US MNT TIGER TRAINER – GOALKEEPER COACH ZAK ABDEL

Nationwide and even worldwide professional goalkeepers from the United States have the attention and respect of the professional soccer world. Names like Brad Guzan, 2007 MLS goalkeeper of the year (recently offered a place on top flight English Premier League Arsenal’s roster), Kevin Hartman, MLS’ all-time leader in Goals Against Average (GAA), most career shut outs, Matt Reis considered to be one of the top goalkeepers in the league (voted to Soccer America’s 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs Best XI) are widely known and well respected.

Less widely known, however, is Zak Abel the Egyptian native with a knack for spotting rising talent, developing it or both when it comes to goalkeepers. Zak has spent significant time with Guzan, Hartman and Reis during their respective rises to fame (if not fortune) tending the net for their respective clubs and country.

Warm hearted and enthusiastic about all things soccer, Zak also brings an incredible work ethic to the table with respect to his keeper training. During his workweek Zak leaves his wife Mercedes and two sons Eslam and Joesph around 4:30 a.m. and is not home again until 11 p.m. In addition to training professional soccer teams (including MLS LA Galaxy and most recently Chivas USA) Zak also trains local youth clubs and programs around the Southern California area.

Born in Mehalla, Egypt on July 20, 1961 Zak played goalkeeper for Mehalla of the Egyptian first division for sixteen years. Earlier in his soccer career he played for his native country of Egypt with their U14, U16, U17 and U20 teams.

Zak Abdel says he has dreamed of one day coaching the US MNT as the US MNT Goalkeeper Coach. That dream began in January 2008 with a shut out victory against formidable European opponent Sweden. Brad Guzan’s recent shut out of the Swedish National Team at the Home Depot Center by Bob Bradley’s young guns is a testament to Zak’s training investment in a willing and able student like Brad Guzan.

The swiftness and decisive responses of Guzan in playing surprise balls out of harms way with his chest, hands or feet are a signature trademark of Zak’s training. Kevin Hartman, nicknamed El Gato for his cat like reflex and response while minding net, recalls the same sage advice Zak has shared with Guzan who used it to perfection in the clean sheet against Sweden – “When you Go - Go Like a Tiger.”

Next time you see or celebrate another save from the likes of Brad Guzan, Kevin Hartman, or Matt Reiss look for the man who trained those tigers – the proud husband and father of two wearing the US Soccer baseball cap sitting next to Bob Bradley as the US MNT continues taking American Soccer upward and onward.

Staff Editorial Sports Page Soccer Magazine