US Women's National Team Goalkeeper Pool - March 2016

Slowly but surely we've made it to the top 100! A year ago we only had 50 names on the list. It's been a work in progress trying to find enough names to put out a confident list. Looking down the names, you'll notice a number of free agents and a fair amount of college goalkeepers. Unfortunately there aren't as near as many professional opportunities for graduating seniors compared to the men's game. We have thirty free agents on the list and most of them won't be signed. While there are still a few NWSL teams looking for a third string goalkeeper, their best shot is the WPSL or UWS, both starting up in May. If they aren't with a team by summer we'll nix them from the top 100 but until then we'll leave the recent graduates on the list. Five seniors have already been placed with NWSL teams from the college draft and a few more have caught on overseas.

A quick roundup of some notable names:

• Boston gambled on sending Alyssa Naeher (ranked 2nd) to Chicago in exchange for bringing in Libby Stout (1st) from overseas. In the long run, a team should be happy with either goalkeeper and hopefully both teams can utilize the new draft picks they swapped.
• Hope Solo (4th) had a fantastic save against France in the SheBelieves Cup. She returns with Seattle after missing most of the year with the National Team. Backup Haley Kopmeyer (14th) did fantastic in net and if they need to turn to her again, Seattle will be more than happy to.
• Katie Fraine (5th) switches clubs within the Damallsvenskan, Sweden's premier league. She will be joined within the league by Adelaide Gay (11th, whose club was just promoted after last season's performance), Brett Maron (12th, starting her fourth year in the league), and Alyssa Whitehead (17th).
• Orlando City starts their inaugural season with Ashlyn Harris (3rd) and Aubrey Bledsoe (22nd). Similar to Seattle's situation, Bledsoe will likely get a number of games with the Harris going to the Olympics.
• The biggest battle for the number one spot is in Portland. After German legendary goalkeeper Nadine Angerer retired, it's now left to Michelle Betos (6th) and Adrianna Franch (10th) to win the starting spot out west. Franch was called into a USWNT camp late last year and if Portland is going to bring in a goalkeeper to compete, it makes sense that she has the inside track to start.
• Jeannette Williams (16th) is another American goalkeeper playing in a foreign premier league. Read more about her journey there in her interview from February.
• A few recent graduates are trying their hand overseas. Bryane Heaberlin (59th) is heading to Germany with Turbine Potsdam. Alyssa Giannetti (61st) and Madalyn Schiffel (72nd) are moving out to Norway to play for Arna-Bjørnar and Avaldsnes IL, respectively. University of Washington's Megan Kufeld (56th) will be in Sweden with Sundsvalls DFF.
• The NWSL draft had five goalkeepers selected. Britt Eckerstrom (51st), Abby Smith (70th), Caroline Casey (63rd), Lindsey Luke (45th) and Madalyn Schiffel (who opted for Norway instead). It'll be interesting coming back in 2-3 years to see which group of goalkeepers worked out better: overseas or NWSL draftees?

1. Libby Stout (Boston Breakers / USA.1) - 25.8
2. Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars / USA.1) - 27.9
3. Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride / USA.1) - 30.4
4. Hope Solo (Seattle Reign / USA.1) - 34.7
5. Katie Fraine (Vittsjö GIK / Sweden.1) - 28.3
6. Michelle Betos (Portland Thorns FC / USA.1) - 28.1
7. Michele Dalton (Chicago Red Stars / USA.1) - 27.8
8. Brittany Cameron (Sky Blue FC / USA.1) - 29.3
9. Ashley Thompson (Sandviken / Norway.1) - 30.2
10. Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns FC / USA.1) - 25.3

11. Adelaide Gay (Kvarnsveden / Sweden.1) - 26.3
12. Brett Maron (Kristianstad / Sweden.1) - 29.8
13. Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City / USA.1) - 34.4
14. Haley Kopmeyer (Seattle Reign / USA.1) - 25.8
15. Allysa Clark (Masinac Nis / Serbia.1) - 29.5
16. Jeannette Williams (Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar / Iceland.1) - 27.2
17. Alyssa Whitehead (Mallbacken / Sweden.1) - 26.3
18. Alexa Gaul (SC Sand / Germany.1) - 24.8
19. Kelsey Wys (Washington Spirit / USA.1) - 25.1
20. Arianna Criscione (Saint-Étienne / France.1) - 31.1

