Ana Guzmán speaks about her career and how it has taken her to Bayern and now to the NWSL.
At just 19-years old, Ana Guzmán has a lot of professional experience under her belt. She is on loan this season with the Utah Royals of the NWSL — who just happens to be my local club. I had the opportunity to meet Ana and interview her about her career, her injury comeback, and her goals for the future.
Note: This interview took place before the Royals season opener on March 15. Guzmán was unavailable with a thigh injury. Special thanks to the Royals staff for organizing this interview and for providing a Spanish-speaking interpreter and — of course — to Ana for taking the time after practice.
Bavarian Football Works: Tell me a little bit about what’s led up to your career and how you went from playing in South America, and now, what led you to Bayern?
Ana Guzmán: So, I started at that Deportivo Pereira in Colombia, and I played for their youth teams, and then I was scouted by the national team where I also afterwards played with New Zealand and Bayern Munich just kind of had me in their sights, and that’s how they kind of got to me.
BFW: And how was the culture change between playing in Colombia, and then in Germany for Bayern?
AG: It was definitely a very difficult process. You know, going to a new country at 17-years-old by yourself, it’s something that’s very difficult. And then just a month in when I played for the national team injuring my knee and I was out for a year, it was definitely a very difficult process.
BFW: How has the injury comeback been? Mentally, how are you able to come back from that? And now to play at a high level for the national team again?
AG: I’m definitely feeling much better, I’m ready to really give it my all and you know, mentally and physically and emotionally. I’m definitely in a much better place, much happier playing the game and I just want to be out there and really give my everything to the team.
BFW: How was it being back with the national team at the She Believes Cup last week?
AG: It’s a source of great pride and enjoyment, you know, being called up for the national team, it’s an honor to be a to be called up and to be considered to play with the team. So, it’s definitely a great social prize.
BFW: So now you’ve moved from Colombia and then to Germany and then now you’re in Utah, how has that change been in such a short time?
AG: So these things can definitely be temporary, but it was important for me, and for my career to be presented with this opportunity and after the injury to be able to play for a new team. Now here in Utah, there are all those good experiences.
BFW: Overall, how do you like Utah so far, both, not just Utah in general, but also the team aspect and getting ready to go into the season.
AG: It’s definitely been a big change and it’s been amazing to get to know the players and the mentality has just been different. The players are just a lot happier to be here and to, you know, to be involved, so it’s definitely been something that’s really enjoyable for me.
BFW: Lastly, what are some goals that you have while you’re here on this loan spell?
AG: I want to get back to my best football and I’ve made a lot of personal goals for myself to be able to get back to where I was prior to the injury. And collectively, I want to continue to win games and bring important victories, and hopefully trophies to this team and club.
