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Sizing up a potential return to MLS for Guzan

 

Brad Guzan Middlesbrough 55

After spending nearly a decade forging a career in England, Brad Guzan might be returning to the league that gave him his start.

Guzan has been linked with a potential return to MLS this winter, according to a report from FourFourTwo. The story states that the 32-year-old goalkeeper might just be gauging club’s interest in him ahead of the 2017 MLS campaign, and that a move back to the league that he spent three-and-a-half years in would see him come back on a non-Designated Player deal.

A U.S. Men’s National Team regular, Guzan is currently on the books of English Premier League side Middlesbrough. He has seldom played for the promoted club this season, making just three appearances across all competitions while serving as the primary back-up for Spanish veteran Victor Valdes.

Guzan, who began his career by suiting up for now-defunct Chivas USA, has not played for the Smoggies since August. He signed with Middlesbrough this past summer after Aston Villa was relegated to England’s second division.

Now, would a move back to MLS be a good one for Guzan? Given his lack of playing time at the club level and his current situation with the U.S., it most certainly would be.

Guzan is currently in the prime of his career, and returning to an improving MLS would surely serve him better than continuing to waste away on the bench. He almost certainly would like to spend these next few years playing consistently rather than biding his time as a No. 2 – which he has already done for both club and country for numerous years – and signing with an American or Canadian club that have salary caps to think of would all but assure him of a starting spot.

What’s more is that if Guzan hopes to have a shot of being the U.S. incumbent at the 2018 World Cup in Russia – assuming the Americans qualify, of course – then he needs to be getting regular minutes. Not only has his recent lack of playing time robbed him of the chance of being the U.S.’s go-to goalkeeper, but it has also allowed new head coach Bruce Arena to raise the question as to whether Guzan is even the primary back-up right now.

Leaving England without really establishing himself as a difference-maker might not be what Guzan had in mind when he made the jump across the pond to sign with Aston Villa in 2008, but it is in his best interest to join the growing list of U.S. internationals who have made their way back to MLS.

He has done the European excursion thing, testing himself abroad for eight-and-a-half years and playing in games against some of the world’s best players. It might not have gone as well as he would have liked, but Guzan would be well-served to return to MLS. That is, if he wishes to be on the field as a regular contributor and not as a mere spectator off of it. 

Comments

  1. I think guzan has had a little misfortune in his career. Aston Villa was a terrible team, but most agreed he played well despite the terrible defense they had. Middleborough signing looked good, but they got a nice name in Valdez, so Guzan hasn’t really been given a chance. I’m not saying he’s world class, but I believe he’s a good keeper and maybe hasn’t had the best opportunities to showcase that.

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  2. Guzan better come correct and with the mentally of putting in the work, or this move will be the downfall of he’s career

    on a side note
    Reports: Conflicting reports emerged on the future of D Steve Birnbaum on Nov. 30, as ESPN’s Marc Stein tweeted that United have come to terms with Birnbaum on a new contract, while UK outlet the Daily Star claimed that the US international center back is on Swansea manager Bob Bradley’s wish list for a loan stint as he seeks reinforcements for his struggling Premiership side.

    And also
    Reports: According to UK outlet the Daily Star on Nov. 30, Swansea City’s American manager Bob Bradley is eyeing D Matt Besler as a winter signing to patch his leaky back line if he’s unable to secure a loan deal for D.C. United’s Steve Birnbaum.

    LETS GO BOB!!!!!

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    • What’s up with Marc Stein, an “NBA-Insider” for ESPN, suddenly getting all of these leads lately on soccer over the past year?

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      • Steiny Mo is a huge Man City fan and footy fan in general. Maybe the world wide leader is trying to save some buck by having him double up on his reporting duties to offset the lost revenue from cord cutters

  3. ” signing with an American or Canadian club that have salary caps to think of would all but assure him of a starting spot” —yup take the easy money.

    Actually MLS wouldnt be bad for Guzan. At this point idk if he is guarenteed USNT material. just as good as Hamid or Rimando

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  4. He can get back into the national team picture by moving to a Championship team, assuming he will start there. And he might make more money there than in MLS.

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    • It’s no secret around here that I was a strong supporter of Klinsmann, but I’m on board with getting behind Arena, and he is a vehement proponent of our national team being comprised of domestic players (specially within MLS) – for better or worse.

      “I believe an American should be coaching the national team. I think the majority of the national team should come out of Major League Soccer. -Bruce Arena

      If Guzan comes back to MLS, and obtains the coveted playing time needed in the eyes of most national team managers, he’ll be exactly where our current manager wants him.

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  5. I think MLS teams would be crazy to put DP money on a keeper. No offense to Guzan, the US keepers rock, but that is the problem. There are plenty that can come close enough.

    Spend your money elsewhere.

    I get why Guzan would want to move. Aston Villa was low enough, with zero chance of winning anything. Now not starting at worse.

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    • I tend to agree with the sentiment that putting DP-money towards a position should be done so carefully and usually towards a creative player, forward or striker.

      However, I think GK may be the one, non-offensive, position I’d consider if the candidate was right. GK’s are game-changers if you have the right one. I suppose the question is whether or not Guzan is still considered one due to recent form or decline in performance/ability.

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    • Entertainment or football wise there’s not much difference between a keeper and Altidor or Bradley. None of them bring much to the league.

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      • “…Altidor or Bradley. None of them bring much to the league.”

        Do you even think before you type? Or afterward? This is why I don’t post here anymore.

      • Just a senseless hater. Altidore scored 15 goals and 7 assists in his last 19 games (after injury). Bradley was a Top-10 player in the league this season. They don’t bring entertainment value?

      • …and Roberto trolls pointlessly, yet again.

        I still has the confuse why exactly 99% of your existence seems dedicated to disdaining American soccer in between bouts of playing Barcelona on Dynasty Mode on your PlayStation.

        Yes, Roberto, we get it. We are not Barcelona on your PlayStation. Not sure why that offends you so perpetually.

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