21. Kelli Cornell (Beach Futbol Club / USA.2P) - 25.5
22. Aubrey Bledsoe (Orlando Pride / USA.1) - 24.3
23. Shelby Tomasello (Höttur / Iceland.2) - 25.4
24. Jillian Mastroianni (New York Athletic Club / USA.2P) - 25.5
25. Katherine Linn (Issy / France.1) - 24.2
25. Dijana Haracic (Krokom/Dvarsatts IF / Sweden.2) - 24.2
27. Che Brown (Free Agent / None) - 23.8
28. Rebecca Ritchie (Real Salt Lake Women / USA.2W) - 28.2
29. Jami Kranich (Boston Breakers / USA.1) - 23.8
30. Emily Kruger (Portland Thorns FC / USA.1) - 24.2

31. Lindsey Maricic (LA Premier FC / USA.2P) - 23.9
32. Megan Kinneman (Arna-Bjørnar / Norway.1) - 23.8
33. Robyn Horner (Free Agent / None) - 31.2
34. Kaycee Gunion (San Diego Sea Lions / USA.2P) - 26.2
35. Victoria Christ (Västerås BK30 / Sweden.2) - 24.2
36. Paige Burnett (Free Agent / None) - 23.4
37. Audrey Baldwin (Fortuna Hjørring / Denmark.1) - 24
38. Caroline Stanley (Sky Blue FC / USA.1) - 23
39. McKenzie Sauerwein (Thróttur Reykjavík / Iceland.1) - 23.8
40. Valerie Henderson (Ankarsrum / Sweden.5) - 29.9

41. Kelsey Quinn (Heidelberg / Australia.1) - 25.2
42. Brianna Alvarado (Cincinnati Lady Saints / USA.2P) - 25.6
43. Monica Gonyo (Free Agent / None) - 23.4
44. Katherine Courter (Free Agent / None) - 24.2
45. Lindsey Luke (Seattle Reign / USA.1) - 23.4
46. Katelyn Rowland (FC Kansas City / USA.1) - 22
47. Lyndse Hokanson (Free Agent / None) - 23.9
48. Morgan Glick (IA Akranes / Iceland.1) - 22.8
49. Alex Kubrick (Free Agent / None) - 23.8
50. Megan Tock (Free Agent / None) - 23.8

51. Britt Eckerstrom (Western New York Flash / USA.1) - 22.8
52. Holly Van Noord (Liberty / USA.N) - 21.6
53. Jane Campbell (Stanford / USA.N) - 21.1
54. Emma Crenshaw (FC Pride / USA.2P) - 23.4
55. Lauren Watson (Texas Tech / USA.N) - 22.3
56. Megan Kufeld (Sundsvalls DFF / Sweden.2) - 23
57. Rachel Boaz (BYU / USA.N) - 24.2
58. Jordan Day (Houston Dash / USA.1) - 22.9
59. Bryane Heaberlin (Turbine Potsdam / Germany.1) - 22.3
60. Laura Saussol (Pittsburgh Steel City / USA.2P) - 23.2

61. Alyssa Giannetti (Arna-Bjørnar / Norway.1) - 21.4
62. Julie Eckel (Free Agent / None) - 23.3
63. Caroline Casey (Sky Blue FC / USA.1) - 21.8
64. Kathryn Scheele (Free Agent / None) - 21.6
65. Patty Walrath (Houston Aces / USA.2P) - 23.7
66. Tarah Hobbs (Minnesota / USA.N) - 20.8
67. Chandler Morris (Free Agent / None) - 23.2
68. Shauni Kerkhoff (Temple / USA.N) - 22.2
68. Brittany Brown (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
70. Abby Smith (Boston Breakers / USA.1) - 22.4

