Most important/valued position in football (soccer to our american cousins)

[CGM]

I'd say keeper also. I used to play keeper when I was younger. When I watch soccer on TV, one thing I see goalies doing wrong a lot is they misplay the action when there is a breakaway, or if the ball is momentarily loose near the goal. Goalies miss the opportunity to attack the dribbler, dive at the ball, take the attacker's legs out, whatever. Do you agree?

[killersheep]

Manager IMO

[BIG H]

Peter Cech is Chelsea's most important player, him (and the back four) were the main factors in them winning their 2 titles. But Man Utd wouldn't have won the league last year without Ronaldo, so it's difficult. Keepers = more points per season imo

[Mikkel_K]

It's hard to single out a position that is not the keeper. But players in other positions might sometimes win games singlehandedly - strikers, midfielders or defenders (like Beckenbauer) for that matter.

Also, Brazil has never really had a world class keeper for example, and they've done pretty well over the years. Might have done better with a Schmeichel, Cech or Buffon though.

[RozzySean]

If keeper were the most important position, wouldn't the US team do better? We produce more good keepers than anything else.

Keepers can certainly steal a game (see Oliver Kahn against the US in the World Cup quarterfinals) and they are one of the most important. I guess it depends on how you think about it. It's probably impossible to win consistently at a high level with a mediocre keeper, but if you can't score or defend, the best keeper in the world can't save you.

I'll take a great center-midfielder anytime. I don't think any position can dominate a game like a great center-mid. A guy like Zidane can practically carry a whole team - like he did in the 2006 semi.

Perhaps I'm being biased, because the U.S. never seems to able to produce anyone decent at that position.

[C-Lo]

I think the keeper is too. I maybe a bit partial because the goal keeper in soccer is like the libero in volleyball and that was the position I played in college.

Offense wins games, Defense win championships...

[CutMeMick]

Keeper.