The soccer keeper position is of utmost importance in the most popular sport in the world: soccer (aka fútbol or actual football). Otherwise known as the keeper, the goalie’s job is simple yet one of the hardest to do on the pitch: keep the ball away from the net.
The keeper is called upon to also make clutch saves when the team needs it during penalty kicks, either during the match or if the game comes to it after overtime when a winner still needs to be decided. Then it’s just you and the penalty kicker with grass separating the two as all eyes are on the matchup. Pressure? You could say so. But you need to be able to thrive under it as a soccer goalie.
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These soccer keepers, or goalies, playing today do exactly that.
They are some of the best in today’s game. While we’re here, too, gotta’ shout out all the goalies, the OG’s who have played the game before, paving the way for these goalies to do their thing today. You know ’em, you love ’em, and there’s plenty of lists dedicated to ’em. This list, in particular, will tackle goalies playing in the Premiere League and MLS specifically. I know, there’s a lot more good goalies throughout the world so to keep this one focused, in particular it’ll be the best MLS and Premiere League goalies today based off of their saves so far in their respective leagues.
The stats in this list are according to the Premiere League during this 2021-22 season and MLS during its 2021 season so far.
Honorable Mention: Tim Howard
Just recently retired (per Transfer Markt), Tim Howard is arguable the best American keeper in the sport’s history.
25 Of The Best Soccer Keepers In Today’s Game
25 – Bernd Leno
Aresenal’s keeper has four saves this season so far.
24 – Alex McCarthy
Southampton’s goalie, McCarthy’s got five saves to start the season so far.
23 – Emiliano Martínez
Aston Villa’s keeper, Martínez has chalked up five saves so far.
22 – David de Gea
Another formidable squad, Manchester United, has de Gea as its netminder, who’s also got five saves to start the season so far.
21 – Carlos Coronel
The first MLS goalie on this list, the New York Red Bulls goalkeeper has 56 saves so far in a MLS season that has been well underway since April (per Fox Sports). The Premiere League just started this month (per the Premiere League).
20 – Édourard Mendy
Being Chelsea’s keeper is one of the best positions in any sport and Mendy handles it well on the pitch, so far gathering four saves in the 2021-22 season so far.
19 – David Raya
Brentford’s keeper has six saves already to start the season.
18 – Eloy Room
Eloy Room lives little room in net for the opposing team to score. So far, Room’s got 57 saves in the MLS season with the Columbus Crew.
17 – Alex Bono
Toronto FC’s netminder, Bono is channeling his inner U2 Bono, helping the club have beautiful days (get it, one of U2’s songs), by tallying up 59 saves so far in the MLS season.
16 – William Yarbrough
Colorado Rapids’ goalkeeper, Yarbrough’s got his team’s back with 60 saves.
15 – Matt Turner
In New England, you’ve obsiously got the Patriots. And you’ve also got the Revolution, the Boston-area’s soccer team, where Turner’s in net, getting 61 saves. Oh and the two teams just so happen to share a stadium (Gillette Field per Turner’s tweet).
14 – Marko Maric
When your name is Marko Maric, you’re just bound for success, specifically in soccer, as a goalkeeper. And Maric has gathered up 63 saves so far this season with Houston Dynamo FC.
13 – Bobby Shuttleworth
Bobby Shuttleworth keeps Chicago Fire FC’s net and so far has 67 saves to help Chi-town.
12 – JT Marcinkowski
The San Jose Earthquakes’ netminder has 72 saves thus far in the MLS season.
11 – Kasper Schmeichel
Leicester City’s keeper is another position where its fans have your back. Of course, the club won its first Premiere League title in 2015-16 (per Google) and who was in net that season? Schmeichel.
10 – Andre Blake
In the city of ‘brotherly love’, Blake is Philadelphia Union’s netminder and as 53 saves in the season so far for Philly.
9 – Jordan Pickford
Everton’s keeper, Pickford picks apart Premiere League offenses with his staunch play in net, so far racking up four saves on the season.
8 – Jonathan Bond
The name’s Bond. Jonathan Bond. And he’s become one of the best goalies in the MLS this season so far, as the LA Galaxy keeper is currently second in the league with 79 saves.
7 – Vicente Guaita
Crystal Palace’s netminder has six saves so far during the Premiere League season.
6 – Illan Meslier
Making the jump from six saves to nine, Leeds United keeper Illan Meslier is one of the top Premiere League goalies so far in this opening start to the season so far.
5 – Brad Stuver
The top MLS goalie on this list, Brad Stuver makes it into the top five amongst the Premiere League dudes. Stuver’s play in net is premiere-deserving, leading the MLS by a lot so far this season with 87 saves. Austin FC’s keeper is the only dude to get more than 80 saves so far.
4 – José Sá
The Wolverhampton Wanderers’ keeper has nine saves to start the season so far.
3 – Nick Pope
Burnley’s keeper Nick Pope is tied for first in the Premiere League so far with ten saves, starting out strong for his club.
2 – Hugo Lloris
If you watched Amazon Prime’s series highlighting Tottenham Hotspur FC, you saw Lloris in net for the club. You still see him with the club, tied with Pope leading the way in saves so far in the Premiere League.
1 – Alisson
Only one name is needed here. Alisson. And Liverpool’s goalie has gathered six saves so far this season. Alisson’s Twitter bio says it all (as translated by Google): “Liverpool FC and Brazilian national team goalkeeper. Belong to Jesus!”
There you have it. The list of 25 of the best soccer keepers in today’s game. Hope you enjoyed this list. Let me know who your favorite goalie is on this list or another who isn’t on this list in the comments! And don’t forget about the many other lists on At The Buzzer.
Go defend your own today! Your values, your family, your loved ones…defending is an important role in the net and in life.
Contents
- 1 These soccer keepers, or goalies, playing today do exactly that.
- 2 Honorable Mention: Tim Howard
- 3 25 Of The Best Soccer Keepers In Today’s Game
- 4 25 – Bernd Leno
- 5 24 – Alex McCarthy
- 6 23 – Emiliano Martínez
- 7 22 – David de Gea
- 8 21 – Carlos Coronel
- 9 20 – Édourard Mendy
- 10 19 – David Raya
- 11 18 – Eloy Room
- 12 17 – Alex Bono
- 13 16 – William Yarbrough
- 14 15 – Matt Turner
- 15 14 – Marko Maric
- 16 13 – Bobby Shuttleworth
- 17 12 – JT Marcinkowski
- 18 11 – Kasper Schmeichel
- 19 10 – Andre Blake
- 20 9 – Jordan Pickford
- 21 8 – Jonathan Bond
- 22 7 – Vicente Guaita
- 23 6 – Illan Meslier
- 24 5 – Brad Stuver
- 25 4 – José Sá
- 26 3 – Nick Pope
- 27 2 – Hugo Lloris
- 28 1 – Alisson
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