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Former T-Bred lands on Major League soccer roster
5/12/2008 11:45 PM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By KENTON MAKIN

Staff writer

Former University of South Carolina and South Aiken High School goalkeeper Michael Gustavson signed a developmental contract with Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes on April 30.

"I'm real happy about it," Gustavson said. "I'm glad that I got the opportunity to come and try out (during the preseason)."

Gustavson, who played at South Carolina for two seasons and helped South Aiken to the 2005 Class AAAA State Championship, will have a chance to learn from nine-year MLS veteran Joe Cannon and fellow Quake goalkeeper Preston Burpo.

"It's a huge opportunity," Gustavson said. "They've been around the league for a long time, and they help me out a lot in practice. Just to be able to watch them ... I'm enjoying it already."

During the 2006 season at USC, Gustavson went 11-5-1 as he started all 17 games. He posted 70 saves and six shutouts, and he boasted an impressive 1.09 goals against average.

He earned All-South Region and All-Conference USA First-Team honors, then later competed for the U.S. under-20 team and competed at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.

As a freshman at USC in 2005, Gustavson started all 21 matches in goal and earned conference freshman honors. He set a freshman record for saves with 88 and picked up four clean sheets in conference play.

For his accomplishments, he earned conference second-team honors, as well as the team's top defensive player honors and a selection to Top Drawer Soccer's All-Freshman team.

"I enjoyed my time at Carolina ... helped me get ready for (my career)," Gustavson said. "They taught me what I need to do to be a professional on and off the field."

Gustavson, who turned 20 in March, hopes to continue to advance his career, and is more concerned with keeping a solid work ethic as opposed to specific expectations.

"I'm young as far as goalkeepers go," Gustavson said. "I just want to continue on my career and do what's asked of me ... work hard every day, do what I can and learn from the guys."

Gustavson has heard from his prep coach, South Aiken's Paul Waters, who remains the varsity coach for the Thoroughbreds.

"We've spoken a couple of times," Gustavson said. "He said congrats ... and I think he wanted me to autograph some jerseys to hang up at the school," he added with a modest laugh.





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