Chivas USA Announces 2009 Team Award Winners

Published on October 25, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009) - Ahead of next Sunday's first-ever Playoff Super Clásico between Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy, the Red-and-White announced today its 2009 Season Ending Award Winners. Goalkeeper Zach Thornton led the way, being named the team's Most Valuable Player, while Jonathan Bornstein earned Defender of the Year honors. Claudio Suárez won the 'Spirit of Chivas USA' award for the second straight year, while Jesse Marsch was named the club's Humanitarian of the Year and Eduardo Lillingston won the team's Budweiser Golden Boot, leading the team with eight goals.

All four players were honored on the field prior to Chivas USA's final regular season match today against the Houston Dynamo. The award for Suárez was his fourth consecutive prize, as he won the team's Defender of the Year in 2006 and 2007, and has since captured two straight 'Spirit of Chivas USA' awards. Zach Thornton finished the season with a stunning 0.87 goals against average and 12 shutouts, and joins the elite company of Ram=F3n Ram=EDrez (2005), Ante Razov (2006), Brad Guzan (2007) and Sacha Kljestan (2008) as Chivas USA's Most Valuable Player. Eduardo Lillingston scored on Sunday to add to his team leading goal tally, scoring his eight goal to earn the Golden Boot. Below is a complete list of Chivas USA's Team Award Winners, along with player-by-player capsules. Chivas USA hosts the LA Galaxy in the first-ever Playoff Super Clásico next Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2:00 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center; tickets are on sale starting at just $15 by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visiting cdchivasusa.com .

Chivas USA 2009 Team Award Winners

Most Valuable Player: Zach Thornton. Thornton, one of the top goalkeepers in league history, has enjoyed possibly the best season of his storied MLS career, and is also a candidate for MLS awards including Goalkeeper of the Year, Comeback Player, and Volkswagen Most Valuable Player. Thornton's offseason work helped Chivas USA to a 7-1-1 start to the season, as he gave up just three goals in the first nine games. After his sixth All-Star team nomination mid-year, Thornton has maintained his form, and finished the season leading MLS in goals against average, with a miniscule 0.87 mark, as well as shutouts, with 12. With his trademark athleticism and commanding presence in the box, Thornton has made big saves time and again for the Red-and-White, helping Chivas USA make its fourth consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs.

Defender of the Year: Jonathan Bornstein. Throughout the 2009 season, Jonathan Bornstein has maintained the form that has made him one of the top players in the league, continued the fine sportsmanship that has become a trademark in his four years in the league. Bornstein has demonstrated both his skill, versatility and durability this year, splitting time between left back and center back and playing every minute of the 25 matches he has started (missing four games due to time with the United States National Team). In addition to his leadership on one of the top defenses in the league, Bornstein has continued his fair play, committing just 15 fouls, or an average of one every 150 minutes.

Spirit of Chivas USA: Claudio Suárez. Awarded to the player "who best represents the spirit of Chivas USA", Claudio Suárez continues to demonstrate his importance to the team as a leader both on and off the field. When on the field, Suárez serves as the club's captain, and leads by example both in games and on the training fields. Always quick to lend a hand to charitable causes, Suárez is a respected voice for players, coaches, media and fans around Southern California and beyond. While his playing time was limited due to injuries this season, Mexico's all-time leader in appearances with the national team continues to show his worth to the club, playing 5 games (1 start) and leading the club in September's ChivaClásico against Chivas de Guadalajara. A legend in Mexico and MLS, Suárez truly represents the spirit of Chivas USA.

Humanitarian of the Year: Jesse Marsch. Jesse Marsch is Chivas USA's 2009 U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year due to his active role with a number of great causes, leadership in the community, and generosity with his time. The Chivas USA captain was a spokesperson for the club in the 'Celebrate Hope' campaign, a partnership between Chivas USA and City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. The MLS Original midfielder also visited local schools for different purposes, helping encourage participation in after-school activities in a partnership with Team Prime Time, and also encouraging student activity in the emergency preparedness program 'Just Be Ready: Prepare Together'. Marsch, who has three children of his own, was also active with youth soccer, taking part in a 'Chivas at the Park' youth clinic, as well as making appearances at AYSO events in Southern California.

Budweiser Golden Boot: Eduardo Lillingston. In just his first season with Chivas USA, veteran Mexican forward Eduardo Lillingston has made his presence felt, scoring eight goals to win the team's Golden Boot. Lillingston notched his final tally on the last day of the regular season, finishing a penalty kick to ensure his award. The Guadalajara native also led the club with three game-winning goals, and also added a pair of assists to contribute to the team's offense. In second place in the competition was last year's winner, Sacha Kljestan, who matched his 2008 output with five goals on the season.

Chivas USA Team Award Winners Year-by-Year

Most Valuable Player

2005: Ramon Ramirez

2006: Ante Razov

2007: Brad Guzan

2008: Sacha Kljestan

2009: Zach Thornton

Defender of the Year

2005: Brad Guzan

2006: Claudio Suárez

2007: Claudio Suárez

2008: Paulo Nagamura

2009: Jonathan Bornstein

Spirit of Chivas USA Award

2005: Ramon Ramirez

2006: Francisco Mendoza

2007: Jesse Marsch

2008: Claudio Suárez

2009: Claudio Suárez

U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year

2005: Ezra Hendrickson

2006: Tim Regan

2007: Brad Guzan

2008: Jonathan Bornstein

2009: Jesse Marsch

Budweiser Golden Boot (# of goals)

2005: Héctor Cuadros (4)

2006: Ante Razov (14)

2007: Maykel Galindo (12)

2008: Sacha Kljestan (5)

2009: Eduardo Lillingston (8)

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 25, 2009


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