'Goalkeeping is so much bigger': Jill Loyden's journey to the Keeper Institute

It started in Atlanta in 1996. Jill Loyden was in the stands with her grandmother, watching the USA win gold from a few yards away. Bri Scurry, the hero in gloves.

"They were on the platform, and they were getting the flowers, and they were getting the gold medal around their neck, and I was like, Nana, I want to do that one day," Loyden told Squad Depth.

Like so many professional footballers, Loyden's journey started with a spark. But over the next 28 years, she would embark on a winding unpredictable road to where she is now.

Loyden remembers a trip to Tony DiCicco goalkeeper camp when she was a teenager that expanded her horizons. Not just for soccer, but for the goalkeeper position too.

"I realized, like, wow, goalkeeping is so much bigger than I initially thought it was in my little small town of New Jersey. And I met other people who were passionate about the position. I met coaches that like recognized my talent that I naturally had," she said.

"That was something that really fueled my curiosity for the position in the sport, and really, bringing it to now, is why I do what I do at the keeper Institute."

Between 2007 and 2016, Loyden was a professional goalkeeper in the WPS, Australian W-League and the NWSL. She also received 10 caps for the United States between 2010 and 2014.

In 2014, Loyden founded the Keeper Institute, an all-encompassing training school that aims to educate young aspiring goalkeepers and current pros in every component of their game. 

Loyden and her staff have been working tirelessly to creating a nurturing and open learning atmosphere. A huge reason behind that is for players to accept failure is part of growth.

"We are so, so intentional to create a safe, inclusive, encouraging environment for players to thrive in. I'm going to push you. I want you to be adaptable and flexible and solve this problem in as many different ways as possible. And in order to that, you have to have this radical acceptance for the fact that you're going to make mistakes and you're going to fail," said Loyden.

Based in Loyden's home of South Jersey, the Keeper Institute is more than just place where all skill levels can hone their technique, leadership skills and mental health. It's a place that is trying to shift the landscape of elite New Jersey soccer.

"Something that brings me substantial satisfaction is to be able to give back to the next generation. And that was something I always knew that I wanted to do, was start a school for goalkeepers.

"Where I'm from, in South Jersey, there's not a lot of resources for goalkeepers everything for me, which is why I didn't have a coach when I was younger, it was over two hours away in North Jersey. So I knew I wanted to change the landscape of goalkeeping in South Jersey, and I also knew about some of the life experiences that I had as a player."

In addition to running the Keeper Institute, Loyden has been a broadcaster for ESPN, CBS and other channels covering the NWSL, MLS and NCAA soccer for a number of years.

Loyden has a natural talent as a down-to-earth but informed analyst. Someone who wants to break down the game into its minutia while also making it easier for the viewer to understand the nuances.

She has effectively become a football translator for many, and quickly one of the most respected and positively reviewed commentators in women's soccer.

"I think that's always been the criticism of Americans – players and fans – that we don't really understand the game as well as everyone else in the world. And so, yeah, I just, I just try to to highlight the women, the incredible women in our league, as best I can," she said of her broadcast work.

Being media savvy has helped the Keeper Institute have a YouTube and podcast arm where they can help build community and share analysis and best practices. Which is what it always comes back to with Loyden: Community.

"I always knew that the Keeper Institute was going to be something greater than just me. That's why it isn't named 'The Jill Loyden Goalkeeper School' for instance. It was about a community of people.

"There were so many times I felt so alone throughout my playing career. I was like, No one understands what I'm experiencing? So, how can I create a community where we all can collaborate together and build each other up and also fill in the gaps of each other and come together and make this really awesome place."