Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan was in an understanding mood Monday as the team opened its training camp for the season.
He said he understood why Aron Hyde, the team’s goalkeepers coach for the past three seasons, left to take the same position with the U.S. men’s national team.
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“Hopefully I’ll get to see him a bit over the next couple of years,” Guzan said. “It’s a great opportunity when you look at what that position actually is. It’s the highest position in this country for goalkeeper coaches.
He gets to be the top dog. He puts in the work. He fully deserves it. I think he’s a great goalkeeper coach.”
Credit: Alyssa Pointer
Credit: Alyssa Pointer
Guzan said he understands that, while he has had input on who will take over that job, the final call on the hire will be made by the front office. Vice president Carlos Bocanegra said last week that they hope to make the hire soon.
“I think we have a good group of goalkeepers, how we work, how we go about our business on a daily basis, push each other and make each other better,” Guzan said.
Guzan said he understands why the front office denied requests from the U.S. men’s national team and the Argentina U23 team to call up some of Atlanta United’s players.
“It is what it is,” he said. “It’s not a FIFA window. I understand the club’s point of view. Of course it’s always and honor and privilege when you are involved with the national team, when you are in a training camp, something like a January camp when you are together for a significant amount of time you are able to get a lot of work done.
“Unfortunately, we do miss out on that side of it. But I understand why the club said no and what we are trying to do here. It’s important that we maximize every day and that we are together here to make sure that come that game in Honduras we are ready.”