71. Taylor Francis (Pittsburgh / USA.N) - 21
72. Madalyn Schiffel (Avaldsnes IL / Norway.1) - 21.5
73. Brianna Smallidge (Free Agent / None) - 22.3
74. Sammy Jo Prudhomme (USC / USA.N) - 22.1
75. Natalie Smith (Cincinnati / USA.N) - 22.3
76. Jennifer Pelley (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
77. Emma Newins (Free Agent / None) - 23.2
77. Sierra Bonham (Free Agent / None) - 23.2
79. Andi Tostanoski (Free Agent / None) - 21.6
80. Kelsey Brouwer (Free Agent / None) - 21.8

81. Emily Rusk (Free Agent / None) - 22.1
82. Hannah Seabert (Pepperdine / USA.N) - 21.2
83. Katie Nickles (Rhode Island / USA.N) - 21.1
84. Ashton McKeown (Long Beach State / USA.N) - 21.3
85. Kaeli Anne Schmidt (Barcelona / Spain.1) - 20.8
86. Hannah Steadman (Free Agent / None) - 23.4
87. Sam Pavlika (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
88. Emma Kruse (Free Agent / None) - 22.8
89. Ellen Conway (Free Agent / None) - 21.9

90. Alexis Connors (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
90. Stephanie Senn (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
90. Amanda Engel (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
90. Claire Feiertag (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
90. Sam Tiongson (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
90. Rachel Ames (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
90. Sydney Drinkwater (Florida Atlantic / USA.N) - 22.2
90. Kalijah Terilli (Penn / USA.N) - 22.2
90. Gabrielle Garuder (Michigan State / USA.N) - 22.2
99. Mimi Borkan (New Hampshire / USA.N) - 21.4
100. Hannah Clark (Free Agent / None) - 22.4

Click here for the history of the USWNT Goalkeeper Pool

Top 100 American Goalkeepers - February 2016

The top 100 is back after a four month absence. To be honest, this is my least favorite time to put out the rankings because the offseason means a lot for players playing in the US. We saw a number of goalkeepers come in much better shape (and some worse) from where they left off the season before. The upcoming spring is a great time to view the product of a goalkeeper's winter. Looking back at last spring, you'll see a number of goalkeepers moving up and down. But we still have a few goalkeepers to introduce into the top 100.

Richard Sanchez (24)
Brendan Moore (51)
Jesse Gonzalez (76)
Scott Krotee (81)

I put both Sanchez and Gonzalez in the list, despite the dual nationals being more likely to play for Mexico over the US. Since we never really know how it's going to play out, we'll leave them in there for now. Brendan Moore is finally back on the field and Scott Krotee is keeping sharp by playing some indoor. Alex Bono (96) returns for the first time since August 2014. Trey Mitchell (90) and Dom DiMaggio (100) slide back into the group after just a few months of being left out.

1. Brad Guzan (Aston Villa / England.1) - 31.4
2. Tim Howard (Everton FC / England.1) - 36.9
3. Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders / USA.1) - 29.8
4. Luis Robles (New York Red Bulls / USA.1) - 31.8
5. Bill Hamid (DC United / USA.1) - 25.3
6. Tyler Deric (Houston Dynamo / USA.1) - 27.5
7. William Yarbrough (Leon / Mexico.1) - 26.9
8. Andrew Dykstra (DC United / USA.1) - 30.1
9. Tim Melia (Sporting Kansas City / USA.1) - 28.9
10. Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake / USA.1) - 36.7

11. Steve Clark (Columbus Crew / USA.1) - 29.8
12. Jimmy Maurer (New York Cosmos / USA.2) - 28.3
13. Evan Bush (Montreal Impact / USA.1) - 29.9
14. Chris Seitz (FC Dallas / USA.1) - 28.9
15. Joe Willis (Houston Dynamo / USA.1) - 27.5
16. Brian Rowe (Los Angeles Galaxy / USA.1) - 27.3
17. Bobby Shuttleworth (New England Revolution / USA.1) - 28.8
18. Patrick McLain (Chicago Fire / USA.1) - 27.5
19. David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes / USA.1) - 26.3
20. Alex Horwath (SK Brann / Norway.2) - 28.9

