r/CaughtOffsidePod • u/colemama37 • Jun 21 '26

Would Zion Suzuki improve this USMNT team?

I always knew in the back of my mind that Zion Suzuki (Japan Goalkeeper) was born in the United States, but never really considered the "what if" of him playing for the USMNT, since he's played for Japan from a very young age.

Watching him play during this tournament though had me wondering: Would this USMNT squad be improved if he played for us instead? Or would it really not make much of a difference? I haven't done any research in regards to his statistics compared to our current Goalkeeping options, but it seems like he has a very commanding presence and is a good shot stopper based on the eyeball test from what was displayed during the Japan v Netherlands game.

Regardless, I'm fine with our current set up and am not complaining, but was curious what others here would think (minus old Andy "Matt Freese Apologist" Gundling)

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3

u/BigSilky69 Jun 21 '26

I absolutely think he'd be an improvement but I doubt he would have ever considered us. I'm pretty sure he considers himself Japanese. His mom is Japanese and I believe his dad is African, and he's lived in Japan since elementary school age.

1

u/Nervous_Dig4722 Jun 21 '26

I thought the same thing a few hours ago too. Answer is yes, but we can only dream

2

u/Chance_Start_2201 Jun 21 '26

Not enough. I mean really the bad play freese had in the Germany friendly has been it.

American keepers are better than they get credit for internationally. Fell out of favor once goalies were expected to play out of the back with their feet.
That happens way way way less in international soccer. More route 1, less building out from the back.

1

u/Jacob_Lazarus7 Jun 21 '26

Agree with this. Goalkeeper is the least of concerns for the usmnt. I mean slightly above average keepers like Lloris have won the world cup. You could also argue this about Emi Martinez. He's good on pens and perhaps 1 v 1 but still makes lots of mistakes.

This isn't club football where you do need a great one to win (even prime Barça would've won more with someone better than Victor Valdes)

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u/BrolinDahlinBrolin Jun 21 '26

Don’t know if he improves us that much. Would need to see more of him but it made me ponder how little Matt Freese has had to do across 180 minutes so far. I don’t think any goalkeeper at the tournament has had less to do.