CARSON, Calif. - In 2007, Brad Guzan needed one game to record a clean sheet.
This season, though, the fourth-year goalkeeper yielded a goal in five consecutive matches and had surrendered 13 total goals before finally picking up his first shutout of the 2008 season last weekend in a goalless draw at Houston.
Having shaken off the early-season cobwebs, Guzan said he felt the game was a step in the right direction.
"All professionals go through a spell where it's not their best moment and when there are times like that it's always going to be followed by good times," Guzan said. "This past weekend, the first shutout of the year, I was able to make some saves and I was able to help the team get a point in a hostile environment and that makes you feel good when you can do that. Hopefully it's a sign of good things to come after a tough spell."
Though the Red-and-White's first five opponents each found the back of the net against the club, Guzan's most trying times came against Columbus and the Galaxy. In each game, Guzan made an error that led directly to the match-winner as Chivas USA dropped each game.
Critics pointed to Guzan's failed move to England as a possible reason for the troubling start. English club Aston Villa was prepared to shell out millions for Guzan but his work permit was denied in the 11th hour.
Guzan, though, has been through much more trying times and came out a better person and player because of them. Guzan was thrown into the fire as a rookie during the Red-and-White's expansion season and, while he posted a 3-16-4 mark, Guzan's first year was a trial-by-fire that he eventually overcame.
"That was one of the positives to definitely take away from that first year. That was a tough year physically, mentally and the whole thing was a tough season to swallow," Guzan said. "Looking back on that and with everyone saying 'Oh, the last two weeks have been tough for him' that was nothing compared to Year One."
Even in those tough times, Guzan said he did not allow himself to sink into any depression. Nor did he let his confidence soar too high a year ago, when Guzan posted 13 shutouts and was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
"I've always used the attitude of 'You can't get too high, you can't get too low,'" Guzan said. "When things are going good, that's great but you can't get too high, you can't get overconfident and you have to make sure you stay focused. When things aren't going too well, you can't get too low, you can't start doubting yourself."
While Chivas USA slumped to a 1-3-1 start, Guzan did not let his confidence dip. Against one of the club's toughest rivals, Guzan responded. Entering Houston's Robertson Stadium, where the Red-and-White held an all-time 0-4-1 mark and had been outscored 10-1 before Saturday, Guzan showed why he was named the league's top goalkeeper a year ago. He made five saves, including a late stop off his face, to earn his first clean sheet of the year and the 21st of his four-year career.
"I was able to keep steady and know that I'm a good goalkeeper, I'm confident in myself and my abilities and the guys are confident in me," Guzan said. "It was just a matter of time before I was able to help the team in a good way and luckily it happened last weekend."
And while his worth could be measured in past accomplishments, Guzan said he prefers to measure himself by how he responds when not everything is going as planned.
"It's how you react in those tough times that makes you a good professional," he said.
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