As we all know the United States is well known to have some the best goalkeepers in the history of the game. In recent years, the U.S. have had a solid group between the sticks, which include: Kasey Keller, Tim Howard, and Brad Friedel. Director of Coaching of ZST, Ziggy Zigante, was the goalkeeper coach under Bora Milutinović for the U.S. Soccer Federation in 1993. There, Coach Zigante had the opportunity to work with Brad Friedel, Tony Meola and Kasey Keller.
In the U.S. kids often play multiple sports such as soccer, basketball and baseball, which help fine tune their motor skills from an early age, and get an early start on becoming a well rounded goalkeeper.
Although there has a been a fabled history of goalkeepers, most U.S. goalkeepers have a hard time breaking in due to their lack of feet skills and total understanding of the game. With a growing demand of goalkeepers being able to play from the back, it has resulted in a uphill climb for the younger crop of goalkeepers in the U.S. At ZST, one of are core values is being able to distribute the ball. Here is a list of goalkeepers ZST believes has these traits:
- Louis Robles | MLS | New York Redbulls – Robles know a great shot stopper and has excellent feet. Robles was the 2015 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. ZST trained Louis during his fundamental years of 12 to 18.
- George Marks | NCFC | Clemson University — Marks is long-time client of ZST. He has also been in camp with the U20 U.S. National Team. Marks in on his way to becoming a household name in North America and earned trails at the famous Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) youth academy and was asked to come back full-time.
- Craig Szczuka | Wake FC | Szczuka is a long time client of ZST, has earned trials with Dinamo Zagreb and NK Lokomotiva in the Croatia First Division.
Other students include:
Joe Cannon | San Jose Earthquakes
Guillermo Rodriguez | University of San Diego
Mat Hall | San Diego State University
Riley Swift | San Diego Sockers (Indoor)
Kyle Cambell | U17 Youth National Team
More about Zigante Soccer Training
Zigante Soccer Training’s (ZST) mission is to be North America’s premier soccer goalkeeping training center. With over 100 students who have gone on and played college or professional soccer, ZST has developed the most reputable experience for goalkeepers in North America. ZST is based in Las Vegas (NV) with locations in Holly Springs, (NC) and Ithaca, (NY). ZST is recognized by the top NCAA college coaches in the US and professional teams in Europe. www.zigantesoccertraining.com | Ziggy (Nenad) Zigantes – Director of Coaching
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Zigante Soccer Training 