPV took the early lead that they held until the 83rd minute, when following 2 red cards they collapsed giving up 4 goals (83, 90+1, 90+3, 90+4) before the final whistle and a crushing 1 - 4 home defeat. Despite 2 straight loses KPV still leads Ykkonen by 3 points (over Haka)

(Dual) Isaac Kannah (61) and KTP hosted GrIFK and Daniel Stevens (85) in there Ykkonen mid-table clash. GrIFK held a 2 goal advantage at the half, as KTP could only manage a late goal to end the game 1 - 2 in GrIFK's favor

In Kakkonen (Group C) Jossimer Sanchez (70) and Narpes Kraft drew 1 - 1 with League leaders TP-47 on an 81st minute equalizer

GK Scott Angevine and YPA now have the best record in Kakkonen (Group C) through the last 5 games with 13 points from a possible 15. Today Scott registered his 2nd straight Shut-out as YPA visited PPT and came away 0 - 1 winners. I'm guessing all the fall-out at the seasons beginning is now forgotten as YPA move up the table.

In Norway's Tippeligaen, Alex de John (90) and Start visited #3 Haugesund in one of those top v bottom games. Start have been horrendous this season (with 0 wins in 14 games) Today started promising enough with a 0 - 1 lead at the half, but that was as good as it would get as they fall 2 - 1 and remain firmly at the bottom of the league.

In Sweden's Superettan GK Josh Wicks (90) and #1 AFC United had no trouble disposing of #2 Halmstad 4 - 1 in a top of the table match-up ( #3 Sirius - with Patrick Hopkins and Paul Torres, play Assyriska tomorrow and could move top)

In Sweden Division 1 (Norra), Romain Gall (87) and Nykopings took the late lead despite being a man down, only to relinquish it in ET in a game that ended all even at 1 - 1 against #2 Akropolis

In Iceland's Inkasso-deildin, Will Daniels (73 / Yellow Card) and #3 Grindavik visited Fjardabyggd and fought back from 2 goals down to draw 2 - 2

Johnatan Lama (90 / Yellow Card) and Huginn visited Keflavik, as they look for points. The game ended scoreless, but the 1 point (the first in 5 games) draws them closer to fellow cellar dweller Leiknir F. and gives a little hope of revival of the season

In Iceland Division 2, Jordan Tyler (90) and Hottur hosted Magni in a mid-table battle. Hottur prevailed 2 - 1 with both goals coming in the first half

In Sweden's Superettan, Ryan Finley (90) and Angelholms went a goal down early to Degefors, but a goal both sides of half-time gave them the lead which they held on to, winning 2 - 1. This was Angelholms first win in the last 5 games and the 3 points lifted them from last place and into striking distance of safety from the relegation zone

In Iceland Inkasso-deildin, Alexander Ainscough** was in the 18/DNP for Leiknir F. (2nd from bottom) as they visited Thor (2nd from top) in a game where both teams needed maximum points - Thor with 3 points are now tied at the top of the league (with 5 wins in last 5 games) - Leiknir F. are still 2nd from bottom of the 12 team league.
** Alexander Ainscough is a new discovery for me, he joined Leiknir F. in late May. He played college ball at Stamford and Northeastern, and joined his new club straight out of school. Inkasso-deildin is a pretty competitive league, so good move on his part. Looking forward to tracking Alexander in the coming months (and years)
In Iceland Division 2, Vestri with Matt Nigro (90) and GK Cyrus Mohseni (in 18/DNP) faced off with Sindri, as Vestri looked to get back to winning ways. Mission accomplished, a 3 - 1 home win will cheer American coach Joe Funicello, who also received a yellow card on the side-line

SUNDAY

Things are tightening up in Japan's J-League 2 with only 8 points separating 1 from 5. Yamaga and GK Daniel Schmidt had a bit of a shock today as they faced Mito, and were down 2 goals at the half, but they overcame the deficit and won 2 - 3 to retain their 3rd place spot.

In Sweden's Division 1 (Sodra) Oskarshamns and Jochen Graf (10) met their match at Qviding as they fall 3 - 1 in a game of (near) bottom teams

Finland has a pretty busy day today, in Veikkausliiga, first up GK Craig Hill gets the Shut-out as KuPS visited Lahti and came away with a point in a goalless draw.

