Diego Kochen player profile

Primary position: goalkeeper
Date of birth: 03.19.2006

It's no surprise Kochen spent seven seasons in Barcelona's system. He has the excellent technical foundation you'd expect from a La Masia keeper. His footwork, positioning and punching technique are all very clean. He keeps his feet very active in anticipation of a shot, and his center of gravity is very good, which leaves him ready to react left or right, up or down. The way he makes himself big and forces decisions in 1v1 situations is one of his greatest strengths.

His distribution technique is also a major strength. He can hit any ball you'd want from a keeper: long diagonals to either side with either foot, driven balls on the ground between the lines, lofted balls to the full-backs and through balls over the top. He's precise with his throws as well. His accuracy needs to be more consistent, but the technique and fluidity are there for this to be a real long-term strength. He just looks comfortable and confident on the ball.

Kochen joined newly promoted Lyngby on loan from Barcelona in July and has played every minute of the Danish Superliga season so far. It's been a tough start for Lyngby as a team, but he's stood out, and the reps are invaluable for a goalkeeper his age.

His positioning relative to the near post and the defenders in front of him is usually solid, though it's probably an area that will tighten up as he gains more experience. He rarely gets beaten at the near post. From what I've seen, he may rely too much on the positioning of his defenders at times, and that's gotten him in trouble a few times at Lyngby.

At times, he can also be too eager to leave his line, which can land him in sticky situations on a bit of a walkabout. Still, I appreciate the decisiveness over hesitancy and getting caught between two minds. He handles himself pretty well on set plays, getting his team organized and getting himself into good positions.

His decision-making on the ball needs to be more consistent, and he still seems prone to a passing turnover here and there. I appreciate the confidence to invite the press and release the ball at the last moment, but he has to do it with more precision, because the risks are so high from that spot.

He doesn't have ideal size at around 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3, but he makes up for it with great explosiveness, reaction time and quick hands and feet. His lack of ideal height will limit which balls he can get to, though, and it may become a problem at times when he's competing for crowded balls in the air that he needs to high-point or punch out.

He's adept at full-extension saves high, quick-reaction saves close to his body and getting to ground quickly to make saves with his feet. He has shown strong hands to deflect and punch balls away from dangerous areas. He's very quick laterally, which allows him to get to redirected shots quickly and move across the box with suddenness. He has good strength, and he'll only get stronger in the coming years, which will help him on set plays and when handling crosses into the box.

First and foremost, he seems to be a maniac with little regard for his body, which is critical for a keeper. He's constantly communicating and has no problem shouting orders to his senior teammates. He's fearless and decisive when leaving his line, and he seems to have the utmost confidence in his ability on the ball.

He's always handled himself really well with the media and seems to be a player who loves playing for the United States. With Peruvian and Venezuelan heritage, he had other options, but he's stayed committed to the USMNT. Overall, he seems like a great leader and the right kind of person for a position so central to communication and leadership.

Fittingly, his debut came against Peru. He replaced Matt Freese at halftime, and the U.S. didn't concede the rest of the way in a 4-1 win. With Mexico and Canada left in the window, he'll be looking to build on that.