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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The hardest to find is GK. This does not make them more valuable than MF or OB, just harder to find. The reason is that good field players are flexible and it is easier to transition a strong holding MF to play defense. F is a hard to find skill but attacking midfielders and wingers can sometimes transition to F. Almost nobody else on the team can play GK effectively besides the GK. It’s just the most specialized skill set which makes it harder to find. This increases as teams get older.[/quote]

If you look at the USMNT, there are two positions that we traditionally struggle to fill: left back and no.10 playmaker.  Goalkeeper is normally a strength.  [/quote]

I disagree. The men’s team has not been able to effectively replace Tim Howard at GK, he has left a big hole. At the same time, they have the next modern 10 in Pulisic who is considered their top prospect and is breaking records in the Bundesliga.

On the USWNT, Julie Ertz transitioned from back to the 10 last year rather well, good enough to win Soccer Player of the Year that same year. Crystal Dunn transitioned from MF to to Left OB successfully as well. The team has still not found a GK the caliber of Solo since her departure in 2015.[/quote]

US Soccer probably didn't do a good job of grooming replacements.  That doesn't mean they aren't replaceable, but they were there for so long, they became iconic.  I do think it is a tougher spot to fill than midfielder or winger, but if anything stands out from many of the less dominant countries in the world cup, it is often the strength of their goalies.  The US is no exception.

However, you make a good point at how easily we can come up with midfielders.  [/quote]

It’s not like US Soccer decided they would have competition at every position except GK. Not year after year. FIFA rules require you to roster 3 GKs for every match so there were options but the backups were never close. The issue was that their skill sets were so rare that nobody else played as well as them - for a decade. US Soccer still cannot replace them and they have had years to do so without them. And of course no other player on the team can transition to GK unlike the other positions, that is not even a consideration. Those two have not been replaceable, not until the next great ones come along. Great GKs are the hardest position to find, and you can’t create one overnight.

Need a left outside back? Crystal Dunn proves you can create one.

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