Tim Howard’s again harm virtually definitely signifies that the US’ No. 2, Brad Guzan, can be in aim when the Individuals face Costa Rica and Mexico later this month. Is Guzan prepared? Jon Arnold explores.
ASN Slideshow
BY
Jon Arnold
Posted
March 09, 2013
8:59 AM
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Editor’s notice: Click on on the ASN Slideshow at proper for a guided tour by means of Brad Guzan’s profession.
Tim Howard has saved the U.S. from World Cup qualifying disasters time after time. However he will not be capable to assist when the Yanks tackle Costa Rica and Mexico later this month.
Barring a miraculous restoration from two damaged bones in his again, Howard, America’s No. 1 goalkeeper, will miss each matches. The U.S. Soccer Federation advised ASN it’s nonetheless gathering details about the state of affairs, but it surely’s secure to say it’s time to start out making ready Plan B. B as in Brad. Brad Guzan. How snug American followers really feel deploying a plan with out the dependable Howard in internet is determined by the extent of belief they place within the U.S. No. 2, Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan.
Guzan has developed right into a outstanding keeper since he left Main League Soccer in 2008 for the greener pastures of the English midlands. This has been a breakout season for the 28-year-old, whose performances have saved Premier League mainstay Shay Given on the Villa bench. It appears odd to reward the keeper of a staff that has allowed the third-most targets within the league this yr—53 as of this writing. But those that have watched the relegation candidates realize it may very well be a lot worse with out Guzan in aim.
Guzan’s worth additionally turns into evident when evaluating his Premier League stats with Howard’s. As ESPN’s Paul Carr reveals, the keepers’ stats are very related, besides that Guzan has needed to make 26 extra saves than Howard regardless of taking part in one fewer match. It speaks to each how nicely Guzan has carried out this season and the way dreadful Villa has been.
What separates Guzan from Howard? For one, his distribution is definitely higher. Guzan’s accomplished cross proportion usually hovers within the 70 p.c vary, together with his aim kicks typically going up the center and discovering a teammate. This statistic suits in properly with Jurgen Klinsmann’s oft-stated aim of constructing possession out of the again and into the assault.
Guzan additionally has turn out to be accustomed to forgetting about, and transferring on, from the targets he has allowed—a should for a goalkeeper whose staff was outscored 15-0 in a three-match interval. He seems to speak nicely with younger defenders on the pitch after they’ve made a mistake or when they should make an adjustment, even when he’s not all the time as animated as Howard after a giant save.
Except for vociferous clapping and a good Premier League staff, one factor Howard has that Guzan lacks is nationwide staff expertise. The 28-year-old has seen simply 19 minutes of motion beneath Klinsmann, and that got here as one in every of six subs in a 5-1 pleasant win towards Scotland in Could 2012. Guzan did see a while in a nationwide staff shirt a number of years in the past. 5 of his 20 caps got here in 2010 World Cup qualifying, the place he earned a 3-1-1 report. In actual fact, the then-Chivas USA man performed and gained a World Cup Qualifer on the website of this yr’s house qualifier towards Costa Rica. He was additionally in aim for the US’ 2-0 end result towards Guatemala in November 2008 at Dick’s Sporting Items Park outdoors Denver.
Along with his qualifier expertise, Guzan was in aim for the US’ win towards Egypt within the 2009 Confederations Cup, and he had extra success in South Africa when he captained the staff within the Nelson Mandela Problem the next yr.
The nationwide staff image has clearly modified drastically since these matches, however Guzan hasn’t precisely been an outsider. Klinsmann has included him in a number of camps, and the Chicago native is extensively thought of the second-best American keeper. With the U.S. protection struggling for consistency heading into this set of qualifiers, Guzan’s familiarity with taking part in behind a less-than-stellar again line can be helpful.
There’s a motive America has a fame for producing good goalkeepers; it’s a fame earned and borne out for many years now. If there’s any place the place the nationwide staff can afford an harm, even to a stalwart like Howard, it’s in aim.
Ought to there be one other unlucky harm or if Klinsmann simply desires to discover his choices there are a half-dozen MLS goalkeepers plus a handful of Europe-based guys who’re completely affordable choices in aim. With that stated, Guzan is prepared and able to taking issues into his puffy-gloved fingers.
