Brad Guzan continues to add to a legendary career.
Brad Guzan continues to add to a legendary career.
The 40 year old keeper is coming off the heels of his best year in MLS, preventing 2.31 goals over the past week when Atlanta needed him most.
It’s been nearly 20 years since Brad Guzan made MLS history when Chiva USA used their first ever draft pick to select the Chicagoland native second overall in the MLS Superdraft. It’s been a long storied career but Guzan - now 40 years old - continues to be one of the better goalkeepers in Major League Soccer.
Guzan may have felt his spot slipping following last season when his shot stopping numbers were some of the worst in the league, ranking 64 out of 65 in post-shot saves above expectedd.
Atlanta was ready to usher in Guzan’s replacement when they signed 30 year old Josh Cohen from Israeli side Maccabi Haifa, and while Cohen was named the Israeli Footballer of the Year following the 2020-21 season, he only started three matches in MLS thanks to Guzan’s late career renaissance.
Guzan has rekindled something this season, blowing past last year’s paltry shot stopping numbers by ranking 7/65 with a positive 4.7 post shot saves above expected.
It’s been a good year for Guzan, maybe his best in MLS, highlighted by three performances over the past week.
Atlanta United needed their veteran stopper as they fought for their playoff lives on MLS Decision day in Orlando. Away from home, facing off against the side 4th in the table, Guzan turned away seven shots, boosted his club with 15 recoveries while facing 2.29 xGoT in Atlanta’s 1-2 win. The 5 Stripes slid into the final playoff spot with a quip trip up to Montréal that Tuesday.
The play-in match against 8th place CF Montréal presented another challenge as Rob Valentino’s squad appeared to run out of steam after going ahead 2-0 just before half time.
Despite the two goals against - one credited directly to the keeper’s error in handling the ball - Guzan was a spark. Still saving 5 shots after facing 2.31 xGoT.
Josef Martínez appeared destined for a third goal against his former captain, but as the two battled, it was Guzan’s save on Tom Pearce that sealed playoff soccer for Atlanta.
However, the journey was far from over as Atlanta then had to travel to Miami ahead of Friday’s playoff opener. A third match in six days, and a showdown against the reigning Supporter’s Shield winners.
Atlanta has been a bogey team for Miami all season, and continued to give the league’s largest payroll a run for its money as tired legged chaos powered Atlanta towards a draw when Saba Lobzhanidze scored in the 39th minute.
Still, it was Brad Guzan that kept Atlanta above water while Miami outplayed and outshot them 22-6, leading to nine saves and 3.07 xGoT against. That tally included shutting Lionel Messi off the scoresheet despite nine shot attempts from the Argentine living legend.
It was always going to be an uphill battle as Atlanta now have to win two straight following Friday’s loss but that shouldn’t overshadow Brad Guzan’s final stand for United.
Guzan’s contract status for 2025 is still up in the air, but what does Atlanta have to lose at this point. It may be the dying embers of a storied career but Guzan has prevented 2.67 goals from shots on target over the past week, the single greatest impact on Atlanta’s playoff campaign.
Guzan would have to reach yet another level to keep Miami from advancing to the second round, but that future performance would only add to a unique and storied legacy.