Brad Guzan

12. Brad Guzan Goalkeeper | Club: Aston Villa (England) As the U.S.’s faithful back-up to Tim Howard, Guzan is no slouch himself. He stepped in during

Liviu Bird | May 30, 2014

Brad Guzan /

12. Brad Guzan

Goalkeeper | Club: Aston Villa (England)

Age	Hometown	Height	Weight	CS	Caps
29	Homer Glen, Ill.	6-4	210	8	25

As the U.S.’s faithful back-up to Tim Howard, Guzan is no slouch himself. He stepped in during qualifiers when Howard missed two games with injury, keeping shutouts both against Costa Rica in a Denver snowstorm and against Mexico in the vaunted Estadio Azteca. Guzan receives plenty of action in club play for Aston Villa, ensuring he is always sharp and ready if needed.

OUTLOOK: The back-up goalkeeper’s role is one of the most difficult in the game. Guzan will have to strike a balance between supporting Tim Howard and remaining sharp, because he is one injury or poorly timed tackle (and ensuing red card and suspension) away from being thrust into the spotlight.

Meet the 23: Complete roster breakdown

Published May 30, 2014

LIVIU BIRD

Liviu Bird is a soccer analyst with more than 20 years of experience in the game. He learned how to play in the streets of Romania before moving to the soccer wilderness of Fairbanks, Alaska, escaping to play collegiately as a goalkeeper at Highline Community College and Seattle Pacific University, where he also earned his B.A. in journalism. Bird played semiprofessionally and had tryouts at professional clubs but hung up his gloves in 2012 to focus on writing and coaching at the youth and collegiate levels. He joined Sports Illustrated in March 2013 as a freelance contributor and has also written for NBC Sports, Soccer Wire, The New York Times, American Soccer Now and the Telegraph (UK).