Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan & Tim Howard

Episode: EPL International Goalkeepers Headed to the World Cup

Date: February 28, 2026

Episode Overview

In this bonus episode, Landon Donovan (LD) and Tim Howard break down the Premier League’s top goalkeepers who are set to feature at the 2026 World Cup. Against the backdrop of their own experience as elite international players, Donovan and Howard dissect headline goalkeepers, analyze rising stars, and debate critical question marks. The conversation spans England, Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Ireland – always through the unfiltered lens of two legends of the USMNT.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Headliners: Established Elite Goalkeepers (00:12 - 06:41)

Jordan Pickford – England

• Tim Howard: England are “at the back end of their brilliance.” If they don't deliver now, their golden era might be closing (00:43).
• Pickford has endured England’s harsh media glare: “You don’t want to be England number one. And he’s worn that shirt better than nearly many, many have.” (01:51)
• Pickford’s reliability gives England hope: “If England performs up to their expectations and Jordan Pickford does what he’s pretty much done... I’m looking at him thinking there’s a good chance he could be one of the big headliners.” (02:43)
• Landon Donovan: “If they are going to do really well and, or win the tournament, [Pickford’s] got to be lights out.” (02:49)

Emi Martinez – Argentina

• Tim Howard: “Martinez is looked upon as winning awards as the world’s best goalkeeper. And I think that happens when you win a World Cup.” (03:11)
• Praises Martinez’s personality and clutch performances: “There’s a character to him... but I also think he does the business. He makes big save after big save.” (03:23)
• “If he doubles down and becomes a two-time World Cup winner, then you’re going down in history as one of the greatest.” (03:47)
• LD: “Now you’re like Mount Rushmore.” (03:53)

Alisson – Brazil

• Tim Howard: “Alisson, for me, maybe starting to come out of this conversation, but he for me is the best goalkeeper in the world.” (04:38)
• Praises his technical skills: “When I look at the purity of goalkeeping, he does... his decision making... Really good. When to come, when to stay. Doesn’t get beat easily in terms of one on one goals.” (04:48)
• Compares his 1v1 ability to Manuel Neuer’s prime (05:10).
• “Brazil is always exciting... If he can be all the things I just said... we’re talking headliners.” (05:55)
• LD: “There are certain goalkeepers, when you look up, the goalkeeper looks big and you’re like, I can’t put this anywhere.” (06:29)

2. Breakout Stars: New Talent to Watch (06:41 - 08:16)

Bart Verbruggen – Netherlands

• LD: Agrees with Howard–Verbruggen is a likely breakout, “our guy.”
• Tim Howard: “He’s had a really good run [at Brighton]... he’s really good with his feet. You have to be when you play for the Netherlands.” (06:57)
• Sees Verbruggen’s rise tied to Netherlands’ team performance: “If the Netherlands put it together and they make a run as a team, he will have opportunities to shine. I don’t think he’s going to stand on his head and win them games.” (07:33)
• “From the kicking aspect, right and left foot, very, very high marks. The rest... he’s good, but I wouldn’t say he’s top, top.” (08:08)

3. Question Marks: The Contenders with Uncertainty (08:17 - 13:51)

David Raya – Spain

• LD: Despite rarely conceding for Arsenal, could be Spain’s number three at the World Cup: “Is he someone who should be starting? I think, yeah.” (08:16)
• Tim Howard: “He may not see the field... The question mark is, though, if in fact he does, he might show that he’s the best goalkeeper in the camp.” (08:39)
• On Spain’s selection bias: “When you play for Spain, if you ain’t playing for one of the top teams in Spain, I think you lose ground.” (09:10)
• “David Raya... is very good... in the conversation for top three goalkeepers in the world. And he’s number three on his team. That’s just wild.” (09:33)
• Shares a personal anecdote: “I walk out [for warmup]... and it was Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes... I go, I’m the fourth best goalkeeper walking out right now.” (10:54-11:04)
• “I think he probably won’t get a chance. But, if he does, I think he’ll light it up.” (11:11)

Kelleher (Ireland) and Donnarumma (Italy)

• Donnarumma:
  • Tim Howard: “He’s massive presence... pedigree... won a lot with Italy.” (11:44)
  • “Italy... can defend the lead for three days... but part of that is relying on your goalkeeper as well... he has the flair for the dramatic.” (12:30)
  • “Every save he makes is like a World Cup winning save, even if it’s in the smallest of games. He just pumps his fists and he goes crazy. I love watching him.” (12:49)
• Kelleher:
  • Has only recently left Liverpool (where he deputized for Alisson) for Brentford: “He’s having a good season again... He makes the saves he’s supposed to. He’s there when it matters.” (13:06)
  • LD: “If Ireland get through... just sheer volume of chances against him, he could end up being a star.” (13:51)
  • Howard: “I have question marks about, you know, about whether he can perform at that level, but I think he can given the opportunity.” (13:44)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On England’s golden era:
  “They’ve been close... I think they’re at like, the back end of their brilliance, right? If they don’t do something big now, then like, they’re finished in 2000.”
  — Tim Howard (00:43)

• On Pickford’s media pressure:
  “You don’t want to be England number one. And he’s worn that shirt better than nearly many, many have.”
  — Tim Howard (01:51)

• On Martinez’s rise:
  “If he doubles down and becomes a two-time World Cup winner, then... you’re going down in history as one of the greatest.”
  — Tim Howard (03:47)

• On Alisson’s mastery:
  “When I look at the purity of goalkeeping... his decision making... When to come, when to stay. Doesn’t get beat easily in terms of one on one goals.”
  — Tim Howard (04:48)

• Offbeat confidence check:
  “I walk out [for warmup]... Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes... I go, I’m the fourth best goalkeeper walking out right now.”
  — Tim Howard (10:54-11:04)

• On Donnarumma’s dramatic flair:
  “Every save he makes is like a World Cup winning save, even if it’s in the smallest of games. He just pumps his fists and he goes crazy. I love watching him.”
  — Tim Howard (12:49)

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Highlights | |-----------|-----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:12 | Episode starts; theme introduction | Focused on EPL goalkeepers at the World Cup | | 00:43 | Jordan Pickford analysis | England's tournament window closing; Pickford's pressure | | 03:11 | Emi Martinez discussion | World Cup legacy, big moments | | 04:38 | Alisson in-depth | Goalkeeping purity, technical excellence | | 06:41 | Breakout: Bart Verbruggen | Strengths, team impact, not a classic “standout” | | 08:17 | Spain’s conundrum: David Raya | Top talent but unlikely to play, national team politics | | 10:54 | Howard’s anecdote: meeting Spain’s trio | Self-deprecating humor, insight into Spain’s GK wealth | | 11:21 | Kelleher (Ireland) & Donnarumma (Italy) | Their prospects if teams qualify |

Tone & Style Highlights

• Conversational and candid, with deep technical expertise.
• Generously sprinkled with both wisdom and humility—a trademark of the hosts.
• The chemistry between Donovan and Howard brings humor, insight, and a sense of shared experience throughout.

Summary

In this episode of Unfiltered Soccer, Donovan and Howard expertly preview EPL goalkeepers likely to be World Cup difference-makers. Their analysis balances tactical detail, personal anecdotes, and fun banter. They spotlight established stars (Pickford, Martinez, Alisson), emerging talents (Verbruggen), and unresolved question marks (Raya, Kelleher, Donnarumma), all with a focus on how club performances and personalities might translate to the biggest stage.

If you want a nuanced, insider take on international goalkeeping in 2026, this episode makes for essential listening.