21. Ryan Meara (New York Red Bulls / USA.1) - 25.3
22. Clint Irwin (Toronto FC / USA.1) - 26.8
23. Tally Hall (Free Agent / None) - 30.8
24. Richard Sanchez (Tigres UANL / Mexico.1) - 21.8
25. Scott Goodwin (Louisville City FC / USA.3) - 25.3
26. Jeff Attinella (Real Salt Lake / USA.1) - 27.4
27. Matt Pyzdrowski (Helsingborg IF / Sweden.1) - 29.5
28. Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire / USA.1) - 26.8
29. Andrew Fontein (Minnesota United FC / USA.2) - 25.9
30. Matt Pickens (Tampa Bay Rowdies / USA.2) - 33.8

31. Andrew Weber (Free Agent / None) - 32.5
32. Austin Guerrero (Puebla FC / Mexico.1) - 26.9
33. Quentin Westberg (Sarpsborg 08 / Norway.1) - 29.8
34. Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City / USA.1) - 22.8
35. Zac MacMath (Colorado Rapids / USA.1) - 24.5
36. Matt Lampson (Free Agent / None) - 26.4
37. Joseph Bendik (Orlando City SC / USA.1) - 26.8
38. Dan Kennedy (Los Angeles Galaxy / USA.1) - 33.6
39. Brad Stuver (Columbus Crew / USA.1) - 24.8
40. Devala Gorrick (Colorado Springs Switchbacks / USA.3) - 28.6

41. Brian Sylvestre (Carolina RailHawks / USA.3) - 23.2
42. Josh Saunders (New York City FC / USA.1) - 34.9
43. Kyle Reynish (Free Agent / None) - 32.3
44. Evan Newton (Sacramento Republic / USA.3) - 27.8
45. Bryan Meredith (San Jose Earthquakes / USA.1) - 26.5
46. Mitch Hildebrandt (FC Cincinnati / USA.3) - 27.3
47. Matt Van Oekel (FC Edmonton / USA.2) - 29.4
48. John Berner (Colorado Rapids / USA.1) - 25
49. David Meves (Free Agent / None) - 26.6
50. Jon Busch (Indy Eleven / USA.2) - 39.5

51. Brendan Moore (Fleetwood Town / England.3) - 23.8
52. Akira Fitzgerald (Carolina RailHawks / USA.2) - 28.6
53. Jon Dawson (Free Agent / None) - 24.9
54. John McCarthy (Philadelphia Union / USA.1) - 23.6
55. Alec Kann (Sporting Kansas City / USA.1) - 25.5
56. Nathan Stockie (Jippo / Finland.3) - 26.9
57. Chris Konopka (Free Agent / None) - 30.8
58. Kyle Zobeck (New York Cosmos / USA.2) - 26
59. David Yelldell (Bayer Leverkusen / Germany.1) - 35.1
60. Brad Knighton (New England Revolution / USA.1) - 31

61. Darius Motazed (TuS Koblenz / Germany.4) - 26.6
62. Scott Angevine (Kokkolan Palloveikot / Finland.3) - 26.8
63. Will Dieterich (Haukar Hafnarfjördur / Iceland.2) - 28.9
64. Carl Woszczynski (Arizona United / USA.3) - 27.8
65. Josh Wicks (AFC United / Sweden.2) - 32.3
66. Adam Grinwis (Rochester Rhinos / USA.3) - 23.8
67. Diego Restrepo (Fort Lauderdale Strikers / USA.2) - 28
68. Eric Kronberg (Montreal Impact / USA.1) - 32.6
69. Brandon Miller (OC Blues FC / USA.3) - 26.2
70. Ethan Horvath (Molde FK / Norway.1) - 20.7

71. Josh Ford (Free Agent / None) - 28.3
72. Trevor Spangenberg (Free Agent / None) - 24.8
73. Caleb Patterson-Sewell (Rayo OKC / USA.2) - 28.8
74. Daryl Sattler (Free Agent / None) - 35.4
75. Daniel Withrow (Free Agent / None) - 25.8
76. Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas / USA.1) - 20.8
77. Patrick Lane (Karlstad BK / Sweden.4) - 27.5
78. Tom Al Madon (Hapoel Tel Aviv FC / Israel.1) - 31.3
79. Lionel Brown (Free Agent / None) - 28.4
80. Zac Lubin (Swope Park Rangers / USA.3) - 26.5

