I just looked at the website and it does look to be true. These are goalkeepers, not field players. Why would you keep three good goalkeepers? No high level premier team has more than two. What is going on with this team?

Titans are in desperation mode. Falling apart and calling all over to find players. Is this the bitter end to the Titans. Sure some of the better players are starting to figure this is not for them. Too many cooks in the kitchen and none with a clue. Sure DH and Alby will benefit from this latest falling apart when all the top players start seeking the best option for their kids. Sure few other teams will stand to secure some players also.

The better question is why are you looking at the Titans website?

Hey Larry can you start a girls u16 premier thread. I wanted to write something but can't even find it.

Why don't you just register as a user and then you can start your own thread? Go ahead, try it. Register as a user. It is painless.

Not desperation at all... the coach got wise to what he needs to go to the next level... a talented goalkeeper. The kid from Smithtown is one of the best u14 keepers out there. The Titans' original keepers and DHE keeper are mediocre at best.

To the credit of each team, they have not needed accomplished keepers to date because of their ability to dominate the passage of play. But times are changing quickly for these high level teams, and they will all be scrambling to find one of the rarest commodities on Long Island- skilled, dedicated goalkeepers.

I'd say that there only about 5 keepers who stand out across all u14 divisions, from premier to D2. And they will have their pick of which teams they want to play for in the very near future.

You missed one major element. As these players mature, the higher you play, the more the field players and goalkeepers are expected to do. Before we start to label "5 keepers who stand out," first you must determine which ones really possess the skills to play a game where they are more than a shot blocker. The top goalkeepers in the game also have good hands and foot skills to receive passes and then to pass the ball up field. These goalkeepers play a game where the system they play in demands that the goalkeeper be active and a leader on the field. Still to soon to call any goalkeeper "mediocre at best." Now is the age where quick growth will no longer be good enough. At the early age groups, some teams love that big goalkeeper so they can play kick and run, and they can pack the box and take away low shots. This age group and beyond have top teams that expose those teams. The question that has not been answered is why three goalkeepers when the original two split time? This team was not hurting in the goal. They had other problems (remember that there best field players left for the Cosmos). How long will that relationship continue? How long will the coach stay with this team?

"As these players mature, the higher you play, the more the field players and goalkeepers are expected to do. Before we start to label "5 keepers who stand out," first you must determine which ones really possess the skills to play a game where they are more than a shot blocker. The top goalkeepers in the game also have good hands and foot skills to receive passes and then to pass the ball up field."

That was my point, precisely. At this point in time, after having played in goal myself through out high school (back when my hero was Shep Messing - jeez I'm old) and after having watched my son's team play against all of the teams in d2 and d1 over the past 5 or so years, I have found that there are about 5 keepers here on Long Island in u14 who stand out because of their natural ability to lead their team, receive and distribute the ball (both with their hands and their feet), maintain their composure, come off their line fearlessly when necessary, and absorb shots.

It has been a pleasure to watch them play and develop over the years.

As far as the "big teams" go, I find that the keepers at this stage are mediocre simply because they have not been called into action as much. My son's team has played both the Titans and the Elite a handful of times over the years and they, my son's team, barely put the keeper under pressure at all.

But when they did, the keepers looked very awkward.

That's all I'm saying. Agree with me or not, it's ok.

Besides Smithtown what other GKs are among the better ones? It would be good for other keepers to know and observe. RVC keeper seems to be very good.

GU16 Premier is on Page#7

GU16 Non Premier is on page#3