(8 Minute Read)
Andrew Gutman is a professional soccer player and the current starting left-back for the Colorado Rapids in the MLS. Quickly impressing as a reliable defender at Indiana University in 2015, Gutman gained national recognition throughout his collegiate career and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, National Soccer Player of the Year, and won the Hermann Trophy in 2018, which is given to the top player for that given season (equivalent to the NCAA Football Heisman Trophy).
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Gutman last week to discuss his impressive accolades, playing for a variety of teams in a variety of cities over the course of his four year MLS career, and the progression of the MLS in regards to competition, culture, and international recognition.
Just a decade ago you were growing up in the suburbs of Chicago kicking a ball around in the backyard, now you are competing at the highest level domestically. What's it like playing in the MLS? Is it what you imagined it would be?
Andrew: Playing in the MLS is a dream come true. I remember growing up and going to Chicago Fire games and always wanting to be out on that field. There were points during my journey that I thought I wouldn’t make it but i never gave up. I always tried to train harder than everyone else. I always tried to run more and work harder in every game. Once I made it to the MLS I had a big wake up call; I had to learn that every day I needed to be good. I couldn’t have off days because when you are trying to establish yourself you need to show your quality every single day.
You have played with five total teams since joining the league. How has it been adapting to each new city, culture, team, and environment? Do you like the change?
Andrew: Playing for so many different teams is a bigger challenge than people think. Every team is so different and being able to adapt quickly will determine the success at the club. While I do not enjoy moving around so much, I have come to realize that not many players can do what I’ve done. Not many players can join a new team and be a starter from day 1. Not many players can adapt so quickly to the team, the city, the day to day life the way I do and have. I think it has been a blessing because it has brought out qualities that teams are looking for in players and it will only help prolong my career.
Celebrating a go-ahead goal scored during his time in Atlanta
In many of our conversations with professional athletes we have discussed the frequent travel, and ways to maintain definitive health and wellness while hopping from one city to the next. What are some ways you try stay healthy, both mentally and physically, when you are on the road?
Andrew: While traveling it is pretty easy to stay physically healthy. We are provided with healthy food and snacks whenever we need them. We are given countless options of supplements and other nutrients. That is never a problem for professional athletes. A problem is how do we stay mentally healthy. We are traveling so much, away from friends and family. I only see my family a few times a year which is really tough. My girlfriend and I don’t get to be normal people on weekends. The way I stay mentally healthy is finding a good balance between my private life and my professional life. I try to FaceTime my girlfriend a lot when I am on the road. It helps settle my mind and relax me. Additionally, when I am not at soccer i try not to talk about it. I try to separate Andrew the soccer player and Andrew the person. Learning things about myself outside of soccer has really helped my mental health.
The MLS has notably taken significant strides in recent years, adding six teams since 2019 and attracting the likes of soccer icons such as Lionel Messi. Where do you see the expansion of the league heading over the next 5 - 10 years?
Andrew: The MLS is going to explode. It is only a matter of time. The league has been cautious about how they grow and the future success, but once Messi came to MLS everything changed. The league now has a global presence that it didn't before. It will force the MLS to take MAJOR strides in the next few years. I think the quality of players will only continue to grow. The salary cap will increase faster than expected. You will see more young kids in America playing soccer now. I think within 10 years the MLS will be competing on the level of Germany, France, and Italy. It will take longer, but eventually it will be on the level of the Premier League. I have been lucky enough to see what it is like in both Europe and the MLS. The facilities, the stadium, the infrastructure within the MLS is far beyond what is in Europe. Players want to continue to come here, the MLS just needs to figure out how to make it all happen.
Connecting with soccer fans pre-game
We all have one or two notable travel stories we love to tell our friends and family. Can you share one memorable travel related story from your time in the MLS?
Andrew: One of my favorite travel memories was in 2021 when I was playing for the New York Red Bulls. We had a good group of guys. We all enjoyed hanging out together, especially on away trips. There were about 6-8 of us that would play cards for hours, whether it was on the plane, the bus, or the hotel. Cards was very competitive but it was also a good way for us to relax together and become closer as teammates but also as friends. The best part of it all was when we won games on the road we would all play cards on the plane ride home and have a drink or two. It became so popular that even our coaches would join the card games and occasionally have a drink with us. Moments like that are very rare in professional sports, and it is something that I am glad I was able to experience. Guys come from all over the world to play, different cultures, countries, backgrounds etc. I learned so much during those card games.
Short Responses
- Window or aisle? Aisle seat for sure, easy access to the snacks or bathroom.
- What do you typically do on the plane to pass the time? I mainly watch TV shows or movies on the plane or bus. Occasionally I will play cards but it depends on the team. (Some guys on teams enjoy cards more than others)
- What is your favorite stadium to play in? Favorite city to play in is Chicago, I always have a ton of friends and family come to the game. No better feeling than playing in the city you learned the game in.
- What is your least favorite ballpark to play in? Least favorite city to play in is Orlando, It is in the middle of Florida with nothing around it, and for some reason I always play there in the summer. It is so hot and humid. I just don’t enjoy it at all.
Solder Field in downtown Chicago, IL | Home of the Chicago Fire
Follow Andrew on Instagram (@andrewgutman3) and check out the remainder of the Colorado Rapid's schedule here.