Big Question: Who is the top World Cup Keeper?

March 20th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

A key goalkeeping save or a key mistake can make all the difference between a successful World Cup appearance and a disappointing early round exit. This year’s tournament has no shortage of quality goalkeepers who are capable of changing the outcomes of games. Choosing the top five was no easy task and undoubtedly you’ll argue that some other names deserve to be on this list, but here are the five keepers that I would choose to lead my World Cup team.

5. Kasey Keller, United States
A steady veteran who has played in his share of high pressure games. Great in the air and capable of making a spectacular save, Keller can single handedly keep the US in games.

4. Oswaldo Sanchez, Mexico
Sanchez has long been one of the best kept goalkeeping secrets. The 31-year-old plays for Chivas de Guadalajara in the Mexican league. He was beaten out for El Tri’s top spot in 2002 and will look to make a name for himself in Germany. Trust me, you’ll be impressed when you watch “Saint Oswaldo” play.

3. Petr Cech, Czech Republic
The Chelsea keeper is a steady presence in net and has a tendency to rise to the occasion in big games.

2. Iker Casillias, Spain
The Real Madrid keeper was simply amazing in the 2002 World Cup. If he comes anywhere near his ‘Saint Casillas’ performance of four years ago Spain will be very tough to score upon.

1. Gianluigi Buffon, Italy
The Juve keeper is the class of the tournament. With experience playing in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, it is hard to believe that Gigi is still only 28 and seemingly getting better each year.

Who is your top keeper?

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lc

Nice work. Although i would say that Peter Cech is the number 1, Oswaldo Sanchez #2, Buffon #3, and I dont know if keller or Casillas should be on this list. Anyway this is my point of vew. Nice work.
justin

good list, Buffon is definently #1, I would probably put Cech #2. happy to see Kahn is not there, he is over-rated by so many people
Euler

Dida, Rogerio Ceni and Julio Cesar are the cream of la cream in today’s scenary. Just wait and see…
http://www.11helden.de markus

I still miss Jens Lehman and Oliver Kahn. I think they are in the top 5. At least better than No 5 Kasey Keller…
nicholas ohio

I wish Brad Friedel would go to the World Cup! I He is an unreal keeper. Buffon is the best, I would say Paul Robinson and Edwin Van der Sar are better than Cech. Cech is good but has let in some really bad goals for Chelsea this season. My list would be 1. Buffon 2. Van der Sar 3. Robinson 4. Casillas 5. Cech
yeah

the only reason for kellen and sanchez be in this list is cuz youre north american.. rogerio ceni is better than beckham in passing and setting pieces, and robinson is a very good goalkeeper, he should be in the list too. next time you write somethig like this try to forget that youre north american and be impartial…
http://www.worldcupzone.blogspot.com Ade Lamidi

I will have to say Buffon but Cech is just right behind him.
jonathan

depends…

there are keepers that play better during the action, and then there are keepers who are better for PKs.

Argentina’s keeper, Pato, is great for PKs, but close to terrible during the action.
As is Dida.

I’d give the edge to Keller over Casillias and Buffon during match play.
http://www.stockbullz.com Mike

I can’t believe you “experts” haven’t even mentioned Boruc, the Polish Keeper.

He’ll turn a few heads with his performances.

The win against Germany will be especially great for Poland!
http://paraguay.worldcupblog.org Daniel

I think that nobody is mentioning Justo Villar from Paraguay because he’s not playing in Europe.

I hope he will show in this World Cup what every Paraguayan and Argentinean (he is now playing in Argentinean League) already knows.

http://paraguay.worldcupblog.org/1/justo-villar-filling-chilaverts-shoes.html
IU Keeper

All,

I find it interesting that so few people are talking about performance rather than reputaiton. I played D-1 soccer at Indiana U during the same time that Kasey was at Portland and Brad Friedel was at UCLA. So far, in this World Cup, we’ve not seen a consistent performance like Brad in ‘02 or Kahn in the same. Regardless of the Club rep, the WC is the testing and so far I believe that the best single performance was the Pole’s Boruc against the Germans. He “stood on his head” to take a hockey euphemism. He was unreal. You also have to consider the Swiss keeper, Pascal, who hasn’t given up a goal in the tourney yet. Buffon deserves talk, however, we’ll see how things go in elimination round. Without the own goal agaisnt the US, he’s have a clean sheet as well in the first round. Ultimately, we have few player swho are shinging like in ‘02 but the next two weeks will tell. The proof is always in the winning!!!
roberto

buffon is the best goalkeeper of the century. no question
Albo

Kasey who???
Oswaldo what???
Is this a CONCACAF question?
Then is not a big question.