81. Scott Krotee (Free Agent / None) - 26
82. Andre Rawls (New York City FC / USA.1) - 26.1
83. Kris Devaux (Baerum SK / Norway.2) - 24.8
84. Sebastian Evers (Jacksonville Armada / USA.2) - 25.1
85. Charlie Lyon (Seattle Sounders / USA.1) - 23.8
86. Kenneth Kronholm (Holstein Kiel / Germany.3) - 30.3
87. Nick Shackelford (Los Angeles Galaxy II / USA.3) - 25.3
88. Cody Mizell (Charlotte Independence / USA.3) - 24.4
89. Justin Luthy (Portland Timbers II / USA.3) - 24.8
90. Trey Mitchell (Free Agent / None) - 24.8

91. Ryan Taylor (Richmond Kickers / USA.3) - 25.7
92. Warren Gross (Western Mass Pro Soccer / USA.4) - 27.1
93. Matt Perrella (Carolina RailHawks / USA.2) - 25.1
94. Tony Halterman (Free Agent / None) - 25.1
95. Alex Riggs (St. Louis FC / USA.3) - 27.9
96. Alex Bono (Toronto FC / USA.1) - 21.8
97. Rafael Diaz (New York Red Bulls II / USA.3) - 24.5
98. Kevin Corby (Charleston Battery / USA.3) - 24.9
99. Robby Gogatz (Southern California Seahorses / USA.4) - 24.9
100. Dom DiMaggio (Seacoast United Phantoms / USA.4) - 24

Top U24 USMNT Prospects

USMNT Prospects returns as well. Remember the rankings takes current and potential into account, so it inevitably will lean towards the older goalkeepers. Goalkeepers must be under 24 to be on the list.

1. Richard Sanchez (Tigres UANL / Mexico.1) - 21.8
2. Ethan Horvath (Molde FK / Norway.1) - 20.7
3. Jon Kempin (Sporting Kansas City / USA.1) - 22.8
4. Jesse Gonzalez (FC Dallas / USA.1) - 20.8
5. Brian Sylvestre (Carolina RailHawks / USA.3) - 23.2
6. John McCarthy (Philadelphia Union / USA.1) - 23.6
7. Brendan Moore (Fleetwood Town / England.3) - 23.8
8. Alex Bono (Toronto FC / USA.1) - 21.8
9. Adam Grinwis (Rochester Rhinos / USA.3) - 23.8
10. Zack Steffen (SC Freiburg / Germany.1) - 20.8
11. Charlie Lyon (Seattle Sounders / USA.1) - 23.8
12. Cody Cropper (MK Dons / England.2) - 23

The race for the Mexican-American goalkeepers is definitely one for the future. Sanchez would have to file a one-time switch but it's not unheard of. Almost all of the American-based goalkeepers have some stiff competition for playing time so this spring is certainly important for them to get a foothold. The prospects list will be graduating out Moore, Grinwis, and Lyon by the time the next release rolls around.

13. Zach Bennett (Free Agent / None) - 22.2
14. Devin Perales (Rio Grande Valley FC / USA.3) - 22.8
15. Austin Rogers (Besa Kavajë / Albania.2) - 20.5
16. Eric Klenofsky (Monmouth / USA.N) - 21.4
17. Tyler Miller (Seattle Sounders II / USA.3) - 22.9
18. Paul Blanchette (Free Agent / None) - 21.8
19. Jake Feener (Tulsa Roughnecks / USA.3) - 23.8
20. Spencer Richey (Vancouver Whitecaps II / USA.3) - 23.8
21. Matt Bersano (Free Agent / None) - 23.4
22. Keith Cardona (Indy Eleven / USA.2) - 23.3
23. Jeff Caldwell (Virginia / USA.N) - 20
24. Andrew Tarbell (San Jose Earthquakes / USA.1) - 22.3

Feener and Richey get one last run on the prospect list while Bennett (trailing with Chicago), Blanchette (Arizona) and Bersano (Seattle) are all trying to find a club at the moment. Devin Perales stayed in state after Austin Aztex folded and Keith Cardona will be joined by Jon Busch this season.

