Nov. 8, 2004
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore Brad Guzan is one of 15 semifinalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, which honors college soccer’s national player of the year, the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of American announced recently. Guzan, who hails from Homer Glen, Ill., is the only goalkeeper and one of only two underclassmen named to the list.
“We’re very pleased and proud for Brad to be nominated for this award and to be considered in such an elite group of the top talent in the country,” USC head coach Mark Berson said. “He belongs in that class as a player and as a person. He is certainly an excellent representative of our soccer program both on and off the field.”
Since his arrival at USC for the 2003 season, Guzan has started every match at goalkeeper. A team captain in this season, he has helped guide the Gamecocks to an 11-6-1 record and five shutouts in 2004. Guzan has played 1,640 minutes in goal and owns a 1.26 goals-against average to go with 94 saves this season. He also has a .803 save percentage and ranks in the top 20 nationally in saves per match.
In 2003, Guzan enjoyed an outstanding rookie season with the Gamecocks. He was selected NSCAA All-South Region and named to College Soccer News’ All-Freshman team. Guzan finished with a 0.96 goals-against average (GAA) and posted eight shutouts. In addition, his .793 save percentage ranks fifth and his 0.96 GAA ranks third all-time for a freshman at USC.
Over the summer, he competed with the Chicago Fire Reserves team in the Professional Development League. He led the PDF in goals-against average (0.388), shutouts (8), victories (13) and goals allowed (5) and was selected to the All-League team.
Guzan joins a long line of excellent goalkeepers who have played at South Carolina under Berson, who was a collegiate goalkeeper himself. In 1985, Warren Lipka was chosen as the National Goalkeeper of the Year and Charles Arndt achieved the same feat in 1988. Arndt (1988) and Henry Ring (1998 and 2000) garnered All-America honors for the Gamecocks.
The 15 candidates for the M.A.C. Hermann Award, college soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy, were selected by a nominating committee of Division I college coaches. The winner will be determined in voting by NSCAA Division I member coaches. Three men’s and three women’s finalists for the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy will be announced at the 2004 Men’s College Cup in December. The finalists will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on Friday, Jan. 7, 2005, for the announcement of the winner at a press conference. Both winners will be presented with the prestigious crystal soccer ball trophy at a banquet later that evening.
2004 Semifinalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy
Jason Garey, Jr., Forward, Gonzalez, La., Maryland
Kevin Goldthwaite, Sr., Midfielder, Sacramento, Calif., Notre Dame
Matt Groenwald, Sr., Midfielder, Mt. Prospect, Ill., St. John’s
Brad Guzan, So., Goalkeeper, Homer Glen, Ill., South Carolina
Will John, So., Forward, Kansas City, Mo., Saint Louis
C.J. Klaas, Sr. Defender, Cherry Valley, Ill., Washington
Aaron Lopez, Sr., Defender, Santa Barbara, Calif., UCLA
Guy Melamed, Sr., Defender, Nofit, Israel, Boston College
Drew Moor, Jr., Defender, Dallas, Texas, Indiana
Julian Nash, Sr. Forward, San Leandro, Calif., Creighton
Danny O’Rourke, Sr., Midfielder, Columbus, Ohio, Indiana
Ryan Pore, Jr., Forward, Mansfield, Ohio, Tulsa
Gonzalo Segares, Sr., Defender, San Jose, Costa Rica, VCU
Jack Stewart, Sr. Midfielder, Torrance, Calif., Notre Dame
Abe Thompson, Sr., Forward, Fairfax Station, Va., Maryland
