May 27, 2004

TAMPA, Fla. – South Carolina men’s soccer standout sophomore goalkeeper Brad Guzan has gotten his summer off to a strong start as a member of the Chicago Fire Reserves as he was named the Premier Development League’s Player of the Week for May 25 the United Soccer Leagues announced on Tuesday.

The Chicago Fire Reserves hardly miss 2002 Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Pickens, who is now with the Virginia Beach Mariners on loan from the MLS Chicago Fire. Guzan has stepped right into the role and all he has done is post five clean sheets to open the season for the Fire Reserves.

Guzan blanked the Indiana Blast, Thunder Bay Chill and the powerhouse Des Moines Menace in the past week to help his side qualify for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Guzan posted three saves in a 5-0 road win in Indianapolis Wednesday and six saves Saturday in a 3-0 win that was interrupted by a lighting delay.

He capped the week Sunday with a two-save shutout against the Des Moines Menace, who have finished in the top two of the division the last three years and won the league’s 2002 regular season title with an unbeaten 15-0-3 mark. The victory clinched their spot in the US Open Cup.

Guzan is far ahead of his peers in the PDL with three more shutouts (five) than the group of five who trail him and is the only goalkeeper with over 300 minutes played that has not allowed a goal.

Information on the United Soccer Leagues is available at www.uslsoccer.com.