2010 World Cup Predictions: Top Five Goalkeepers To Watch For

Goalie is one of the most underappreciated positions in all of sports. Along with lineman in football and catchers in baseball, the goalie position asks for all the guts but rarely given the glory.

Chicks dig the long ball, guys jock the touchdowns (a lot to do with fantasy football), and the world loves to see goals. Moreover, much like good lineman in football and good catchers in baseball, a good goalie is the teams backbone and often the conductor of its motion, play, and ability to win.

When you look back at some of the best goalies to ever step on the pitch, Gordon Banks of England (won 1966 World Cup), Ubaldo Fillo of Argentina (won 1978 World Cup), Sepp Maier of Germany (won 1974 World Cup), and Dino Zoff of Italy (won 1982 World Cup), you get goalies who turned their respected national teams into champions.

Don’t get me wrong it takes more than a good goalie to win a World Cup, but Gianluigi Buffon’s play in the 2006 World Cup exemplified how great goalkeeping can win your team the trophy. These next top stoppers look to do just that.

5) Guillermo Ochoa- Mexico

Many will be surprised to see the Mexican star as the fifth best stopper in the world, but as one of the youngest glovesman in the World Cup his attitude is that of any good veteran.

The 24-year old Ochoa has received many offers from several European clubs but his current Mexican club team, America, knows a star when they see one, and are reluctant to let him go. Ochoa was instrumental in America’s record-breaking run of 28 games without losing, and will look to bring the same focus to the Mexican squad.

The Mexican defense will have a lot of confidence knowing Ochoa is behind them because he doesn’t make many errors and takes charge of his box. His sharp reflexes and long range enable him to reach balls seemingly destined for the back of the net.

Ochoa is the only Mexican player to have been included on the shortlist for European Footballer of the Year. At such a young age, Ochoa has made quite an impact playing on a Mexican club team, who usually don’t get much respect, and will give European clubs a better measurement of his talent as he leads his Mexican comrades through the 2010 World Cup.

4) Tim Howard- USA

Howard has solidified himself as one of the top keepers in the world after making an impact on his club team, Everton. His athleticism and size are unmatched, and his leadership unwarranted. And now with his experience on a legitimate club team, Howard has all the tools to lead the USA on a successful World Cup run.

Unfortunately for Howard, the Americans defense has been questionable largely due to the absence of leading defensemen Oguchi Onyewu. Onyewu does not look like he will be 100 percent in a week, and facing a team like England who is as explosive in the air as they are on the ground will have the United States on their heels.

With that being said Howard’s leadership will be needed now more than ever. When you watch a game you can feel Howards intensity through the television as he is not afraid to express his feelings when his defense becomes lethargic or slips up. The USA will need a strong performance from their keeper, as they head into the World Cup with uncertainty on who will fill their back line.

3) Gianluigi Buffon- Italy

In the 2006 World Cup, Italy’s goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, was considered the best. During the Italians fourth Championship run, Buffon conceded only two goals, an own goal by teammate Christian Zaccardo against the United States and a Zinedine Zidan penalty in the final against France.

Some say Buffon has lost a step at the age of 32 but his 453-minute goalless streak in the last World Cup displays his dominance as a keeper, and power as a leader. Buffon, an agile and commanding shot-stopper, is extremely experienced at the highest level and has a history of rising to the big occasion becoming a vital component in Italy‘s success.

With the most experience out of any other national keeper in the World Cup with 11 appearances, Italy will look towards Buffon’s experience and composure for a consecutive World Cup run.

2) Iker Casillas- Spain

With over 100 national appearances and two World Cups under his belt, Spain’s stopper Iker Casillas has a strong claim to the title as the finest keeper in the world. He has been able to remain consistent over his 11-year career behind his keen sense of positioning allowing him a shot-blocking-aerial advantage over others. Casillas is the type of goalie you want on your team. A player who can take command of the back with experience, authority, and skill.

Former Head Coach of Spain, Luis Aragones, had this to say about his captain and goalie, "Iker is the perfect captain. I'd give him ten out of ten for everything he does as a keeper, a captain and in the way he behaves. He sees everything so clearly. . . As the captain he's the one I speak to the most. He's a phenomenon."

His $186 million contract over nine years (through 2017) speaks volumes on his club team Real Madrid along with becoming the youngest goalkeeper to win a Champions League final beating Valencia just four days after his 19th birthday

As well as the accolades, Casillas has strung together dozens of memorable performances and legendary saves over his career. With his superb reflexes and feline agility, he has built up a reputation for pulling off seemingly impossible point-blank saves.

1) Julio Cesar- Brazil

Brazil’s new Manager/Head Coach Dunga has altered their mentality and style of play from the flashy-pushing forward team to a more conformed counter attack hence letting go of Ronaldinho and Adriano.

Relying on their defense to create opportunities rather than their strikers seems like an oxymoron when talking about Brazil, but Dunga wouldn’t have been able to create this mentality without an exceptional stopper. Cesar is the star among stars who turns championship-caliber team into world champions. If Brazil wins their leading sixth World Cup it will be due to the exceptional keeping from Cesar

Since Cesar’s arrival to club team Inter in 2005-2006, he has won five straight Italian titles and recently a UEFA Champions League title. Considered the 31st best player in the 2010 World Cup, Cesar has great stretch and anticipation taking ball movement and placement by the opposition to get it by the best goalie in the world.

The deciding factors for Cesar at No.1 are this:
He has beat out club rival Jueventus (goal tended by Buffon) five years in a row for the Italian title, won the 2010 Champions League title game single-handedly, and will help Brazil win their sixth World Cup.