Question Number: 35076

Other 8/21/2023

John of Berlin, NJ United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 35071

I'd like your opinion again. Mary Earps is being lauded as the best keeper at the WWC. What about the Swedish goalkeeper Muscovic?
OK, she didn't win the whole thing (neither did Earps) but she had a number of brilliant saves especially against the Americans.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI John,
In my opinion, many of the keepers performed well. As referees we are not overly concerned with opinions, just the LOTG and their fair and equitable application. I do not really worry who the best was or thought to be. I do agree she had a great game against the USA. I appreciated the skill, talent and effort which many of the keepers and players displayed in abundance. It is likely if Sweden HAD progressed and won, it is conceivable Muscovic could have been chosen for the golden glove. I suggest if you thought the young lady did well send her a congratulatory note expressing your admiration and hopefully it might take some of the sting out of placing 3rd once again! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
I’m not a fan of subjective awards yet they have become a feature of the game including player of the match awards.
When awarding the Golden Glove, a FIFA panel considers clean sheets, saves and overall performances of each contending goalkeeper.
Obviously like any panel award there will be objective as well as subjective factors to be taken into consideration
Australia’s Mackenzie Arnold has secured four clean sheets out of seven games.
Her only real error until the last four came in Australia’s shock 3-2 loss against Nigeria. She played 7 games and had 4 clean sheet. Loss in tne 3rd place game conceding two goals was no doubt a factor.
Mary Earps had 7 games and three clean sheets with some excellent performances.
Sweden’s Zećira Mušović had emerged as an unlikely contender for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Golden Glove. Her performance against the US was excellent and no doubt was a key factor in progressing.
Having only ten Swedish appearances to her name, the 27-year-old was called up as her nation’s number one for this tournament after veteran goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl was left out of the squad.
She had a fine tournament yet not making the final I felt ruled her out and four clean sheets was a great performance.

So if one assumes that clean sheets are a consideration then there are other factors that must have been key in deciding plus perhaps reaching the final. Perhaps the number of saves made is another key factor? A poor defense can certainly up the number of saves to be made plus clean sheets can be more difficult particularly if penalties are conceded.

So all these goalkeepers can look back on fine performances yet any goalkeeper will want to win the tournament rather than a Golden Gloves award.