Alas, Hull City's season has come to an end. Not with a bang. Not even with a whimper. It just came to an end.
Teasing us fans through the second half of the season, Hull mounted a spirited charge toward the playoff zone. The last time they were there in 2008, Dean Windass rifled home a shot from 22 yards out against Bristol City and propelled the Tigers into the Premiership. It was the culmination to an unthinkable Cinderella story. This team of overachievers advancing 4 divisions in four years to the very height of world football. Relegation came soon enough. Back to the Championship and, at least in the beginning, a struggle to maintain even that ranking.
But then it all turned around. Why? As a former goalie, I can offer a theory.
Brad Guzan.
Given my position on the field and in the geographical scheme of things, I've always been partial to the stories of American keepers and their successes in England. Brad Friedel. Kasey Keller. Tim Howard. Hull's own Boaz Myhill (actually born in California but, since the age of one, lived his entire life in Great Britain) All have earned international fame on the pitch "over there".
And then there was Brad Guzan. Loaned to Hull from Aston Villa, the Illinois native anchored a rejuvinated squad that challenged for promotion and brought excitment back to Tiger Stadium. From December 2010 until April 2011, Hull climbed steadily. Unfortunately, Guzan had to go back. The loan, initally for one month, had strecthed into four months and had finally run out. Hull managed a mere point in it's next two matches, eliminating it from the playoffs. If he plays the whole season, it could have been quite a bit different.
Nothing I say here is based on fact. It is my opinion based on news accounts and a general feeling of one who will always be a Hull City fan.
One thing's for certain though. If Hull is getting back to the Premier, they are going to have to do better than Matt Duke, who is, himself, a very fine goalie. Just not in a league with Brad Guzan. Hull has Premiership level talent over most of the field. I hope next season sees an upgrade in the net.
