Brad Friedel vs Eddie Pope
United States against United States. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Brad Friedel
United States · 1974–2003 · GK
- Almanac rating
- 85
- Rank in United States
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 82 · 0 goals
- Clubs
- Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur
In Daegu on 10 June 2002 he pushed away Lee Eul-yong's penalty, then saved another against Poland four days later, the first goalkeeper since Jan Tomaszewski in 1974 to stop two spot kicks in World Cup play. He reached the 2002 quarter-finals with that side, won the League Cup with Blackburn the same year, made the PFA Team of the Year in 2003 and put together 310 consecutive Premier League appearances, the competition record. Career record: 82 caps and 0 goals for United States; club career at Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur.
Eddie Pope
United States · 1996–2005 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in United States
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 82 · 8 goals
- Clubs
- D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake
Ninety-four minutes into the first MLS Cup, on a flooded Foxborough pitch on 20 October 1996, the 22-year-old rookie met Marco Etcheverry's corner with his head and won it for D.C. United after they had trailed 2-0. Two more MLS Cups followed at D.C. United, with two Supporters' Shields, the 1998 Concacaf Champions' Cup and Copa Interamericana, then the 2005 Gold Cup, three World Cups and a place in the MLS All-Time Best XI. Career record: 82 caps and 8 goals for United States; club career at D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake.
The verdict
The almanac puts Brad Friedel ahead by 1 rating point, 85 against 84.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.