Friday, July 11, 2008

Guzan is gone


The Brad Guzan Era is over. Guzan is no longer a member of Chivas USA.

El Guzano, the boy who became a man and won over Chivas USA's fans in the process, is on his way out. A source just confirmed that Guzan is on his way to Aston Villa in a deal that has been finalized and will see Guzan head to the English Premiership effective immediately.


Guzan departs in a deal that really is no surprise even if the timing of it caught people off guard. Guzan was thisclose from going to Aston Villa in January but the deal fell apart at the last minute when he couldn't secure a work permit.

As he his contract was up at the end of 2008, there were basically three options - re-sign with the league, go to Europe over the summer or walk on a free transfer in the winter. The league is not dumb enough to let potential millions of dollars slip away, and neither is Guzan. So this was the only option available for Guzan and MLS.

For Guzan, the move is good. Heading over to England will help him elevate his game even further and could give him a realistic opportunity of beating out Tim Howard as the United States national team's number one goalkeeper.

For Chivas USA, the move is a potentially damaging move. Even with Guzan, the club struggled to find consistency during the first half of the season. Now with Dan Kennedy as the defacto number one goalkeeper, the club needs to adjust to life without Guzan and Kennedy needs to show more than he did in his one appearance, a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake.

There may be a reinforcement coming but Kennedy has been around long enough (since the start of the preseason) to have learned both from Guzan and the coaching staff.

But there is no replacing Guzan. He was the team's first-ever draft choice and went from a raw untested rookie to solid MLS goalkeeper in a matter of months. Last year, he showed his worth as he walked away with MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors.

14 comments:

Rene said...

great news for guzan. he's definitely earned the move to a bigger challenge. here's hoping he succeeds everyone's expectations.

as a galaxy fan, i'm glad he's gone because he's a goalkeeper u have a tough time dealing with, but at the same time, i'm hoping kennedy easily steps up to the plate or chivas picks up another solid gk so galaxy/chivas usa games remain intense and with something on the line.

Anonymous said...

As a Chiva fan, I'm sad to see Guzano go. But as a Guzan fan, I'm really glad that he can 1) get paid! and 2) play in the best league in the world. We'll miss him.

AC, what have you heard about Keilor Navas at Saprissa? According to Vergara, Chivas will be getting a young, but very good, keeper from Saprissa. he's the only young one on their roster.

Anonymous said...

That last part was for AC or LB. :D

L.B. said...

That is apparently who is coming here. It took four years but the Saprissa connection is finally paying off! Looks like he's been playing quite a few games for Saprissa this year at least in international competition. He was the starter during Saprissa's CONCACAF Champions Cup run and led the team to the final. He's young as you said and talented (he played for Costa Rica's U-20 side) with a lot of upside. If nothing else, he and Dan Kennedy will have an ongoing competition and will only make each other better.

Anonymous said...

Sweet. I think Kennedy is pretty good, but I'm all for competition. Maybe it'll bring some Costa Rican fans to Chivas too. :) The more the merrier, I say.

L.B. said...

Yeah, I think Kennedy can handle it if he's the number one. But I guess we'll see how he does against Pachuca and Santos, eh? Kennedy has a really good story as he played in Puerto Rico and Chile. I guess now that Brad is gone I can write it.

A.C. said...

Every time I read something Luis posts about Kennedy, I get nervous, because his youngest daughter is named Kennedy, and she's too young to take over in goal right now.
But that's Kenna, I finally remember, and Dan is probably going to do fine.
Guzan, meanwhile, came through the fire of that first difficult Chivas USA season like annealed steel. It made him tougher, stronger and more effective.
Now only Panchito Mendoza remains as an original Chivas USA player.

bizriak said...

WOOHOO!!! I'm a huge Villa fan and a Yank--I win both ways: Guzan will eventually become both the starter for us (over the next few years) and he will push Howard by training with the best manager in the Prem!

UP THE VILLA!!!

Frank Macomber said...

Guzan is a badass, have to say I'm glad to see him go.

Anonymous said...

Good to hear that Chivas is looking to bring in re-inforcement between the post, but WHERE ARE THE OUTFIELD RE-INFORCEMENTS?!? Almost everyone else in MLS is rumored to be bringing in players to fill holes yet there is silence out of the Chivas camp. Granted I think they're doing ok but they still have needs that could be filled and we're yet heard nothing other then the rumor of a Ruiz trade (ugh)

Ben Aranda said...

As a fan of US Soccer and the MLS I think this is a fantastic move. Not only does the future of the MNT get a better keeper, it also shows the world that our little league over here does indeed contain some players that can thrive in the top leagues in the world... Although it is too bad to lose a talent like Guzano. When will the owners raise the cap so we can keep at least some players here.

Anonymous said...

I'm not a fan of CUSA, but Guzan is one of my favorite players in MLS (Chicago boys stick together I guess. ;) )
It's great to see him get an opportunity in a bigger league where I am sure he will shine (and will be the starter at Villa this coming season)I really think he could give Timmy a run for his money in a couple years which is only good news for the USMNT to have high competitions at as many positions as possible.

starinyourfire said...

this just proves even more that the US produces good goal keepers

Unknown said...

Give Bob Bradley a share of the transfer! All those half time subs finally paid off!