Guzan eyes Chivas season opener
Looks like little can keep Chivas' goalkeeper off the field
Then, with Guzan seemingly in line to begin the season in the Red-and-White goal after all, a knee injury threatened to keep him off the field as well.
But whether it's a multi-million dollar transfer or a potentially harmful injury, it seems little can keep "El Guzano" from playing for Chivas USA at the start of the season.
Just three weeks after spraining a knee ligament, Guzan returned to practice with little evidence of having suffered any injury at all. In Wednesday's training session, Guzan was his usual imposing self in goal during a small-sided game. He turned away several shots, including an attempt by Francisco Mendoza from distance that Guzan leapt for and gently pushed over the crossbar.
With his rapid recovery, Guzan said he would likely be part of the 2008 season opener.
"Definitely," Guzan said when asked if he would possibly start against FC Dallas on March 30. "Today was my first day back in live game action ... and it's good to be back. I feel good and I feel strong so I think we should be all set."
After injuring his knee during training on March 3, Guzan was diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament. The injury is actually a common one in Red-and-White history. Guzan underwent a special procedure to help in his recovery process. Blood was drawn from his arm, removed of its plasma and injected into his injured knee. Former teammate Francisco Palencia as well as current players Jonathan Bornstein and Ante Razov have used the procedure -- called a platelet rich plasma injection -- to help overcome similar injuries over the last two years.
While the others were at various stages of their own respective seasons, Guzan's own recovery is progressing quickly.
"I would say very close, within 5 percent if not 100 percent," Guzan said of his health status. "I feel a pull and a tug a little bit here and there when I'm striking the ball but the pain lasts only a few seconds which is a good sign according to our medical staff."
Guzan took the field on Tuesday but it was not until Wednesday that he participated with the rest of his teammates. As the squad split into a seven-on-seven match, Guzan manned one of the goals and was tested often by his teammates. He had his usual mobility as he skirted from side to side to block shots, parry them away and distribute to his teammates.
He said being active did not allow the chance to deliberate over his injury during the session.
"The pace is quick, you see a lot of action, a lot of shots. You don't have time to think about it. If the game was slow and you see a shot maybe every couple of minutes it might be different," Guzan said. "Today was a good first day back. I didn't feel anything and wasn't thinking about it at all."
The injury might heal in enough time for Guzan to participate in another match previously feared a lost cause. The U.S. national team could call on Guzan for the upcoming friendly in Poland.
"We'll see what happens. Obviously that's up to Bob (Bradley) and he'll make the ultimate decision. Right now I'm trying to get to as close to 100 percent if not 100 percent as quick as possible and make sure I'm ready for our opening game in Dallas," Guzan said. "If the call comes to go to Poland, that would be great. If not, I'm not worried about it. I'll just try and be ready to help us get a win next Sunday."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
