America has by no means had an issue producing high quality goalkeepers. Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller and Brad Guzan all loved lengthy spells within the Premier League and the following identify to hitch that record could have emerged. Certainly, many anticipate Gabriel ‘Gaga’ Slonina, the Chicago Fireplace No 1 who has already began 25 MLS matches on the age of simply 18, to be the USA’s subsequent nice goalkeeper.
A lot of Europe’s greatest golf equipment share this view – Chelsea and Actual Madrid are reportedly thinking about signing Slonina this summer time. There has additionally been a tug-of-war over the teenager’s worldwide future – Poland supervisor Czeslaw Michniewicz visited Slonina, whose dad and mom are Polish, in Chicago in an try to influence the younger goalkeeper to decide to the nation and even named him in his squad for this month’s Uefa Nations League fixtures.
Slonina finally refused that call-up, stating that his “coronary heart is American,” bringing reduction to those that have lengthy envisaged him turning into the US males’s nationwide staff’s first-choice goalkeeper. Chelsea and Actual Madrid followers could not have heard of Slonina till his identify began to seem within the gossip column, however he's acquainted to loads inside American soccer.
At simply 14, Slonina grew to become the youngest-ever Homegrown signing in MLS historical past earlier than making his senior league debut at 16. He performed an vital function in a goalless draw in opposition to eventual MLS Cup winners New York Metropolis FC in that debut, making him the youngest goalkeeper to ever maintain an MLS clear sheet.
This season, Slonina has performed extra MLS minutes than another Chicago Fireplace participant. Whereas he has made one or two errors, he began his 2022 marketing campaign with 5 clear sheets in seven matches. When requested to set his goal for the season, Slonina stated he needed to interrupt the league’s clear sheet file (17). The 18-year-old has additionally embraced comparisons to Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer, saying “why can’t I be at that degree?” He doesn’t lack confidence.
Nor does he lack skill. At 6ft 4in, Slonina is bodily imposing and he makes good use of it, coming for crosses and spreading himself throughout as a lot of the aim as attainable. Slonina began 11 MLS matches in 2021 and conceded simply 16 targets from an Anticipated Objectives (xG) worth of 19.07.
On prime of all this, Slonina is extra comfy than most keepers with the ball at his toes. Not solely is he competent along with his brief (97.6% completion charge) and medium-length (95.5% competitors charge) passing, he has a pointy eye for selecting out teammates additional ahead – his move completion charge over 40 yards of 45.9% is likely one of the highest in MLS amongst keepers. Slonina, it seems, is the whole bundle.
The 2022 World Cup could come too early for Slonina, however he has the potential to turn into the USMNT No 1, significantly with the present goalkeeping group the topic of a lot dialogue. Zack Steffen and Matt Turner each have their qualities, however in addition they have their flaws. That Sean Johnson was just lately given an opportunity to impress in a pleasant in opposition to Uruguay, signifies that Gregg Berhalter isn’t completely satisfied by the pair. Seattle Sounders veteran Stefan Frei has even been pushed ahead as an possibility.
Berhalter’s choice on who ought to begin for the USA on the 2022 World Cup is about extra than simply selecting a goalkeeper. Certainly, it should say loads about how he needs his staff to play. The selection between Steffen and Turner can also be an ideological one – the previous is extra comfy with the ball at his toes whereas the latter is a extra orthodox shot-stopper. If the USMNT wish to play an expansive sport, Steffen seems the best choice. If, nonetheless, they want to undertake a extra conservative method, Turner might be the higher guess.
There will not be the necessity to make that selection sooner or later if Slonina prospers as predicted. Because of this there may be already a lot expectation heaped on the shoulders of a participant who hasn’t even made his debut at senior worldwide degree.
American soccer has despatched a number of gamers to large golf equipment lately. Christian Pulisic was an early flag-bearer, actually after Chelsea spent €64m to signal him from Borussia Dortmund in 2019, with the likes of Weston McKennie (Juventus), Sergino Dest (Barcelona) and Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig) following his lead in becoming a member of Champions League golf equipment. There has by no means been extra footballing visitors throughout the Atlantic Ocean.
After all, Steffen is a Manchester Metropolis participant whereas Turner will quickly be a part of Arsenal after taking part in his last sport for the New England Revolution later this month, however neither are anticipated to be first-choice at their respective golf equipment subsequent season. Slonina, who by his personal admission needs to turn into “the best goalkeeper on the earth,” can obtain extra. His nation is relying on it.
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