Jeff Carlisle May 6, 2026, 05:55 AM ET

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Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC.

For decades, the U.S. men's national team was downright spoiled when it came to the goalkeeper position, as the program produced a veritable conveyor belt of world-class keepers.

There was Tony Meola in the early to mid-1990s. You had Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel duking it out in the late '90s and mid-2000s. That was followed by Tim Howard in the 2010s. The latter three enjoyed long careers at a variety of clubs in top European leagues.

But as the USMNT heads into this summer's World Cup, a position that once inspired complete confidence now raises nagging questions.…