Brad Friedel

Birth Date: May 18 1971
Birth Place: Lakewood, Ohio
Birth Nation: America
Height: 193cm
Weight: 92Kg
Nationality: USA
Position: Goalkeeper

Brad Friedel was a member of the 1992 USA Olympic soccer squad in Barcelona and was the reserve 'keeper to Tony Meola at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Brad signed with Brondby of the Danish Super League in Spring

1995 after his appeal for a work permit to play for Premiership side Newcastle United was denied. He made 10 appearances with Brondby. Later that year he moved to Galatasaray in September.

In July 1996 Brad signed for Major League Soccer side, Columbus Crew and while with them was named 1997 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Friedel then signed for Liverpool football club in December 1997 for £1 million and took over as first team keeper in the spring of 1998 but under Gerard Houllier was relegated to the bench until becoming first choice keeper again from David James late on in the 1998/99 season.

At the France '98 World Cup he was reserve keeper to Kasey Keller but did play the last game for the U.S. In the 1999/00 season Gerard Houllier signed Dutch goalkeeper. Sander Westerveld and Brad's career with Liverpool was over.


He had only made 25 Premiership appearances for Liverpool in the three years he was there. At that point Brad had work permit problems and it looked like he might have to leave England however former Liverpool player Graeme Souness managed to get Friedel on a free transfer in November 2000 and a work permit was secured.

Brad Friedel became the number one goalkeeper for Blackburn Rovers and signed a new four year contract before leaving to represent the United States in the 2002 World Cup where he was chosen as first choice 'keeper in their first ame 3-2 win over Portugal

Brad Friedel