Jan. 10, 2005
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Brad Guzan has opted to forgo his final two years of eligibility at the University of South Carolina to begin his professional career. Guzan, a two-year starter at goalkeeper for the Gamecocks, will enter Major League Soccer as part of a class of developmental players, a group that includes several talented college underclassmen.
Guzan, a goalkeeper, signed a contract with the MLS and will now be available for selection in the league’s 2005 SuperDraft on January 14 in Baltimore, Md.
“Brad Guzan has been an outstanding student-athlete and has represented the University of South Carolina well in every respect,” South Carolina head soccer coach Mark Berson said. “We wish him all the best as he begins his professional career, and we know he’ll have great success.”
Guzan capped an impressive two-year career at USC by earning second-team All-America honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2004. He was also one of 15 semifinalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, annually presented to college soccer’s national player of the year. A team captain in 2004, Guzan registered a 1.34 goals-against average and posted five shutouts for a USC team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 17th time in school history. Guzan also collected 104 saves during the campaign, the third-most ever in a season by a Gamecock goalkeeper.
The 6-4 Guzan played every minute in goal for Carolina the last two seasons. As a freshman in 2003, he earned team MVP honors and was selected All-South Region after posting an 0.96 GAA and had eight shutouts. He was also listed on College Soccer News’ Freshman All-America team.
A native of Homer Glen, Ill., Guzan has enjoyed his time at South Carolina and is looking forward to beginning his professional career.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity I had here at USC,” Guzan noted. “I’m grateful for my coaches and teammates and the support gave me as I made this decision to leave school early and pursue my dreams. If not for this past year and a half at South Carolina and the soccer program, I don’t think I’d be where I am today. I’m ready now to take a leap into the professional ranks and hopefully have continued success. “
Along with 66 college seniors and 11 other development players, Guzan is in Carson Calif., at the Home Depot Center January 8-11, for the MLS Player Combine. The combine plays host to all of the MLS general managers and members of each of the team’s coaching staff who have valued opportunity to scout the future MLS stars as they compete with and against each other. Over four days, several college coaches work with players. South Carolina’s Berson coached at the 2004 event.
In the MLS, developmental players do not count against a team’s roster or salary cap.
Currently, three former Gamecocks are on MLS rosters. Clint Mathis (1994-97) recently signed with one of the League’s expansion teams, Real Salt Lake, after playing one year in Germany. Henry Ring (1997-2000) just completed his fourth season with the Chicago Fire, and Josh Wolff (1995-97) is coming off his sixth season in the MLS. Wolff played his first four seasons with the Fire before joining the Kansas City Wizards.
The SuperDraft, which consists of four rounds with 12 selections in each round, begins at 12 p.m. (ET) at the Baltimore Convention Center. The first hour of the draft will be broadcast live on Fox Sports World.
