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ROAD TO RECOVERY

The Return of Charlotte FC's Guzmán Corujo

By Charlotte FC

June 15^th, 2023

THE START

SEPTEMBER 2021: GUZMÁN CORUJO JOINS CHARLOTTE FC FROM NACIONAL AS THE SEVENTH-EVER SIGNING FOR THE CLUB.

Playing an aggressive defensive style requires central defenders that have a combination of athleticism, aggressiveness, and good defensive positioning. Guzmán possesses all three of these elements in his game. In his own words, he describes himself as “enfermo por ganar” which literally translates to “I’m sick to win.” It is a saying that is used in Latin countries to describe someone who hates losing and just wants to win.

CHARLOTTE FC'S INAUGURAL SEASON

Guz quickly became a fan favorite and a key leader of the newest squad in MLS, the only outfield player to start every match up until August 2022. The Uruguayan scored one goal and helped anchor a defense that kept seven clean sheets through 25 matches. From the beginning, Corujo stressed the importance of the team showing up to compete and the fan support playing a crucial factor in earning all three points.

THE INJURY

August 6, 2022: Guzmán tears his ACL during the Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire match. This loss was costly for The Crown, but Christian Lattanzio emphasized the Uruguayan would still have a leadership role within the team.

“We want to support him as much as we can in many different ways. He still is an important part of our team, even though he will be more occupied with his recovery. For me, he is an important person before that to help us develop our team. So, I will want him to be very close to us to help us to look at the defensive side of the game even though he will not be able to take part." - Christian Lattanzio

THE RECOVERY

After a successful ACL reconstruction surgery, Charlotte FC's star defender was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Rehab is never easy, but Guz was determined to fight as hard as he could to build back his strength as he treated his recovery as a new challenge.

THE PROGRESS

From preseason training with First Team to playing on Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte FC's MLS NEXT Pro team, Guz began making strides towards returning to the First Team.

“I'm eager to recover and return to be available to the coach and to make an impact wherever I can to help out the team." - Guzman Corujo

CROWN LEGACY FC

Guz took the pitch for the first time since August in the Starting XI for Crown Legacy FC, where the team went on to beat Philadelphia Union II 4-2 in PKs.

LA GALAXY v CHARLOTTE FC

Reunited with First Team, traveling for the first time since the injury as Charlotte FC head to LA.

"He is an important player and an important person before that to help us to develop our team. For us it's important to have on the bench at least, it's going to give us something more" - Christian Lattanzio

THE RETURN

PHILADELPHIA UNION v CHARLOTTE FC

Back in blue with his teammates, Guz took the pitch for the first time again 10 months after his injury.

HOME SWEET HOME

Corujo made his first roster selection at home since the injury in August of 2022. An important final step in his recovery that was celebrated with training staff and a couple pops of champagne. Welcome home, Guz.

"We know he's a very brave player. He has the heart. We know we have him back and is going to be a little bit sharper as the weeks go on." - Christian Lattanzio

It was a long road, but this was never a set back for Guz, just another challenge in his journey.

"You can expect to see the same Guzmán Corujo as always. For me, I don't have another way of playing soccer. For me, it's about leaving everything I have, play with heart and provide 100 percent for my teammates in each ball, to defend the teammate beside me, and leave everything I have on that pitch... It will be the same player as last season." - Guzmán Corujo

Footnotes

Photos by Taylor Banner, Alana McCallion, Elizabeth Otten, Krista Jasso, Laura Wolff, & Bryce France. Graphics by Ryland Tunney. Video by Ian Kunsey. Story by Caleb Adams, Eric Hansen, and Anna Magee.

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