CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA Head Coach Preki Radosavljevic, who in his first year as a manager led the Red-and-White to a 15-7-8 record (W-L-T) and first place in Major League Soccer's Western Conference, was today named MLS Coach of the Year for 2007. The prestigious award, determined by voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers, marks the second consecutive year that a Chivas USA manager has taken home Coach of the Year honors, following Bob Bradley's win in 2006.
"It's a great honor to be named MLS Coach of the Year," said Preki. "However, I know I speak on behalf of our coaching staff, our players, our fans, and the entire Chivas USA organization - with whom I share this award - when I say I would trade it in a heartbeat for another shot at a championship this year. With that in mind, Chivas USA has already begun our preparations for 2008, when we hope to reach new heights in MLS, SuperLiga and the U.S. Open Cup."
In his first season as a head coach, Preki (full name: Predrag Radosavljevic), led Chivas USA to its best finish in the club's three-year history. Chivas USA finished at the top of the Western Conference and was just two points behind D.C. United in the race for the Supporters' Shield. The Western Conference leaders lost only one home game at The Home Depot Center all season, while posting a league-leading 10-1-4 home record and allowing an all-time MLS low 8 goals at home.
The 44-year-old Preki, who spent the 2006 season with Chivas USA as an assistant under current U.S. National Team coach Bob Bradley, is the only two-time MLS Most Valuable Player to date. He was an eight-time MLS All-Star and is one of the most celebrated players in MLS history. Preki has been a part of MLS since its inception in 1996, playing ten seasons and earning a spot in the top ten all-time in career goals (79), assists (112), and shots on goal (323).
Born in Belgrade, of the former Yugoslavia, Preki became a U.S. citizen prior to the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where he represented the United States. He took over the Chivas USA in January 2007, after Bradley left to become the U.S. Men's National Team coach. In 2006, Chivas USA finished third in the Western Conference with a 10-9-13 record. Preki led this season's Coach of the Year voting over Houston's Dominic Kinnear and D.C. United's Tom Soehn.
MLS Coach of the Year Winners:
2007: Preki - Chivas USA
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
Chivas USA's MLS Year-End Award Winners:
2007: Preki - MLS Coach of the Year
2007: Brad Guzan - Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year
2006: Bob Bradley - MLS Coach of the Year
2006: Jonathan Bornstein - Gatorade Rookie of the Year
