Oct. 31, 2007

NEW YORK – Marking the first of the 2007 Major League Soccer year-end awards, Major League Soccer announced that Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan was voted the 2007 Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year. The announcement came from the league office on Wednesday. Guzan, a Gamecock letterwinner during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, garnered second-team All-American accolades during his final season at USC. Among his many honors, he was also a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy and one of Soccer America’s 11 collegiate MVP’s in ’04. Guzan was the No. 2 pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft (Chivas), making him the highest goalkeeper ever drafted into the league.

The MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and the Individual Fair Play award were determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

Guzan, 23, in only his third year as a professional, was awarded the League’s top honor for goalkeepers after leading his club to the best record in the Western Conference (15-7-8), ranking first among goalkeepers in shutouts (13), tied for second in wins (14) and second in goals against average (0.93). Guzan’s 13 shutouts rank as the second most all-time behind Tony Meola’s 16 in 2000. His goals-against average was the fourth best of all-time in MLS.

The native of Homer Glen, Ill., and former South Carolina Gamecock anchored a strong defense that allowed just 28 goals this season, the second-best mark in MLS this season. Guzan was the regular starter in Chivas USA’s inaugural season in 2005, but managed only three wins as the team opened with a 4-22-6 record. In his second year, Guzan played in 13 games and tallied a record of 3-6-4.

Guzan becomes the 10th different player to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award. Only two players have received the award more than once (Joe Cannon and Pat Onstad). He led the voting ahead of Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad and New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.

New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst was named the winner of the MLS Fair Play award. The Columbus Crew earned the MLS Team Fair Play award, recognizing the Major League Soccer club with the fewest disciplinary points during the 2007 regular season.

For the complete release from the MLS league office PLEASE CLICK HERE