The Best of the Rest

25. Abraham Romero (Los Angeles Galaxy / USA.1) - 18
26. Alexandros Tabakis (Charleston Battery / USA.3) - 23.2
27. Alec Ferrell (Wake Forest / USA.N) - 21.9
28. William Pulisic (Duke / USA.N) - 17.8
29. Andrew Wolverton (Free Agent / None) - 22.7
30. Benjamin Machini (RCD Mallorca B / Spain.4) - 19.4
31. Jeff Gal (Lidköpings FK / Sweden.4) - 22.8
31. Travis Worra (DC United / USA.1) - 22.8
33. Ashkan Khosravi (Free Agent / None) - 22.1
34. Keegan Rogers (Free Agent / None) - 22.8
35. Matt Cardone (Free Agent / None) - 22.7
36. Kevin Silva (UCLA / USA.N) - 18.1
37. Danny Rogers (Falkirk FC / Scotland.2) - 21.9
38. Nathan Steinwascher (Free Agent / None) - 23.1
39. JT Marcinkowski (Georgetown / USA.N) - 18.8
40. Wade Hamilton (Portland Timbers / USA.1) - 21.4
41. Calle Brown (Houston Dynamo / USA.1) - 23.6
42. Justin Vom Steeg (UC Santa Barbara / USA.N) - 18.8
43. Kyle Renfro (Harrisburg City Islanders / USA.3) - 23.8
44. Kamil Kaminski (Icon FC / USA.4) - 22.3
45. Zack Downes (Free Agent / None) - 22.8
46. Mason Stajduhar (Orlando City SC / USA.1) - 18.2
47. Michael Breslin (Free Agent / None) - 22.1
48. Anthony Ferrara (Free Agent / None) - 20.8
49. Grayson Rector (Belmont / USA.N) - 21.5
50. Erich Marscheider (Free Agent / None) - 23.1

Benjamin Machini Interview: Swedish American Goalkeeper Continues to Develop Overseas

Benjamin Machini is goalkeeper currently playing in Spain with RCD Mallorca's second team, RCD Mallorca B. The nineteen year old is a dual citizen with the US and Sweden and has been playing in Spain for almost three years now, after playing with SBV Excelsior in the Netherlands. Machini possesses an intense mentality towards the game and displays some great reflexes. The young goalkeeper talks about his connection with the US, what he has gained as a goalkeeper playing overseas, and his future goals.

What’s your connection to the US? How much time have you spent in America?

I was born in Ketchikan, Alaska but spent most of my childhood years growing up in Hollywood, Florida. I lived in Florida up until I was about 13 when I decided to move to Sweden, mainly because of the fact of my love for the game of soccer. When I was 15 I returned to the U.S. for one season at the Real Salt Lake-AZ academy. After that season I moved to the Netherlands. 

Describe your game to someone who hasn’t watched you before. How do you impact the game and what aspects are you still looking to develop?

I try to help my team as much as possible, I try to be able to leave the field saying that I did everything possible to win. I hate losing and I am told to be very intense and aggressive on the field, but in a positive way. I don't like hearing silence during the game. In this way I try to be as vocal as possible. Depending on the intensity of the match, I might lose my voice from being too vocal time to time. But these are things which I base my game on, to be able to stay focused for 90 minutes and to make sure the team is as organized as possible. Especially during games which I don't touch a ball for 20 minutes, and then all of the sudden I'm called into action and have to be there for your team. This is the part of my game which I am trying to develop most. The part spectators don't understand. The ability to do practically nothing for 89 minutes, and in the 90th minute, do your job, help your team. To me this is a real skill. 

As far as how I impact the game, I like to think that I do it in a positive way. I am extremely competitive. (On a sidenote, I have an older brother who played football. Winning was everything between me and him. Be it basketball or ping pong) Being intense and vocal, not letting anyone switch off for a second, including myself. Then doing my job and making a few saves along the way. My job is to keep clean sheets and avoid letting balls into the goal, by any means necessary, for the ultimate goal of the game which is to win. It's quite simple actually, but obviously not easy at all. 