Kemi and Christian Eissele (9) had 2 red cards as they hosted HIFK in a 1 - 2 home loss. Kemi has now lost their last 4 games and have slipped out of the top 4

In Ykkonen, Kyle Curinga (90) and Josue Soto (90) and Jaro were held to a 1 - 1 draw (Jaro scored both goals) with Oulu

Gabriel Wirtz (90) and Jazz Pori found that GK Tim Murray (90) and Ekenas IF were to much to handle today as the visitors Ekenas IF won this one 1 - 3. Jazz currently are stuck at the bottom of the league, while the win pulls Ekenas IF out of the danger zone.

In Kakkonen (Group A) PEPO 1 had no trouble dispatching Kapa 3 - 0 with GK Nathan Stockie (90) - who gets the Shut-out, and Jakeem Johnson (87) seeing their team win with their first victory in the last 5 attempts

What looked like the perfect start for GBK, with a 2 goal lead at the half, turned into a perfect disaster in the 2nd half. Lawrence Smith (90) and GBK find themselves on the wrong end of a 2 - 4 home defeat by OPS. GBK's 2nd defeat in 2 weeks drops them from 1st place to 4th, but with a close competition at the top of the league (3 points separates the top 6) there is plenty of time to recover and move back up.

In Sweden's Superettan Patrick Hopkins (90) and Paul Torres (in 18/DNP) faced Assyriska FF with the chance to go first at the seasons half-way point. They took their opportunity and won the game 1 - 2 and are now a point clear at the top from Josh Wick's AFC United.

In Norway's Tippeligaen, Stabaek and Cole Grossman (90) continue their troubled season as they lose 0 - 1 at home to Sogndal, Stabaek are now 15th in a 16 team league (they really could use Bob Bradley back)

Also in Norway, GK Alex Horwath sat on the bench as his team Brann visited Sarpsborg and lost 1 - 0, Brann have now lost 3 of their last 5.

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US Goalkeepers Moving Around Across The Pond

Everton will have a special game program tomorrow to celebrate Tim Howard's tenure at the club, very classy. Tim is obviously a very high profile keeper, but there are others playing in Europe and Scandinavia who get less coverage (undeserved) and some are on the move.

Paul Rachubka who spent this season with hapless Bolton Wanderers has been released. Paul has become a bit of a journeyman in England's lower leagues, so it would not surprise to see him latch on to another over the off-season.

Brendan Moore, who had a terrific season on loan to Torquay United, has returned to Fleetwood, where presumably, he will take up the position as backup. Brendan should insist on another loan if that's the case, he should be playing and growing.

Cody Cropper ended the year on a sour note, and reportedly, MK Dons will decide whether or not to cut him this coming week. Cody is one of 5 goalkeepers on the Milton Keynes side, so its understandable that they need to reduce the squad. USYNT Cody is just 23, but he needs to be playing to hone his craft, and maybe another year or 2 with MK Don's as a backup would not be a bad thing.

Chris Konopka, from Toms River New Jersey joined Scottish Premier League side Ross County on a short term contract that will expire on June 30th. Ross County is apparently having Keeper problems, they currently have 3 on the books (incl Chris) with one loanee leaving at the end of May. It would be great to see Chris sign a longer contract with the club. Chris played with the Philadelphia Union and Toronto, in MLS

Tyler Back, joined RoPS in Finland Veikkausliiga, from Oregon State in February. Tyler played 3 times for RoPS in the League Cup allowing only 1 goal and he had 2 shut-outs. Since then he has been loaned to cross-town FC Santa Claus (please don't laugh) playing in Kakkonen Group C. Tyler came in and was made the starter - Tyler is 1 win 2 losses after 3 games.

Finally, Brad Guzan had an up and down season, feels more down than up, his team Aston Villa are relegated to the championship, and as is normally the case, a wholesale departure of players is/will happen. As for Brad, no news at this time - this one is closely watched.

As clubs make their 'Summer adjustments' I will keep an eye on the forgotten goalkeepers and update as things happen. Please if you see a report on a Goalkeeper move et. al. please let me know

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