Preseason Battles II: The Keepers

By: Dave Martinez | February 5th, 2009

SECURE STARTER:

None

CONTENDERS:

Jon Conway
Danny Cepero
Terry Boss
Caleb Patterson-Sewell

OVERVIEW:

Continuing our “Preseason Battles” analysis, this week we focus our spotlight on the back line. Goalkeeping has been a major plus for the Red Bulls these past few seasons, anchored by the great and unexpected work of Jon Conway, a career back up that has seemingly blossomed since being given the starters job.

Unfortunately for Conway, he and former Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke were given the dubious honor of being MLS first performance enhancing cheats (just to be clear, the accusations continue to maintain that this was an over the counter supplement).

This opened the door for a keeper who immediately stole the hearts and voices of the Red Bull supporters, Danny Cepero. Noticabely shorter, smaller and younger than Conway, Cepero makes up for his physical limits with a loud voice on the backline and an equally powerful ability to react, saving the Bulls down the playoff run all the way into the MLS Cup.

These two will be battling it out for the starters position. And considering the fact Conway’s real crime was being ignorant and not asking the consultation of the teams trainers before he devoured supplements, it would be interesting to see if this mind lapse, at such a significant part of the season, would result in Conway losing the starters job all together. After all, the age old adage in sports is that a starter will never lose his spot due to injury or circumstances beyond their control. How will Osorio treat the competition for the backline?

Right behind these two front runners are the back guys holding up the fort; Terry Boss and Caleb Patterson-Sewell. Terry Boss, best known for being the brother of the New York Giants own Kevin Boss, has been a standout keeper in USL2, leading Charlotte to the finals before coming to the Bulls. Caleb Patterson-Sewell is best know for his stellar performance in the second half of a friendly player last year against Barcelona. Jon Conway let in 4 goals, and Sewell started the second. It took Barca over a half hour to find the back of the net again, but to the point, Sewell was turning away shot after shot in a memorable performance.

Now, if I were to play the part of Nostradamus today, I would make the following predictions:

- Conway has the leg up on the starting duties since he never really lost them to begin with. But at the slightest sign of weakness, Cepero will be given his shot, and Conway may be used as trade bait in a league that is desperate for quality backline play.

- Sewell beats out Boss for that third keeper role. From the little we have seen of Caleb, and the usual praise we hear, it would be a shock to think Boss would beat the Aussi out. Caleb had his moment in the spotlight last season, stands at 6′3″, and is 7 years Bosses minor. Though Boss has that Giant Stadium connection, I think Patterson may have the inside track in this one.

- Now, both Cepero and Sewell were signed to developmental contracts last season. Clearly, with this years 4 developmental players per roster rule, only one of them could be afforded to be given this unenviable distinction. I would bet on Cepero being made senior, and Sewell continuing another season as the other kind of “DP.”

SENIOR SPOTS: 2 (6/24 in our analysis so far)
DEVELOPMENTAL: 1/4