BRADENTON, Fla. – Cody Cropper will run through his first 2018 preseason training session with the New England Revolution on Tuesday morning, and when he does, he’ll find himself thrust into the midst of a heated battle for the Revs’ starting goalkeeper position.
Cropper, who spent the past three weeks training with the U.S. National Team as part of the annual January camp, started 28 of New England’s 34 regular-season games in 2017, marking his first full season as a number one at the professional level.
But new head coach Brad Friedel – one of the world’s top goalkeepers during his illustrious 22-year playing career – has made it clear that he wants open competition at every spot on the field, including between the sticks.