Guzan has yet to make an appearance in a Premier League game, but he got the start earlier this month in Villa's 1-0 victory over Slavia Prague in the UEFA Cup. He made a couple of nice saves, including one on a low shot by Jaroslav Cerny, prompting O'Neill to call him "a great goalkeeper in the making'' afterward.

Guzan also started for the United States in last week's World Cup qualifier, notching his fourth shutout this year. Three of those came in World Cup qualifying.

"All American goalkeepers are good shot blockers. It's an issue of learning your positioning, your angles,'' Arena said. "More importantly, it's how you organize the players in front of you. When you watch a player with all the experience Brad has, (Guzan) can only learn from that.''

Though Friedel didn't know much about Guzan until he got to England — Friedel hasn't played for the U.S. team since 2004 — and the two are 13 years apart, they have quickly developed an easy rapport. When Friedel needles Guzan about his loud voice or hairline, Guzan simply smiles or dishes it right back.

While some veterans might feel threatened by a player whose sole aim is to take their job, Friedel is not. He helps his younger teammate however he can, on and the off the field, knowing that the better Guzan becomes, the better it is for American soccer.

"The situation I'm is kind of a unique situation, and it's a good situation to be in,'' Guzan said. "With the experience he brings to the table and the experience he's had throughout his career and just knowing a fellow American is over there, it made me feel good.

"To be able to pick his brain and work with him day in and day out, it's been absolutely fantastic.''

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