Jan. 14, 2005
BALTIMORE, Md. – Brad Guzan, who just completed an impressive two-year career at the University of the South Carolina, was the second player chosen in the first round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Friday in Baltimore, Md. Guzan was the first pick of the Los Angeles-based expansion team CD Chivas USA, and the highest goalkeeper ever selected in the draft.
“It’s very exciting,” Carolina head coach Mark Berson said of Guzan’s selection. “We’re very pleased and excited for Brad to make this next step to his pro career. It’s certainly a great honor for him to the be the highest goalkeeper ever picked. He was a credit to the South Carolina soccer program on the field and in the classroom, and we look forward to watching his career continue to grow.”
Following this past season, Guzan chose to forgo his final two years of eligibility as USC and begin his professional career. He signed with the MLS as part of its Generation adidas, class the League’s new youth player development program designed to identify and nurture the elite youth soccer talent in the United States.
Guzan capped his USC career as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American in 2004. The Homer Glen, Ill, native also earned All-South Region honors and was named one of 11 Soccer America’s College MVPs following the season history. He was also one of 15 semifinalists for the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy, awarded annually to college soccer’s national player of the year.
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 in 2004. He also collected 104 saves during the campaign, the third-most ever in a season by a Gamecock goalkeeper.
As a freshman in 2003, Guzan finished with a 0.96 goals-against average, the third-best in school history for a freshman goalkeeoer, and posted eight shutouts. He earned team MVP honors and made College Soccer News’ Freshman All-America team.
Guzan is the seventh USC player drafted into the MLS since the league’s inception in 1996 and joins three other former Gamecock players who are currently listed 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 was traded to FC Dallas during today’s draft. Ring was the MVP of the 2004 All-Star Game with the Fire in 2004. 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. In addition, Tim Glowienka (1999-2002) became the sixth USC player drafted in 2003. He was chosen in the third round by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.
Rob Smith (1991-94), who was selected by the Columbus Crew in the 1996 Supplemental Draft, was the first Gamecock player drafted into the league. In the 1997 Supplemental Draft, the Colorado Rapids chose Billy Baumhoff (1991-94). All seven draftees played for Berson at USC.
