Regardless of how early a goalkeeper courts attention, there is typically a delay to receiving first-team minutes. The journey can be a long wait at the original club or a multi-stop journey throughout the first decade of a career in search of an opportunity. Through multiple moves, William Popp (ポープ・ウィリアム) continued pushing for minutes while carving out a solid career in Japan. The 29-year-old, now with Yokohama F. Marinos, is in position to claim the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League title, with his performances leading the way through the knockout rounds.
Born in the Tokyo Prefecture city of Hino to a Japanese mother and an American father, Popp played with Owada Soccer Club, becoming a goalkeeper when a broken ankle limited his mobility — the position switch became permanent after starring at the Hachioji New Year Futsal Tournament. Scouted by Tokyo Verdy (admitted into the club in part due to his mother’s height), his youth career overcame a delayed start compared to his peers and progressed upward through the age levels, including winning the prestigious Prince Takamado Trophy.
After 5 professional seasons and 11 total years on the books at Verdy, Popp stayed at Kawasaki Frontale on a permanent contract, a bittersweet move. “I couldn’t sleep the day I decided to leave Verdy,” said the goalkeeper. “I felt much more sad and lonely about leaving Verdy than I was happy to be competing as a member of Kawasaki Frontale, one of Japan’s top teams. I made the transfer at a time when I hadn’t achieved anything yet, and I hadn’t contributed anything to Verdy either. However, I loved Verdy more than anyone else, and I wanted to do it for Verdy… I will always be a Verdy supporter, and I am someone who grew up with green blood.”
Departing Kawasaki Frontale, Popp returned to Oita Trinita on a permanent deal, believing the club would provide him with “the toughest practice in Japan.” In his sole season with Azūro (Azzurro) the goalkeeper played in 19 total matches but lost his starting gig for the second half of the year as the club was relegated from the J1 League. However, he continued to grow as a player, working on his positioning and correcting other issues.
At the international level, Popp made a few appearances for Japan’s youth sides. He was described as a “hero” for the U-19 team after securing a first-place finish at the 2012 SBS Cup and was included with the U-20 squad at the East Asian Games. The program named him as a late call-up to the U-21 side that competed at the 2014 Asian Games (describing the quarterfinal finish as a “good experience”) along with keeping him in the mix with the U-22 group during the ensuing Olympic qualifying.
Standing over 6’3” and with “long limbs and skillful footwork,” Popp is an active presence in the box with “outstanding” shot-stopping and quick reactions, a product of his springy athleticism. One of the J1 League’s top shot-stoppers, he is a constant operator in the build-up with “above-average technique” and accurate long-range distribution, willing to leave his area all the way to the center circle and drill line-splitting passes while under pressure. His work on crosses is proactive, although there is a penchant for deflecting away the ball instead of catching.
His best quality is perhaps the ability to make adjustments and improvise on breakaways and close-range opportunities, reestablishing his positioning or flailing the necessary limb in order to force a stop. Unless an unexpected change is made by the manager, Popp will be an American goalkeeper featuring in a Champions League final, which is quite the change of fortune for a player who was on the trajectory of a journeyman and failed to win his first professional match until the age of 25. As an academy prospect, he was viewed as possessing the talent to be a starter in Japan’s top division, but competition for the limited opportunities at his position is fierce. His career may have finally turned a corner and a continental club title would cement his ascension and perhaps lead to some interest at the international level.
