Goalkeeping Tips, Tidbits and Random Thoughts

Bad luck

I'm sure many keepers have had games where their best save of the match was off their own team, or yielded an own goal on a brilliant, unstoppable shot by a teammate. It's unfortunately, and I always say that playing goalkeeper is tough enough without your own team shooting at you!

But sometimes, the bad luck belongs completely to the goalkeeper. A great first save, but an unfortunate conclusion.

Labels: Matchday observations

Comments by Hope Solo and David James

My thoughts on comments by Hope Solo and David James. Every goalkeeper worth their salt thinks they should have a clean sheet every match. Of course, you have to recognize you can't stop everything. But most keepers want that shutout, and often feel with a few tweaks they would have had it.

Thus, David James writes in his blog at the Guardian: "Last week's 7-4 win might have been entertaining viewing, but I never want to be involved in another game like that."

Wrote James, "I couldn't help thinking: 'Is it me?'" Most likely not, but goalkeepers think that way... or at least they should.

There was a big blowup in the Women's World Cup when US keeper Hope Solo was replaced in the semi-final versus Brazil with Brianna Scurry, a veteran who had only played sparingly in previous months. After Solo steamed on the bench during the USA's 4-0 loss to Brazil, she let rip with this: "There's no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves."

While perhaps it was not particularly tactful to say so at that moment, the attitude is one you definitely want in a goalkeeper: I can save that. I can save anything. Bring 'em on.

Labels: Goalkeeping News and Analysis