USMNT: Tim Howard Is the No. 1 Keeper, but Who Will Follow?

For almost a decade, goalkeeper Tim Howard has been involved with then U.S. Men's National Soccer Team, and for five of those 10 years, he has been the man to beat. A large part of the success the USMNT has accrued during former head coach Bob Bradley's tenure was due to the success Howard had between the pipes. 

Now with Jürgen Klinsmann pulling the reigns as head coach, Howard has been kept at the top of the goalkeeper depth chart and will stay there through CONCACAF qualifiers. But beneath him, there seems to be confusion and uncertainty.

With Howard reaching the age of 32 in 2011, he is at the peak of his career. Goalkeepers are unique that way—like wine, they get better with age. But, eventually, wine peaks.

Keep in mind: Howard will be 35 when 2014 strolls around. The body deteriorates and reflexes slow down. 

Klinsmann should take this time to have Howard mentor a new keeper—someone that can replace him when need be, and someone who can be set when Howard hangs his international boots.

Here are some goalkeepers who may fit that role.

D.C. United: Bill Hamid

Bill Hamid has consistently been called up to USMNT camp since Klinsmann took the helm as head coach. Whether he’s a lock to be considered as a replacement for Howard is yet to be seen. Although Hamid has performed well as D.C. United’s keeper, he’s only 20 years old. 

He hasn’t received much playing time under the USMNT, but with so much time left until 2014, guidance by Howard and new U.S. Goalkeeper Coach Chris Woods will help Hamid to the path of possibly becoming another great U.S. goalkeeper.

Chivas USA: Dan Kennedy

It took some time for Dan Kennedy to solidify himself as a starting goalkeeper for Chivas USA. However, in 2011, coach Robin Frasier gave Kennedy the nod, starting him for every game this season and has put together his best campaign since playing in MLS.

Posting an average a 1.1 goals/game average, Kennedy has shown the technical ability and leadership in the back line that can bring depth to the U.S. National Team.

Kennedy may seem new to the MLS crowd, but he started his craft with the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL, where he won Rookie of the Year honors. He then headed to Chile before coming back stateside for Chivas USA.

Columbus Crew: William Hesmer

Probably one of the most underrated goalkeepers in MLS, William Hesmer has been a solid figure in the back line of the Columbus Crew. He helped the Crew win the 2008 MLS Cup and holds a 1.2 goals/game career average.

Playing in his eighth MLS season, it was his transfer from Kansas City to Columbus that allowed Hesmer to shine as one of the most dependable goalkeepers in MLS. 

LA Galaxy: Josh Saunders

It's been six years of waiting for Josh Saunders, playing a bit here, a bit there. However, it took a severe injury to really give Saunders a chance to show what he's made of.

The Los Angeles Galaxy back-up goalie has made the most of the 2011 season, coming in for starter Donovan Ricketts during the Gold Cup Campaign and then afterwards, after Ricketts was sidelined with a broken wrist injury.

From then on, Saunders has been the main man, posting a .89 goals/game average and eight shutouts in 19 games.

Aston Villa: Brad Guzan

To ignore Brad Guzan as a possible USMNT starting goalkeeper would be disrespectful for the Aston Villa man and the work he’s put into the UMSNT. He was Bob Bradley's go-to man when Howard wasn’t available, and it’s fair to say that he didn’t disappoint. 

However, Guzan hasn’t been playing for Aston Villa and Klinsmann has expressed his opinion that he’d rather have players that are active rather than players sitting in Europe, just because they are in Europe. 

If Guzan does manage to be a consistent player, either at Villa or somewhere else, he would most likely leapfrog everybody else in the USMNT goalkeeper depth.