How can you say this player was so good when you never saw him play? It's the go-to argument for when a player of the past is mentioned in a positive light. I'm sure you've heard it dozens... [READ MORE]
Classic GK Analysis: Manuel Neuer’s performance vs. Algeria was nothing short of iconic.
Every player has that one game that we remember them for; that performance that trumps any other single-game show the player has put on. It's not just one spectacular goal or gritty tackle; this is... [READ MORE].
GK Analysis: Muslera save shows how important a one-man wall can be.
It's a victory 21 years in the making. For the first time since 1999, Galatasaray beat their cross-town rival Fenerbahçe in Kadıköy, Istanbul. The reigning Süper Lig champions defeated their eternal enemies by a score of 3-1... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: What to make of Thibaut Courtois on Levante’s game-winner?
Stop me if you've heard this before: Thibaut Courtois' error cost Real Madrid a win. It seems to be the story of his Los Blancos career. Since controversially forcing his way to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in 2018, Courtois'... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: Last-minute save showcases all of Oblak’s strengths.
Jan Oblak clearly doesn't believe in New Year's resolutions. While most of us are spending our first days of 2020 living through our "new year, new me" fantasies, Oblak has continued doing what he's always... [READ MORE].
The 2010s: Top 10 goalkeepers of the past decade (Men, 5th to 1st).
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE].
The 2010s: Top 10 goalkeepers of the past decade (Men, 10th to 6th).
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE].
The 2010s: Top 10 ice hockey goaltenders of the past decade (5th to 1st).
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE]
The 2010s: All lists.
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE]
The 2010s: Top 10 ice hockey goaltenders of the past decade. (10th to 6th)
To celebrate the end of the 2010s, goalie journalist Mouhamad Rachini takes a look back at some of the top netminders to have kept the sheets clean this decade. [READ MORE]
Yann Sommer: The undersized ‘keeper inching Gladbach towards a historic Bundesliga title.
When a deflected shot from Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich slipped under the leg of Borussia Mönchengladbach's Yann Sommer, Borussia-Park held its collective breath. The Bundesliga-leading Foals were hosting the reigning champions Bayern Munich on Saturday... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: Kepa could do nothing to stop Daniel Wass’ game-tying goal.
What's with Spanish football clubs and Champions League goals being scored from incredibly acute angles? A day after Atletico Madrid conceded a Paulo Dybala freekick from the left side of their goal, Valencia struck a... [READ MORE]
Counterparts: Agility and footwork the keys to Navas and Quick’s success.
Ice hockey and soccer nets are pretty big for their sports. It's not rocket science. In the National Hockey League, the world's premier ice hockey club competition, a goaltender must guard a goal measuring 120 cm tall and 180 cm... [READ MORE]
Counterparts: Neuer and Brodeur’s distribution changed their sports forever.
From an honours perspective, it's easy to see where some of the similarities between goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and goaltender Martin Brodeur lie. Both goalies have won practically everything there was to win in their careers. Neuer... [READ MORE]
Predicting Petr Čech’s hockey success based on his soccer career.
Petr Čech trudged down the tunnel to a chorus of cheers. The 37-year-old had just played a full match, complete with overtime and a shootout. He had backstopped his side to a 3-2 victory... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter Five
"That's enough, for fuck's sake!" Iker Casillas was livid. The Real Madrid goalkeeper raised his right arm disapprovingly, his mouth clenched and his eyes fixated on the ground beneath him. Unable to contain himself, Casillas... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter Four
"Mourinho saw him as a grass, a mole, a traitor and an egoist." Those were the words of Diego Torres in his 2014 book The Special One: The Dark Side of José Mourinho. José Mourinho, not a stranger... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter Three
On November 29, 2010, Barcelona and Real Madrid met in one of the most highly-anticipated Clasicos in recent times. The match was the first of its kind to be played since Spain's World Cup win. 13 players... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter Two
If you're a young football fan, you'd be forgiven for thinking of Spain as a perennial football powerhouse. After all, the past 11 years has seen La Roja reach a Confederations Cup final... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: Chapter One
Every 16-year-old wishes they could be pulled out of class because of an emergency. We've all dreamed of it at some point. You imagine yourself sitting in class, bored out of your mind, your surroundings... [READ MORE]
The Iker Casillas story: All Chapters
This is the homepage for my six-part series on the career of Iker Casillas, as told by rival fans. Chapters will be revealed every three days, with Chapter One coming out on September 15 and Chapter Six coming out on September 30. You can access all six chapters here.
(Keeper Talk: A Goalkeeper Podcast) Bonus Pod: 6 goalkeepers to watch, 6 goalkeepers who’ll flop.
In this special, bonus episode of Keeper Talk, Mouhamad Rachini (@ThatArabKeeper) and Bill Reno (@letsallsoccer) discuss six goalkeepers who they believe are poised for great seasons, as well as six goalkeepers who they believe will flop.
3 free agent goalkeepers your club could still sign.
Every team needs a hero every so often. Sometimes though, that hero is the least expected of people. When Alisson Becker was forced out of Liverpool's 4-1 opening day win over Norwich City due to a calf injury... [READ MORE]
(Keeper Talk: A Goalkeeper Podcast) Episode 2: GK kit power rankings, Neuer’s sweeper ‘keeper antics, & Adrián’s relief status.
On the second episode of Keeper Talk, Mouhamad Rachini (@ThatArabKeeper) and Bill Reno (@letsallsoccer) rank some goalkeeper kits, discuss Manuel Neuer's latest sweeper 'keeper play, and ponder over Adrián's ability to replace Alisson Becker.
4 bold GK predictions for the 2019-20 season.
