Chivas USA Signs Defender Alex Zotinca

Published on June 4, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Friday, June 4, 2010) - Chivas USA announced on Friday that it has signed defender Alex Zotinca, an MLS veteran who previously played for Chivas USA from 2007-2008. Zotinca, 33, has played in six MLS seasons and previously played for Steaua Bucharest in his native Romania. An American citizen, Zotinca will occupy a senior roster spot; per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Alex is an experienced, versatile player, and over the last couple months he has shown us his talent," said Chivas USA Head Coach Martín Vásquez. "He has been with the team before and has plenty of experience in MLS that will definitely help us moving forward. We are pleased to welcome him back to our roster."

Zotinca first joined Chivas USA in 2007 after a trade with the Kansas City Wizards, and played 22 matches (20 starts) for the club in his first season with the club, notching three assists. In 2008, he suffered a partial tear in the ACL of his right knee and missed most of the season, but returned to make four regular season appearances to help the team into the playoffs, where he played in both games. Prior to joining the Red-and-White, the defender made 85 appearances (62 starts) for the Kansas City Wizards, scoring three goals and adding two assists.

Born on January 22, 1977 in the city of Sibiu, in central Romania, Zotinca began his career with his hometown team, FC Inter Sibiu, where he played from 1995 to 1998, before moving to Romanian powerhouse Steaua Bucharest, where from 1998-2000 Zotinca played in the UEFA Cup (1999) and helped the team claim the 1999 Romanian Cup. In 2000, he moved to the United States, where he would play four years with the Kansas City Comets (2000-2003) of the Major Indoor Soccer League, before being signed by the Kansas City Wizards in 2003.

Chivas USA will face the New York Red Bulls tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) in a match that will be broadcast live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español. After a three-week break for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the Red-and-White will return home on Saturday, June 26 when the team hosts FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit cdchivasusa.com or call 1-877-CHIVAS-1.

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