You’ve played in the Netherlands with Excelsior and now Spain with RCD Mallorca. How has your time with the two clubs helped your game?

At Excelsior, when I was 16-17, I had the privilege of being a part of the first team for a whole year, which I learned a lot about the world of professional soccer. In the Netherlands, the game is extremely possession based. This made me improve my game with the ball at my feet, due to the fact that in the Netherlands the goalkeeper will have the ball at his feet many more times than in his hands. The goalkeepers in the Netherlands are expected to be able to build up from the back very comfortably. During a normal match in the Netherlands, goalkeepers will receive the ball many times under pressure and be asked to keep possession. 

Here in Mallorca, I have learned many things. The goalkeeper coaches I have had here in Spain are a very high level. They expect an equally high level from each goalkeeper as well, which makes the training sessions very competitive and intense. This makes us ready for the matches by miles. The training regimen is very complete, working on every aspect of the game possible, which turns you into a very complete goalkeeper. However, what they help us the most in is decision making, tactically and technically. They believe, and I believe this to be true, that the game is played mostly with the mind, and that the game is played by intelligent players at the highest levels. So correct decision making is vital when it comes to playing well and developing. 

Tell us a little bit about environment you’re currently in. What is something you were surprised to find at RCD Mallorca?

The environment at the club is very professional. All of the players have hopes of making it into the first team. So the coaches and staff expect the most out of each and every one of us every time we play. The expectations are high, which makes the level of the training sessions and games always very sharp. 

What surprised me is how huge the club actually is. I mean, I knew RCD Mallorca was a big club. I grew up watching La Liga on tv with my dad and now actually being here is a blessing. But I did not know the history of the club and what it means to this island until I moved here and lived it myself. Being on the reserves, we play against a lot of local teams. Every time you play a local team, to them it's a final. It is that simple. This is the biggest club on the island, so RCD Mallorca is like playing against Barcelona to them or Real Madrid.

This means that every week we (Mallorca B) are playing against sides that have unbelievable amounts of motivation to get a result. They don't care how, just to be able to say they beat Mallorca is priceless. Which again, always keeps us as sharp as possible because we know we get no easy matches. Almost every match is a hard fought battle. I really did not understand it, until I experienced it myself.

What’s the goal in five years? Is there a specific league or country you’re looking to establish yourself in?

In five years I really can't say. I like to take things step by step towards just getting better and learning as much as possible. The short term goals are what I look at the most. I am very happy with where I am right now, but obviously the next goal is to break into the first team. First, helping my team as much as I possibly can to get promoted to "Segunda B", and go from there. The idea is just constant improvement, and I believe things will take care of themselves if I focus on that.  

As far as where I would like to play, I love the Spanish league and the passion for the game here. I hope to be able to play in La Liga one day for Mallorca. I also am a huge fan of the [English] Premier League. For now though, like I said, I am just focused on my job with my team, and developing as much as possible along the way.

The USMNT hasn’t played Sweden since 2009 so it doesn’t look like anything is going to change soon, but let’s say they were to play a friendly tomorrow. Who are you rooting for?

Believe it or not I am asked this question quite frequently. The truth is that I hope for a tie or a result that could benefit both teams. I know this is a very neutral answer, but it is the truth. I love both countries deeply and I am very grateful to be considered both American and Swedish. I know my mother would be rooting for Sweden though! 

Jeannette Williams Interview: From NAIA to Iceland's Premier League

Jeannette Williams is a American goalkeeper playing for Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar (or FH for a much shorter term) in Iceland's premier division, the Pepsi League. FH was recently promoted to the Pepsi League after finishing second in the table and have signed the American goalkeeper to help bolster their goalkeeping depth chart. Williams talks about her journey to Iceland, the ins and outs of playing abroad, and what it takes to get to the next level.

How in the world did you end up playing for an NAIA school then working up to Iceland’s premier league?