Welcome to the 2019-20 season! With the Trophée des Champions, DFL-Supercup, and Community Shield all having kicked off this weekend, the new season of European football is officially underway. This season promises... [READ MORE]
What if David de Gea joined Real Madrid in 2015?
David de Gea is set to become the richest goalkeeper in the world. Although not yet official, reports suggest that De Gea will sign a new six-year contract with Manchester United. The deal is valued... [READ MORE]
(Keeper Talk: A Goalkeeper Podcast) Episode 1: De Gea’s contract, Navas vs. Courtois, & the tragedy of Mattia Perin.
On the debut episode of Keeper Talk, Mouhamad Rachini (@ThatArabKeeper) and Bill Reno (@letsallsoccer) discuss David de Gea's new contract, the battle between Keylor Navas and Thibaut Courtois, and Mattia Perin's unfortunate luck with injuries and living up to expectations.
Between the Sticks’ Serie A Bronze, Silver, and Gold Glove winners
*With the 2018-2019 European club seasons having come to a close, Between the Sticks is honouring the best goalkeepers from the top five European leagues (Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League, and Serie A)... [READ MORE]
Messi, Van Dijk, & Salah’s international failures open the door for an Alisson Ballon d’Or win.
In 1963, Dynamo Moscow's Lev Yashin was awarded the Ballon d'Or for being the year's top footballer. This came following a year that saw him win the Soviet Top League for the fifth and... [READ MORE].
Between the Sticks’ Premier League Bronze, Silver, and Gold Glove winners
*With the 2018-2019 European club seasons having come to a close, Between the Sticks is honouring the best goalkeepers from the top five European leagues (Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League, and Serie A)... [READ MORE]
Between the Sticks’ Ligue 1 Bronze, Silver, and Gold Glove winners
*With the 2018-2019 European club seasons having come to a close, Between the Sticks is honouring the best goalkeepers from the top five European leagues (Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League, and Serie A)... [READ MORE]
Who won the Cillessen-Neto “swap” deal?
Two months after telling Ziggo Sport that he would like to move to a new club for more playing minutes, Barcelona's Jasper Cillessen got his wish. The 30-year-old Dutchman was included as part of an unusual... [READ MORE]
Summer of goalkeeping: Mouez Hassen (African Cup of Nations)
With his national team career on the line, Mouez Hassen has a lot to prove going into the 2019 African Cup of Nations. “If he plays, it’s a big chance for him to cement his spot [with the Tunisian national... [READ MORE]
Summer of goalkeeping: Milan Borjan (Gold Cup)
Milan Borjan was not supposed to become a professional goalkeeper. “He’s a refugee,” said Milos, host of the Serbian Football Show on Football Nation Radio. “He’s experienced a tough road and a long road.” Borjan was... [READ MORE]
Summer of goalkeeping: Wuilker Faríñez (Copa América)
When they were 21-years-old, Humphry Davy discovered nitrous oxide, Stephen Foster wrote the traditional American song “Oh! Susanna”, Thomas Edison created his first invention (an electric vote recorder), and Steve Jobs co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak... [READ MORE]
Between the Sticks’ La Liga Bronze, Silver, and Gold Glove winners.
With the 2018-2019 European club seasons having come to a close, Between the Sticks is honouring the best goalkeepers from the top five European leagues (Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League, and Serie A)... [READ MORE]
Between the Sticks’ Bundesliga Bronze, Silver, and Gold Glove winners
*With the 2018-2019 European club seasons having come to a close, Between the Sticks is honouring the best goalkeepers from the top five European leagues (Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League, and Serie A)... [READ MORE].
Summer of goalkeeping: Christiane Endler (Women’s World Cup)
Football goalkeepers are a unique bunch. They task themselves with guarding a large goal (8 feet tall by 24 feet wide, to be exact) for 90 minutes a game (sometimes more). They serve as the last line of defence... [READ MORE]
Love her or hate her, Sarah Bouhaddi is the queen of French goalkeeping.
Great goalkeepers aren't often the most popular figures in French football. Take Fabien Barthez. Despite being the record-holder for all-time World Cup clean sheets (10, with Peter Shilton), French World Cup appearances (17), and... [READ MORE]
Madrid’s other GK battle: Should Los Blancos promote Luca Zidane or Andriy Lunin?
While rumours swirl around the futures of Keylor Navas and Thibaut Courtois with Real Madrid, debates have also emerged regarding the place of Luca Zidane and Andriy Lunin at the club. Luca is the... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: Should César Azpilicueta’s goal have stood?
Six years after their debut Europa League final appearance, Chelsea are back for a second taste of UEL glory. The Blues clinched their lone championship in the competition through a 2-1 win over Benfica in... [READ MORE]
Liverpool have one man to thank for their UCL run; Alisson Becker.
Déjà vu, anyone? For the second time in two seasons, Barcelona have bottled a three-goal lead in a UEFA Champions League knockout tie. As if the 2018 disaster in Rome wasn't enough, the... [READ MORE]
Where should he go? Three potential destinations for Jasper Cillessen.
After three seasons with Barcelona, Jasper Cillessen is finally ready for a challenge elsewhere. The Dutch international joined the club from Ajax in 2016 following the departure of Claudio Bravo, but he’s only ever seen limited playing time. In three years with the... [READ MORE]
Five top-class Marc-André ter Stegen performances.
Happy (belated) birthday, Marc-André ter Stegen! Barcelona’s great German goalkeeper turned 27-years-old on April 30—just three days after ter Stegen helped the club clinch its 26th Spanish league title. It was the 12th... [READ MORE]
GK Analysis: How a bad W technique turned into another L for De Gea.
It’s happened again. As if this month wasn’t unkind enough to David De Gea, April showers rained down on the Spaniard’s parade for (hopefully) one last time. With Chelsea down 1-0 to Manchester United in their April 28 matchup, centre-back... [READ MORE]
