Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) Guzan in goal. Stream link: http://www.justin.tv/sportstime
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) I'm listening online - announcers are very pleased with Brad's play thus far. He's made two excellent saves to keep Villa 1-nil up
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) HT 1-0 Villa John Carew or Sidwell scored. I couldn't tell. Sidwell shot it but Carew might have redirected it in. I just caught the tail end of the 1st half but apparently, according the announcers, Guzan has made several good saves preserving the lead for Villa. Sounds like he was strong all half. BTW, I have to praise O'Neil's choice of using Guzan for Cup and some UEFA Cup matches. Friedel obviously deserves to start the big matches but these matches will further develop Guzan and put him into some pressure situations.
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) From BBC: "Marek Jarolim drifts in between two Villa defenders in Prague but his low 15-yard shot is brilliantly saved down to his left by Brad Guzan."
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) Another start? I wasn't aware he had started any previous UEFA cup games.
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) The announcers a minute or so ago said "It is going to take something special to beat Guzan today". That's the ringing endorsement I like to hear!!
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) Very nice save from Guzan in the 64th. Guzan got down well and made a nice spot, with what appeared to b,e his feet as the ball was shot near his ankles tas the shooter tried to go underneath him. Guzan made himself big and once again prevented a goal.
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) Brad was just introduced to the referee's book as he picked up a yellow for time wasting. Not a bad idea, slows down the momentum Slavia has and plus he isn't likely to get many game where it matter if the caution carries over. The commentators throughout the game have been gushing over Guzan's play today and mentioning over and over his bright future.
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) FT, 1-nil Villa Guzan getting great marks for helping them to a big win in their group
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) Ends 1-0 Guzan with an away clean sheet, and 16 shots(9 on goal), pretty impressive if you ask me.
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) I guess I got it confused with that FA Cup or some other cup match Bradley Guzan started.
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) From the BBC text, posted by a TFC fan: "Guzan was at Chivas USA in MLS before he joined Villa. I have season tickets to Toronto FC in MLS and follow the league closely. Guzan is pants, and way out of his depth. He'll be back in MLS within 18 months. Fact." Gotta love those TFC fans. They know pants when they see it (them?).
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) ha, nice little interview, even though he said nothing interesting at all. Best part was when Sidwell was being interviewed and the Prague fans started screaming, he looked like something just jumped into his pants. He's not used to that wherever he's been.
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) FT 1-0 Villa I watched 70 minutes and without a doubt Guzan was MOTM. He was very impressive. He was strong and commanding in gathering his crosses, appeared to be vocal and directing his backline, and above all made a handful of very good saves. This was a great introduction to European football for Guzan. O'Neill deserves a ton of credit for throwing him out there. This was a big win for Villa. It is extremely tough for anyone, no matter your name or what league you are from, to get a result at Slavia. The Slavia fans always present a boisterous and hostile atmosphere. Slavia put Villa on their backfoot all the second half and they were unlucky not to draw level. Guzan was a big reason the didn't level. BTW, I still have the game up and just heard Guzan interviewed. He could barely contain his smile. He credited his back four and mentioned that he has to show well in every opportunity he gets. Well spoken and humble. Friedel it appears is having a very good effect on Guzan. But thank the Lord Guzan hasn't picked up the accent. Yet.........
Re: Guzan (Friedel too): Villa v Slavia UEFA Cup (R) He's Canadian the cold severely dilutes and prevents any rational thought to be transmitted by the brain. I think there are some studies out there saying it affects nearly 90% of the Canadian population in some way, shape, or form. It might not be obvious to the naked eye but the studies showed mild, if not severe cases, in those 90% tested. I am not sure of the scientific/medical name of the disease but its nickname is " FucaDumbCanuck" disease.
Great to hear that Guzan had a strong performance today. Gotta keep that track record for American 'keepers going strong.
I just got back from the game and there was no question that Guzan was MOTM. He was defending the goal at our supporters end in the second half, while Slavia was dominating, so I got to see him up close while he was under pressure. It wasn't that he was making acrobatic saves or anything like that, but his positioning was flawless. The Villa defense broke down a number of times but he was always positioned perfectly to make himself a big target when a Slavia striker would break in, usually at an angle to goal. Considering how young he still is, I found that to be particularly impressive. But he definitely deserved the card for time wasting. After about the fourth time he did it, the ref finally had enough.
Lots and lots of praise for Guzan here: http://www.villatalk.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=45887&postdays=0&postorder=asc
I'm not quite clear why Guzan got the run out over Friedel but I'm all about it at the same time: love to see Guzan get the away clean sheet in a tough atmosphere for his club. Good news.