List of MLS Pool Goalkeepers explained
Major League Soccer has a set of emergency goalkeepers who are signed to a contract with the league and are loaned to teams during emergencies in which they are missing a goalkeeper due to injuries or suspensions.[1] The pool goalkeeper trains with an MLS club or an affiliated team when not assigned to a team; some pool goalkeepers, including Tim Melia, have gone on to be signed to permanent contract with their assigned teams.[2]
When originally created, the league had several goalkeepers on their pool roster as roster sizes were small (around 20 players), with teams commonly only having two goalkeepers signed to the roster. However, MLS rosters have since increased to include up to 30 players and teams are required to carry three goalkeepers. In addition, the league's "extreme hardship" roster rules allow teams to bring up a goalkeeper from its MLS Next Pro side or another affiliate on a short-term basis, which has resulted in the need for a pool goalkeeper lessening. Whereas prior years saw three to four pool goalkeepers signed, now there is usually only one or two keepers on the pool roster.[3]
List
- Lists prior to 2007 are incomplete
Notes and References
- News: Koczwara . Kevin . November 4, 2016 . On MLS's Most Star-Studded Team, Brian Rowe Is the Last Line of Defense . Vice News . August 22, 2020.
- News: Brenner . Steve . June 25, 2019 . Meet Charlie Lyon: The MLS 'Pool Goalkeeper' Who Can Play for Every Club . . August 22, 2020.
- Web site: Billy Heavner's life in limbo in Major League Soccer as a 'pool goalkeeper'. May 24, 2017. Jeff. Carlisle. ESPN.
- Web site: Colorado Players in MLS. August 16, 2010. German. Sferra. Colorado Rapids.
- Web site: All-Time Player Transactions. D.C. United.
- Web site: 2007 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2008 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2009 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2010 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2011 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2012 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2012 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2012 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2015 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2016 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: 2017 MLS Player Salaries. MLSPA.
- Web site: Meet Charlie Lyon: The MLS 'Pool Goalkeeper' Who Can Play for Every Club. Steve. Brenner. June 25, 2019. Bleacher Report.
- Web site: Why Vancouver Whitecaps FC will have no backup goalkeeper on Thursday. July 21, 2020. Tom. Bogert. Major League Soccer.
- Web site: Orlando City add MLS Pool goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh amid absences. September 3, 2021. Major League Soccer.
- Web site: MLS Players Salary Guide . 2023-06-25 . MLS Players Association . en-US.