Cardiff City’s Horvath Faces Tough Start After Own Goal Against Burnley
- USMNT's Ethan Horvath made a costly mistake during a game for Cardiff City.
- The error is likely to hinder his chances of becoming the top goalkeeper for the USA.
- This setback raises doubts about Horvath's future performances and opportunities.
Cardiff City’s goalkeeper Ethan Horvath endured a challenging start to the 2024-25 season, making a critical error in the ninth minute of their away match against Burnley. After losing their opening game 2-0 to Sunderland, Cardiff was looking for redemption, but Horvath’s misjudgment on a backpass allowed the ball to slip under his foot and into the net, marking a disastrous beginning for the team at Turf Moor. Head coach Erol Bulut had emphasized the importance of concentration, particularly in the opening stages of the match against a formidable Burnley side, which is among the favorites for promotion back to the Premier League. Burnley, co-owned by NFL star JJ Watt, had already secured a convincing 4-1 victory against Luton Town in their previous match, setting the stage for a challenging encounter for Cardiff. Horvath’s blunder not only impacted the match but also raised questions about his position in the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) depth chart. With only ten caps since his debut in 2016, his performance at Turf Moor, where he conceded five goals against an expected goals tally of 0.81, could jeopardize his standing. Meanwhile, Matt Turner, who previously held the starting position for the USMNT, is struggling for game time at Nottingham Forest, prompting speculation about potential transfers before the summer window closes. In contrast, Gabriel Slonina has been making strides at Barnsley in League One, raising the possibility that incoming head coach Mauricio Pochettino may consider promoting a U.S.-based goalkeeper to challenge for the starting role in the national team.