Football
Associated Press 8y

Brad Guzan to decide on his future with Aston Villa after Copa America

United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan says any decision about his future at Aston Villa will wait until after the Copa America.

Guzan spoke during an off day in Seattle as the U.S. awaited Thursday's quarterfinal against Ecuador.

The 31-year-old, who has been starting over Tim Howard in the U.S. goal, had consecutive shutouts last week in wins over Costa Rica and Paraguay that closed group play.

"Clean sheets are nice," Guzan said. "It's an added bonus to the hard work the guys in front of me put in for 90 minutes, but I think more important than the clean sheet is the performance and for the last few games the performance has been really good."

Guzan has started seven straight matches for the U.S. While his place on the national team is secure, his club future is uncertain.

He fell out of favor at Aston Villa this season after being the starter there since 2012. He lost his starting job to Mark Bunn in January, regained it in late March, then lost it again in late April as the Villans headed toward a last-place finish and relegation to the Championship.

Guzan says the decision isn't entirely his. He has one-year remaining on his contract at Villa.

"Essentially it's not completely in my hands. I said when I first met up with the national team that when I got on the plane from London to fly to Miami to meet up with the U.S. team my focus was completely here and on the [Copa]," Guzan said.

"That continues to be the case. At some point when this tournament is finished for us, I'll speak to them in terms of when I have to go back for preseason or not. I'm sure it will be somewhat of a quick turnaround, but at that point I'll turn my focus to my club situation and see what they want to do, and what I want to do and go from there."

Guzan played for an Aston Villa team who gave up a league-high 76 goals and won just three times in 38 games, resulting in what will be a first season in the second tier since 1987-88.

For now, Guzan's attention is on the opportunity that stands in front of the Americans and the chance of reaching the semifinals after having limited expectations of advancing from their group.

The U.S. beat Ecuador 1-0 with both teams using somewhat depleted rosters during a Copa America warm-up last month.

"For us it was always important to try and get out of the group first, and once you get out of the group it's like a whole new tournament starts," Guzan said.

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