Yanks for the Memories
A history of American goalkeepers in the Premier League
After Tim Howard’s return to the US and current US No.1 Brad Guzan’s relegation with Aston Villa, the English Premier League has ended a two-decadecade long reliance on American goalkeepers. keepers. That’s the death of a special l relationship but as Howard himself f said there is “no divine right” for r Americans to keep goal in the Premiermier League.
Perhaps there should be. American keepers have been a staple of these first couple of decades of the Premier League but they were not making up the numbers – both Tim Howard and Brad Friedel kept 132 clean sheets, tied for the seventhmost in Premier League history.
Those days, for now, are behind us and until our next American cousin crosses the water, here is a look back at the glory days of all those Premier League goalkeepers who have also shone under Old Glory.
Juergen Sommer – QPR
The first American goalkeeper to play in the Premier League joined Queens Park Rangers in 1995 and enjoyed three seasons at the Super Hoops that included relegation. In 2001, after having already returned to the US, he made a loan move to Bolton Wanderers but didn’t play for the Trotters.
Tim Howard – Manchester United and Everton
The man signed from the NY-NJ Metrostars in 2003 only returned home this summer but in the meantime he became one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Premier League as well as a national hero – US President Obama called up the stopper to congratulate him on a job well done in the 2014 World Cup. Just like every great goalkeeper, Howard has improved with age. His early days at Manchester United were troubled but he became a world-class keeper at Everton and gained well over 100 caps for his country. Now in the MLS at the Colorado Rapids, the 37-year-old is being tipped as the missing link for their MLS Cup run.
Brad Friedel – Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur
The holder of the Premier League’s record for most consecutive appearances (310 games), Friedel started his career playing for the United States Soccer Federation before a tour of Europe that took in Newcastle United, Brondby and Galatasaray prior to being taken on by the Columbus Crew. After a season back home, he was signed by Liverpool, before spells at Blackburn Rovers (where he lifted the League Cup and made the PFA Team of the Year after having gained promotion to the top flight), Aston Villa (where he became their oldest player) and Tottenham Hotspur (for whom he achieved the same honor). The man who started off at the University of California in Los Angeles finished his with 82 caps for the USA.
Marcus Hahnemann – Fulham, Reading, Wolves and Everton (1999-2012)
The heavy metal-loving Hahnemann spent eight seasons at Reading which saw him flit between the Championship and the Premier League and gain cult hero status. Still playing in the MLS at 41 years old with the Seattle Sounders, that was the end of a career that also took in spells as backup at Fulham. Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton, and where went to two World Cups with the USA.
Kasey Keller – Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham
Arguably the greatest of America’s goalkeeping exports, Keller was originally best known for his exploits for the Stars and Stripes where he shutout Brazil in a 1-0 victory back in 1998. Keller went on to represent the USA at four World Cups during a career where he was a staple at Filbert Street after moving from Millwall but also took in stints between the sticks at Spurs, Southampton (on loan) and Fulham, plus Rayo Vallecano and Borussia Monchengladbach. After he headed back to the States in 2009, Keller had an Indian summer, being named as the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2011.
Jeff Cassar – Bolton Wanderers
“Ooh-aah, Jeff Cassar,” sang literally no one ever. Who exactly is the former Bolton Wanderers keeper? No one in the Premier League really knows, given that the American was only at the Reebok Stadium for three months at the tail end of the 2001-02 season (March-June 2012) and didn’t make an appearance. He returned to the MLS, finishing his career at FC Dallas b before becoming assistant manager. C Currently the manager of Real Salt La Lake.
Ian Feuer – West Ham, Derby County
The current LA Galaxy goalkeeping coach made his name at West Ham United after joining the Hammers in 1994. Two years in East London were spent as reserve for Ludek Miklosko before a tour of the English lower leagues which ended with a return to Upton Park and three league appearances before a move to the Rams.
Brad Guzan – Aston Villa
The man who has ended Howard’s international career saw his club career take a nose dive this summer with relegation to the Championship with Aston Villa, despite his best efforts. The former Chivas USA man has excelled for both club and country and has been linked with a move to top flight new boys Middlesbrough. Perhaps he can keep a two-decade link and the Teesiders hopes alive in the Premier League next season.