CARSON, Calif. – Kevin Guppy’s fulltime job is to be ready.
As an MLS League Pool goalkeeper, the Fullerton, Calif., native is on-call at all times for any team that needs a ‘keeper. He could be in Chicago one day, and Toronto the next. But for the last few weeks, he’s been in Los Angeles, serving as a backup for Chivas USA.
“The guys here are great and the coaches are really encouraging,” said Guppy of training with Chivas USA. “They say a lot of good things. I’m really enjoying it.”
Guppy has been with the Red-and-White since the beginning of May, when he was called up by the Red-and-White to replace injured backup Dan Kennedy. He has been on the Goats’ game roster for each match since, providing insurance in case Goats’ starter Zach Thornton goes down.
“Now that I’m with Chivas for a while, I do everything that their other goalkeepers do,” said Guppy. “I go to the same things that they go to and I train day in and day out. I have to be ready at all times to step in if they need me.”
When he’s not on assignment with a specific team, Guppy usually trains with the LA Galaxy – a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates at each club.
“I’m getting flak from both teams right now,” said Guppy with a smile. “Each club calls the other, ‘The Dark Side.’ I go into the Galaxy locker room, and they call me a traitor. I hear the same thing from the Chivas locker room. It’s pretty funny.”
Guppy got his start at Cal State Northridge in 2005, where he went on to be a four-year starter and a four-year recipient of All-Big West Honors. He then made the jump to MLS.
“The Galaxy called me up last year for a couple of practices, and they were able to talk to the league and get me a spot as a pool goalkeeper,” said Guppy. “They vouched for me, and it all worked out.”
At just 23 years old, Guppy has a potentially long career in front of him as a goalkeeper. But for now, he’s just working on staying fit and helping Chivas USA whenever he can.
“Ultimately, I’d like to get a roster spot somewhere and compete for a starting position,” said Guppy. “Being with Chivas is good – it’s good exposure. I’m still young and I have a lot of years ahead of me as a goalkeeper.”
