For Now, Guzan Is the Man
Brad Guzan can hear the footsteps fast approaching. And Chivas USA’s 20-year-old rookie goalkeeper is not afraid to look back.
Because with veteran starter Martin Zuniga, who suffered a sprained left knee March 2, having played 90 minutes in a Reserve Division game Sunday, it’s only a matter of time before Coach Thomas Rongen has a decision to make, one made tougher by the recent improved play of Guzan.
“We’re definitely pushing each other,” Guzan said Tuesday, before the team departed for tonight’s match at Real Salt Lake.
“He’s not 100% game-fit yet. He’s just hoping to get back to the point now where he can play and not worry about his knee.”
A little gamesmanship by El Gusano, the Worm, against El Pulpo, the Octopus?
Guzan says no but the Chivas atmosphere definitely has changed since Zuniga was injured.
At the time, Guzan was supposed to merely hold things together until Zuniga recovered. But after a rough start, in which Guzan surrendered 11 goals in his first 302 minutes, he has won over teammates and fans with a stingy game in the net, giving up only three goals in his last 328 minutes.
“You have to have confidence to play your best so I have to feel it’s my job and he has to take it away,” Guzan said. “But at the same time, he’s a veteran and he’s getting closer every game.”
So there’s no bitter rivalry?
“We’re like best friends,” Guzan said. “We converse perfectly in Spanish and English. It’s a fun time.”
Zuniga, who was not available for comment, played all 90 minutes of Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Colorado’s supposed Reserve squad, which fielded such first-team starters as Mark Chung and Wolde Harris. Rongen said Zuniga would play in a scrimmage Friday. “It’s probably Brad’s [job] to lose right now,” Rongen said.
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A bizarre scene played out at the Home Depot Center on Friday when Chivas trained only feet from the Galaxy. Chivas was using Field 5, the complex’s artificial turf field, in hopes of getting ready for Real’s fake grass field.
TONIGHT
at Real Salt Lake, 6:30 PDT
Site -- Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Radio -- 830.
Records -- Chivas USA 1-5-1, Real Salt Lake 2-3-2.
Record vs. Real Salt Lake -- 1-0-0.
Update -- Real will be without forward Jason Kreis, Major League Soccer’s all-time leading scorer, who has picked up his third yellow card in as many games. Real goalkeeper D.J. Countess, who suffered a sprained left shoulder in the first meeting between the expansion franchises, a 1-0 Chivas win May 7, is listed as probable. Rookie Jay Nolly started in goal for Real in its 2-1 defeat of the Galaxy Saturday. Chivas midfielder Francisco Gomez, who suffered sprains to his left ankle and knee in the season opener, played 90 minutes in Sunday’s Reserve match and made the trip to Utah.
