Southampton FC ‏@SouthamptonFC #SaintsFC Development Squad goalkeeper @codycropper has been called up by the United States for Wednesday's friendly against Bosnia. please log in to view this image Development Squad goalkeeper Cody Cropper has been called up by the United States for their friendly against Bosnia this week. This is the first time the 20-year-old has been named in a senior squad by his country, having previously represented the States at youth level. As a result of his call-up, Cropper missed today's Barclays U21 Premier League opener at Liverpool, with Will Britt likely to deputise between the posts. The U.S. face Bosnia at the Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium in Sarajevo this Wednesday, with the game kicking off at 7.30pm British Summer Time. Fellow Development Squad players Chris Johns and Matt Targett are also currently on international duty and therefore also missed today's game against Liverpool's Under-21s. The pair could come head-to-head on Tuesday, with Targett in the Scotland Under-19 squad that will host Johns and his Northern Ireland Under-19 teammates. Academy striker Sam Gallagher is also in the Scotland party.
The US seem to have a history of producing descent keepers. Cropper any good or just a lucky call up?
Cropper is an odd one, seems to be very highly rated by his country. Do we think he'll get near to the first team this year?
I think it's just because the game is in Europe and they can't get any US based GKs over for Wednesday, just there for cover.
Decent shout that, Cropper is one of four uncapped European-based players in the squad. In fact, only 5 of the squad are based outside Europe.
Agree with Euro idea, still he played in u20 World Cup and the one time I saw him play for our u21s he was very good. Britt, Cropper, Gazzaniga and Johns all have promise. You'd say its good odds one of them will succeed Kelvin as number 2 possibly next year.
Last time i saw cropper mentioned it was just after we signed him. Somebody remarked they would rather have adkins between the sticks! I guess he must have potential or we wouldn't be persisting with him.
Yup. He's in the squad because he's based in Europe. He won't play, as Howard and Guzan are both obviously based in Europe. I think most people here in the US have been a little disappointed with his development/play over the last year or so. Then again, the whole U21/20 squads have been disappointing and that includes his GK competition. I suppose he's still the #1 keeper at his age level, but people are much less excited by him than they used to be. When I see him play, I think it's mostly his attitude and focus that need adjusting. He can be very good when he gets in a groove, but tends to let in some soft goals now and again... then digs a deeper hole by pouting about it. If he can gain a bit of maturity he could still be good. I think a loan would serve him well. Get him used to dealing with the ups and downs and pressure situations that come with having to play that position day in and day out.
It's a shocking thought isn't it? What I really mean is you don't often find we sign a young prospect and the only thing fans say is they'd rather have a 47 year old who almost became a paraplegic in his ltd goalkeeping career. Im used disparaging remarks about new signings but when the only thing you hear is that they're cap you start to wonder.
How many Saints fans have seen him play more than 1 game? Probably less than 20 I bet and thats a very generous number. I do find it very weird how some "fans" get so fixated by one opinion from someone they probably don't even know. Saints rate this player. The USA national team rate his player. Weirdo internet ****er doesn't rate this player. I will listen to weirdo internet ****er.
I don't think Saints do particularly rate him, and no I've never watched him play more than a couple of full games but he makes enough howlers in the U21s highlights that I don't have particularly strong expectations for his future with us.
I saw him against Welling United few weeks ago, was beaten twice but didn't really have a chance with either, very vocal keeper who controls his box well, also seemed to have good distribution which is a bonus compared to what we've been used too. He didn't really have to make many saves but the ones he did he took well.
