The Sounders Thursday added as an assistant coach Ante Razov, who spent 14 years (1996-09) with the Chicago Fire and Chivas USA. As a player, Razov ranks fourth all-time in MLS scoring with 114 goals, scoring 76 with the Fire to become the club’s all-time leading scorer with 76 goals. He also won an MLS Cup (1998) and U.S. Open Cups three times (1998, 2000, 2003).
In 2000, Razov scored 18 goals, and in 2003 earned MLS Best XI honors after recording 14 goals and six assists in 26 appearances.
“We’re excited to have Ante join our staff,” said coach Sigi Schmid. “He brings a unique perspective based upon his years of experience in our league, and being one of the top forwards in MLS. I think he’s a great addition for our club and our young forwards as they continue to grow.”
An MLS original, Razov was drafted in the third round of the 1996 MLS draft by the LA Galaxy and scored one goal in six appearances over two seasons. Razov also spent a brief period in 2000-01 with Racing de Ferrol in the Spanish Second Division, scoring seven goals in 19 appearances.
After spending 2005 with the Columbus Crew and New York MetroStars, Razov signed with Chivas USA in 2006, where he spent the final four seasons of his career. The Whittier, CA., native scored 30 goals in 76 appearances from 2006-09, helping the Goats to the playoffs each year from 2006-08.
Razov ranks fourth in MLS history with 114 goals and 18th all-time with 66 assists across 262 appearances. He ranks fifth all-time with 11 goals and 10 assists in the postseason, where his 35 appearances are ninth in MLS Cup playoffs action.
“This is a fantastic opportunity and I’m thrilled beyond words,” Razov said. “I’ve known Sigi since I was 15 years old, so there’s a familiarity there. An opportunity to join a massive club like Seattle is exciting and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Razov has been capped 25 times by the U.S. Men’s National Team, scoring six goals and helping the USA to the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup title. His first USMNT cap came in 1995 against Uruguay while still in college at UCLA.