CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA Head Coach Bob Bradley, the winningest coach in Major League Soccer history, was today named MLS Coach of the Year, becoming the first two-time winner of the award. Bradley joins Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein in claiming year-end honors, as Bornstein was today named 2006 Gatorade Rookie of the Year.
"This award is representative of the effort of everyone in our organization to improve following Chivas USA's first season. It belongs to the entire coaching staff and I would especially like to thank Martín Vásquez, Preki and Zak Abdel for their excellent work and commitment," said Bradley.
Under Bradley's guidance, Chivas USA finished third in the Western Conference regular-season standings, with a 10-9-13 record, claiming a berth in the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs in the Mexican-owned club's second year of existence after finishing last in the Western Conference with a record of 4-22-6, in 2005, the team's inaugural year, marking a 25-point turnaround. In 2006, Chivas USA finished among the top three in MLS in goals scored (45), assists (44) and shots on goal (174).
"Bob Bradley has been a tremendous asset to Chivas USA in our second year," said Chivas USA Senior Vice President and General Manager Whit Haskel. "Bob brings a deep passion for the game, combined with an ability to get the very best out of his players. Our fans can be proud of the exciting soccer played by Chivas USA this season and the renewed promise of great things to come."
Bradley's teams have qualified for the playoffs in every season of his nine-year MLS head-coaching career. Bradley also won Coach of the Year honors in 1998 when he led the Chicago Fire to the MLS Cup championship in its inaugural season, making the 48-year-old Montclair, New Jersey native the first two-time winner of MLS's top coaching honors. Bradley led the voting ahead of D.C. United's Peter Nowak and the Chicago Fire's Dave Sarachan.
The MLS Coach of the Year winner was determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.
MLS Coach of the Year Winners:
2006: Bob Bradley - Chivas USA
2005: Dominic Kinnear - San Jose Earthquakes
2004: Greg Andrulis - Columbus Crew
2003: Dave Sarachan - Chicago Fire
2002: Steve Nicol - New England Revolution
2001: Frank Yallop - San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Bob Gansler - Kansas City Wizards
1999: Sigi Schmid - Los Angeles Galaxy
1998: Bob Bradley - Chicago Fire
1997: Bruce Arena - D.C. United
1996: Thomas Rongen - Tampa Bay Mutiny
