As Atlanta United and MLS develop deeper knowledge and use of data analytics, we’ll be taking a look behind the curtain at some of the specific stats the club values. In our new weekly content series, we examine one metric provided by StatsBomb that may not stand out on a first watch, but upon closer evaluation, is a useful tool to measure the team’s performance. This is Staying on Track presented by MARTA.
Brad Guzan looks pretty good for his age.
The 2024 season, especially the latter half, has been memorable for the goalkeeper, and not just because in that time frame he hit the 40-year birthday milestone. Atlanta United’s captain has also had one of the strongest seasons in his long tenured playing career. Just two seasons away from the first major surgery of his career when he ruptured his Achilles tendon, Guzan is putting together an incredible performance at a time when most players would’ve hung up their boots.
Guzan ranks toward the top in several goalkeeping categories. Since Leagues Cup, he’s been the second-best goalkeeper in Major League Soccer. His goals saved above average, a statistic we looked at previously which measures a goalkeeper’s ability to stop high probability shots, is 3.3 above average. In the regular season, Guzan tallied 113 total saves, ranked seventh in MLS.
This year, Guzan has been exceptional when it comes to saving penalty kicks – and Atlanta United has found themselves in a few of those situations in 2024. Most recently, Guzan stopped a shot in the penalty kick shootout against CF Montréal in the Eastern Conference Wild Card game. His save was the difference and allowed Atlanta to win the shootout 5-4, booking Atlanta’s ticket to the Round One matches against 1-seed Inter Miami CF.
The PK save against Montréal was the fourth for Guzan on the season, breaking the previous record of three. Adding that to the three PK saves backup goalkeeper Josh Cohen has made this season, the total for the club is seven on the season.
Considering that each penalty kick has a 78 percent chance of going in, that’s a very strong number for Atlanta United goalkeepers.
Guzan’s Penalty Kick Saves in 2024:
- February 24 vs. Columbus Crew attempted by Cucho Hernández in the 54th minute
- August 24 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy attempted by Joseph Paintsil in the 67th minute
- September 21 vs. New York Red Bulls attempted by Elias Manoel in the 87th minute
- October 22 vs. CF Montréal attempted by Tom Pearce in a penalty kick shootout in the Eastern Conference Wild Card match
The penalty kick save also came at a massive moment. Montréal climbed back from their 2-0 deficit in the second half and scored twice to level the match. One of the goals Atlanta conceded was from a mishandled ball that got away from Guzan right at the goal line and Montréal capitalized.
A mistake like that might linger in the mind of a goalkeeper younger or less experienced, but Guzan’s mental strength and resilience allowed him to bounce back in a big way and make the stop that put Atlanta United through to next round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Analyst Andrew Wiebe, who named Guzan the Star of the Day on the post-match show on MLS Season Pass on Apple, had this to stay about the Atlanta United goalie:
“Brad Guzan is that steady presence. He’s the heart and the soul of the club that connects you to the past. He takes responsibility because that’s who he is, because that’s what he’s earned within that locker room.”
Guzan has certainly earned the respect of his teammates. When asked which player helps them the most or gives them the best advice, most Atlanta United players – veterans, young players, and new players alike – usually answer with Guzan’s name. He’s long been the big, bald wall defending Atlanta’s net, shouting instructions, being the leader and liaison between the coaching staff on the sideline and the players on the field.
Following each of the previous two games, Atlanta’s center back pairing, the two who arguably work most closely with Guzan, spoke highly of their goalkeeper.
"He's a perfect captain for the team," said Stian Gregersen, one of the goal scorers Tuesday night. "He speaks a lot, gives good advice, he has a lot of experience, always has energy everyday, in training and in matches also."
"He's massive. He's Mr. Atlanta United," center back Derrick Williams said following Decision Day. "You should see the stuff he does behind closed doors. He's constantly talking, constantly encouraging, shouting, massive. I think he came out and caught a few that really took the pressure off. I'm happy for him."
Watch all of Guzan's penalty kick saves in 2024:
Atlanta United's Data Scientist & Analyst Arjun Balaraman contributed to this video. Video by Khoury Kennedy, Atlanta United's Motion Graphics Producer and Video Editor.
