How many GKs on MLS Next / Next 2 rosters?

[Anonymous]

How many goalkeepers are typically on an MLS next team? Do we know if there is a standard? How about MLS Next 2?

[Anonymous]

Likely 2

[Anonymous]

Depends on the keeper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many goalkeepers are typically on an MLS next team? Do we know if there is a standard? How about MLS Next 2?

Most often, there will be two, but obviously YMMV.

[Anonymous]

There are 2 keepers most of the time

[Anonymous]

Most of the time there are two. There are some with one, but that’s less common. Often swapping at half time but there is no hard and fast rule.

[Anonymous]

There are no set guidelines for the number of keeper a team should have.

[Anonymous]

My DC team has only one dedicated goalkeeper. However, a few defenders previously played as goalkeepers, so they occasionally step in when needed.

[Anonymous]

The nearest MLSNext 1 teams both have 1 full time GK and a field player who is the emergency backup. I've seen MLS Academy teams with two keepers and some with just one.

My DS team (will be MLSNext 2) has two keepers who rotate regularly between goal and, occasionally, outfield spots.

One of my pet peeves is that too often GK development (on the rare occasions it actually happens) doesn't expose them to outfield positions. I can always tell which keepers have spent time at another position and which ones have never played anywhere but goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The nearest MLSNext 1 teams both have 1 full time GK and a field player who is the emergency backup. I've seen MLS Academy teams with two keepers and some with just one.

My DS team (will be MLSNext 2) has two keepers who rotate regularly between goal and, occasionally, outfield spots.

One of my pet peeves is that too often GK development (on the rare occasions it actually happens) doesn't expose them to outfield positions. I can always tell which keepers have spent time at another position and which ones have never played anywhere but goal.

That is pretty unrealistic as you get older. GK is a dedicated position with people who don't want to play field roles. They have to be developed to be GK and build field skills relevant to GK--not other roles. Maybe in Next 2 or lower level a GK can toggle between a field role and GK, but the higher level competition and older you get, that's a non starter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The nearest MLSNext 1 teams both have 1 full time GK and a field player who is the emergency backup. I've seen MLS Academy teams with two keepers and some with just one.

My DS team (will be MLSNext 2) has two keepers who rotate regularly between goal and, occasionally, outfield spots.

One of my pet peeves is that too often GK development (on the rare occasions it actually happens) doesn't expose them to outfield positions. I can always tell which keepers have spent time at another position and which ones have never played anywhere but goal.

That is pretty unrealistic as you get older. GK is a dedicated position with people who don't want to play field roles. They have to be developed to be GK and build field skills relevant to GK--not other roles. Maybe in Next 2 or lower level a GK can toggle between a field role and GK, but the higher level competition and older you get, that's a non starter.

Oh I agree with you at higher levels and ages. But before~ U13 there is no reason not to split time. The benefits of building on the ball skills for keepers is extremely important if the goal is to play any kind of possession system.