CARSON, Calif. – Clement Diop showcased repeatedly that he’s one of the best shot stoppers around during his time with the LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy II this season.
As we review the Galaxy’s goalkeepers, we take a look at the talented Frenchman, who heads into the 2017 season on a high after a strong campaign that saw him make his first team debut while also continuing to serve as the starting goalkeeper for Los Dos.
What Diop is most known for, however, is his acrobatic shot stopping ability and below, I take a look at the five times that the Parisian defied the laws of physics.
DIOP DENIES DAVID VILLA
Clement Diop didn’t get a victory in his MLS debut, but he showed the qualities that have made him a highlight-reel machine.
Diop made six saves in the Galaxy’s match against New York City FC in July, with the finest effort coming late against David Villa. In the 80th minute when Villa found space in the Galaxy penalty area and unleashed a shot that forced Diop to make a remarkable one-handed save.
The save was not enough, however, as the Galaxy fell 1-0 to New York City.
CLEMENT STOPS THE ENERGY
Diop might have played the finest game of his young career in August when he made a series of world-class saves to help LA Galaxy II earn a scoreless draw with OKC Energy FC.
The Parisian was the difference in the match as his repeated ability to make the timely stop denied OKC the chance to take full points. Diop flummoxed the Energy throughout, making several saves and even denying a penalty kick in the second half.
However, Diop’s best save was his last when he made a one-handed backward diving save in extra time to preserve the shutout.
DIOP SAVES THE GALAXY FROM THE FIRE
Clement Diop earned his first point as a Major League Soccer goalkeeper in the Galaxy’s 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire, in a match that was highlighted by his impressive save of David Accam.
In the opening minutes of the match, Accam burst down the left side of the penalty area and launched a shot from a tight angle that Diop swatted away. The Parisian goalkeeper ended the match with five saves.
The game was Diop’s final game with the first team in 2016.
DIOP FIGHTS OFF SEATTLE
Diop kept up his flair for the dramatic in May when he made a breathtaking stop of Seattle Sounders FC 2’s Jordan Schweitzer.
With Los Dos holding onto a 1-1 draw late in the match, Schweitzer delivered a low driven shot into the corner that seemed destined for goal. It was not to be, however, as Diop dove to his left to keep the ball out of the net.
Diop finished the match with four saves.
DIOP PUNCHES AWAY ARIZONA
Clement Diop’s athleticism isn’t purely limited to making saves, however, as he’s also shown an ability to come off his line to stop attacks.
This attribute was best seen early on in the season when Diop made a diving punch to stop an Arizona United cross that was set to fall perfectly for an attacker on the back post.
Los Dos ended up earning a 2-0 victory in Diop’s first shutout of the season.
