Barcelona loanee Diego Kochen could take over as the new number one for the United States

Diego Kochen could not have asked for a much better start to his international career. The 20-year-old goalkeeper, who is eligible for the United States, Spain, Venezuela, and Peru, made his international debut in September, keeping a clean sheet in 45 minutes as the United States beat Peru 4-1. The following week, he played all 90 minutes, keeping another clean sheet in a 3-0 win over rivals Mexico.

Kochen has long been touted as a top prospect. The American came through La Masia and made his Barcelona debut in a friendly against Club América in December 2023 under Xavi Hernández. Kochen has yet to make his competitive debut for the Blaugrana, but was a regular on the bench last season under Hansi Flick as the club's third-choice goalkeeper.

With Barcelona having so much depth in goal, the young goalkeeper was loaned out in July, heading to Danish Superliga side Lyngby Boldklub. Lyngby have an option to buy worth €1.5 million, according to reports, while Barcelona will retain 40% of any future sales. It's already looking like a great move for all parties.

Kochen immediately solidified himself as the starter in Denmark, and has started all nine matches for the club so far. He's been busy, too: only four goalkeepers in the league have more saves than his 24, culminating in a seven-save performance in a 1-1 draw with Odense Boldklub. Lyngby sit tenth in the league, with 16 goals conceded in nine games.

Unsurprisingly, Kochen has caught the eye of Mauricio Pochettino and the United States national team. The Americans were something of a surprise this summer at the home World Cup, comfortably beating Paraguay, Australia, and Bosnia en route to the Round of 16. However, poor goalkeeping from Matt Freese saw Belgium brush aside the hosts with a 4-1 win.

Since then, Pochettino has been looking into new options. Freese started and conceded the lone goal against Peru, with Kochen coming off the bench in the second half and having little to do. Chris Brady started against Chile, recording five saves, but was at fault for the opener and could have conceded two more. Brian Schwake was subbed on at the half, but was beat by a phenomenal strike.

Of the four goalkeeper candidates, Kochen is the only one to play all ninety minutes of a match during this international break. The 20-year-old started and played every minute of a 3-0 win over rivals Mexico, making a phenomenal save to deny Roberto Alvarado. That was the only shot on target he has faced over his 135 minutes, but he's looked very comfortable throughout, both with his gloves and his feet.

At 20, Kochen is the youngest of the four goalkeepers called up by the United States this window. He's also the only one who does not play in Major League Soccer and, as a Barcelona player, has by far the most impressive resume. Kochen may not have played for the first team during his time in Catalunya, but learning every day from Wojciech Szczęsny, Marc-André ter Stegen, and Joan García is valuable.

There's a lot of work to be done before Kochen can be considered a top goalkeeper, or even a lock in goal for the United States. However, he's certainly on the right path. At 20, he's already played for Barcelona, albeit not in a competitive context, is now a regular at club level for Lyngby, and has kept two clean sheets internationally. Kochen could be the goalkeeper that the Americans have been looking for since Tim Howard's international retirement in 2017.

Even if Lyngby eventually make Kochen's move permanent, Barcelona could still benefit from the American's emergence. The more he develops as a player, the more Barcelona could get from his sell-on fee, and, given that he's only 20, there's also the possibility that Kochen could someday return to the club. Culers and United States fans alike will watch the young goalkeeper with interest.

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