Intro:
I am Brad Friedel, an American goalkeeper for Tottenham Hotspur in the UK. I currently hold the Premier League record for the most consecutive match appearances (310).
I'm visiting Under Armour headquarters today to help plan some local clinics and camps. We have an hour between meetings so AMA!
*** EDIT ***
Thank you very much for having me. Sorry I couldn't answer everyone's questions - I have to go do a clinic on behalf of Under Armour and Tottenham so I need to run.
User:Hi Brad, if you are the substitute goalkeeper for your team, and the first choice keeper makes a mistake that leads to a goal, what emotions do you go through? Do you resent the fact that you were not first choice?
Brad:When I was younger, I always wanted to be the #1 GK, I can't lie - I would never be that upset if the GK playing besides myself made a mistake. However, I would have never had wanted the team to lose. That is just human nature. However, at Tottenham, and at 42 years of age, I definitely do not have these feelings and I always want Hugo/Tottenham to do very well.
User:1) From your experience, who has the hardest shot to stop in the Premier League?
2) Who's the biggest joker in the Spurs dressing room?
Brad:1. I'll go with players that are currently playing, and I would have to say it's a toss-up between two of our Tottenham players: Jermain DeFoe and Gareth Bale.
2. Tom Huddlestone.
User:Hey Brad, I just wanted to say that I am an American, long time Spurs fan and I think you're an awesome person and what you have done for the club has been amazing. I have a few questions for you...
What are your teammates like and who are you closest with?
What is it like being older than the head coach?
How much do you know about the Bale - Real Madrid possible transfer ahead and how is he dealing with the pressure that Madrid is putting on him?
Would you ever consider playing in the MLS?
Brad:The teammates at Tottenham are a really good group of guys and we all have a good relationship with each other. There are no real cliques at the club, which you have probably noticed by the camaraderie we have shown on the pitch. My closest friends on the team are generally the older ones lol but, I get along with everybody.
In life, yes I am older than AVB. However, in management, he is far more experienced than me. We have a very good relationship and I respect him very much as manager.
I know Gareth very well and I know he's been playing a lot of golf this off-season. Regarding a possible transfer - I know nothing about this and have not spoken to him about it. And I, like every Spurs supporter and every member of Spurs staff, hope he stays for many, many years at Tottenham.
I always thought that I would probably finish my career in the MLS, however I kept getting contract offers with fantastic clubs later in my career and now I find myself at a very big club in Tottenham at the age of 42. I think time is probably against me now to finish as a player in the MLS, however that is not to say that I won't come back to the MLS at some stage in my career in some capacity.
User: Hi Brad, thank you for the AMA.
Who do you think is the best keeper in the world currently?
What do you regard as your most important save ever?
As an American, what’s it like playing in the Premier League for a big club like Tottenham Hotspur?
What does it take to play 310 Premier League games in a row?
Its not only the injuries, in the modern game its the automatic red card which keepers usually get when they concede fouls - how did you manage to avoid getting sent off during the 310 streak?
Brad: Manuel Neuer is probably my choice right now. However, this changes often because there's always competition for places.
Probably the penalty save vs South Korea in the 2002 World Cup.
It's a great honor to represent such a great club like Tottenham Hotspur.
Luck, hard work, good diet, lots of yoga, and intelligent managers lol
I did get sent off once, however the referee made a mistake and I had the red card rescinded.
User:French here - how is your relationship with Hugo Lloris?
Brad:My relationship with Hugo is very good. He's a really nice guy and a really hard worker and we get along with one another very well. Hopefully he can enjoy a very long and successful stay with Tottenham.
User:Hey Brad! I am chair of ATL Spurs: The official Tottenham Supporters Club in Atlanta. We already have over 100 Spurs fans coming out to watch parties and events. If you ever find yourself in Atlanta, please, please, please let us know!
I was at the game against Aston Villa where Hugo started and your record streak ended. How long before the game did you know that would be the end of the streak and what were your feelings? How you handled the situation spoke volumes about your character and professionalism.
Brad:I was told the day before at the training ground. It was one of those times in my career that I had to put the team before myself and I did that and we all move on.
User:Hey Brad!
would you mind running us through the stretching/warmup routine that has allowed you to play so many consecutive matches?
What have you noticed are the most major changes that have occured within the top flight in the last ~20 years?
Do you nerd out about gloves/boots, or do you just use whatever your sponsors hand you?
Cheers, mate!
Brad:It is a four letter word called yoga.
Pace of the game and the athleticism of the players.
I'm not sure if I "nerd" about them, however they are an important tool in my line of work. I have recently signed a contract with Under Armour, who are the club sponsor at Tottenham, and I have seen up close now what goes in to all the product at a company such as this. This is a company that the soccer world needs to take serious notice in.
User:Hi Brad, For a while people were saying Hugo Lloris should be keeping for Spurs. Did they keep you on to get a clean 310 streak or was it just a matter of Lloris settling in? I know Bartez wasn't happy about it. You did well in my fantasy football team btw. Even if you don't know how to save Penos. We all still enjoyed you playing!!! Thanks for doing this AMA!!! Big fan.
Brad:When Hugo signed, I was playing in the team because I was playing well, it had nothing to do with my streak of 310 consecutive games. I'm very proud of the 310 consecutive games, however, no manager would have played any player just due to a record if they didn't think they could get results for the team. Hugo is an exceptional goalkeeper and he was bought at 25 years of age because of his talent and the fact that he could potentially be the goalkeeper for Tottenham for the next 10 or so years if he keeps himself fit and I personally hope that he is very successful with us.
I don't want to go into the Barthez comments again. I said what I needed to say and I stand by my words.