I wasn't expecting to play my freshman year at RMU [Robert Morris University], because their senior keeper was also Ghana's National Team starting keeper with great experience and ability. Ghana ended up making it into the world cup that year, so my playing time came right away. Playing in the NAIA was competitive and my teammates were star players from all over the world: England, Norway, Brazil, Columbia and Ghana, to name a few. When I was looking at what college to play for, I chose the one that I thought would give me the best experience and allow me to truly enjoy playing soccer for four more years. Playing at Robert Morris University in the NAIA, from my teammates to my coaches and the overall experience was what gave me the work ethic and passion to continue pushing myself, simply for the love of the game. It also gave me the opportunity to compete for a national title. My senior year, we made it to the Elite Eight of the National Tournament.

From there, a former teammate of mine at FC Indiana, Lorena, got me in touch with Damon Wilson of Transfair Sports Group. He obtained my first offer from Olafsvik Vikingur in Iceland, a new team entering the first division. I spent three straight seasons with them and had a great experience. We played FH twice last season, which is the team I have now signed with for the upcoming season. I played well in both games against them which sparked their interest. They are moving back up to the top league this season, and I am excited to compete in this environment.

Ultimately, a college experience that further enhanced my love for the game and a good friend that pushed me to find playing opportunities gave me my chance. After that, the platform of playing at Vikingur and working hard to be ready come game day gave me the chance to be seen and make it to a higher level.

What advice would you have for a player trying to play professionally?

Most importantly, believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who believe in you just the same. My support system has always been great and is a big part of the reason that I have been successful. I cannot stress enough how important my parents, my family, and my friends have been through this journey. Find the people that push you to be your best, and keep them close.

For players that want to get to the next level, you must be willing to start where you can. I know many players turn down offers because they just "aren't good enough". They end up not having a career because they always wait for the perfect offer, and that never comes. The truth is, no offer will ever be perfect. The only question then is, am I going to pass up an offer and risk not playing, or am I going to play? Players need to know how to work their way up, and be determined and patient enough to put in the time and sacrifice it will take to make your goal, or dream, a reality.

Tell us about Icelandic football. What’s something outsiders probably don’t realize about their game? How does it compare to the American game?

Football in Iceland is huge! Iceland's women's soccer team is number nineteen in the world and the Premier League is considered one of the top leagues for women. Every town seems to have a team with a loyal fan base and community that supports them. Many teams are from the capital area, but there are also teams in smaller towns. Overall, the facilities, fields, and players are very professional on both the men's and women's side. Many kids play soccer and are there to watch and support their teams. It's rare to walk by an open field and not see kids playing a pick up game on it, even if it is 40 degrees out and raining.

The biggest difference I notice between playing in the states and playing in Iceland is the physical side of the game. My first couple of games in Iceland, I got hit hard after catching a couple of balls. I was shocked there was no foul called, but after a few hard hits and no whistles, I realized that's just the way the game is played. Since then, I focused on becoming stronger so that I can hold on to the ball even when I am hit late and I can better protect myself.

“Many players turn down offers because they just ‘aren’t good enough’. They end up not having a career because they always wait for the perfect offer, and that never comes.”

What’s a common question you’re asked being an American foreigner?

Many Icelanders have asked me over the last few years why I chose to come to Iceland. I think people that have lived there their whole life are not as absorbed in the beauty of their country as most travelers are. It really is a phenomenal place to see. Being able to live there and make a living through soccer makes it a dream come true. So while some might be surprised at my choice to keep going back, I look at it as living my dream, and am happy to continue doing so.

What’s the outlook on FH's season? Where do you sit in the depth chart? I thought I read that you’ll also be in a coaching position there?

FH has experience in the Pepsi League. They have been there in past years. They spent the last season in the 1st division [the second level, underneath the Pepsi League] and were able to earn their way back into Pepsi. From what I saw playing against them, they have great team qualities, from effort to culture to organization.

I really enjoyed playing with Vikingur the last few years, so in order to make a move I had to be confident it was to a team with good team qualities, like FH. I hope we will have a successful season that includes being able to go for the win against any team we play. Their head coach, Orri Þórðarson, is a UEFA A License coach and I know I will learn from his guidance. I currently hold my USSF National C License, and when I retire from playing I have aspirations to coach at a high level. I was the assistant coach of Vikingur the last two years and I am eager to learn from Orri and his coaching methods this year. He is also the head of the youth club that supports over 900 players, so I will be coaching some of the youth players in my time there also.