5 best young players from USA and Mexico

#5 Ethan Horvath

USMNT has found Tim Howard’s heir in Ethan Horvath

For as far as memory goes, United States have primarily deployed three reputed goalkeepers hailing from the Premier League in recent years – Brad Friedel, Tim Howard, and Brad Guzan.

Guzan has had a terrible run with a poor Gold Cup in 2015, Aston Villa’s dismal season and is currently on the bench at Middlesbrough, while Tim Howard is 37 and well past his prime years and Brad Friedel is long gone.

But fortunately, United States have found a shining young talent developing in Norway in the form of Ethan Horvath. A 6’4” goalkeeper, first choice at Molde, the club famously managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with experience in the Champions League as well as the Europa League.

Originally from Colorado, Horvath was recruited by Solskjaer in 2013. In 2015, the first choice goalkeeper till then for Molde, Orjan Nyland was sold and Horvath was promoted to the first XI. In his first full season, he conceded just 31 goals, second best only to the champions, Rosenborg.

An even more recognisable achievement was him leading Molde to the first spot in a tough Europa League group consisting of European mainstays Ajax, Celtic, and Fenerbahce. His best moment on the pitch came against Ajax when he was awarded the Man of the Match for his 10 saves including a point-blank header.

Last month, Horvath received his first international cap against Cuba and was described as the country’s biggest hope for the future for the goalkeeper position by manager Jurgen Klinsmann. He is on his way to ousting both the rear guards blocking his path to the first-team spot and will soon reach the upper echelons of the game.

(Video courtesy: soccersubjectively)