The Seattle Sounders announced Thursday that the team has hired Ante Razov as an assistant. Razov spent 14 years in Major League Soccer from 1996-2009, including seven with the Chicago Fire and four with Chivas USA, and he ranks fourth all-time in MLS scoring with 114 goals to his name.
"We're excited to have Ante join our staff. He brings a unique perspective based upon his years of experience in our league, and being one of the top forwards in MLS," said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said in a statement. "I think he's a great addition for our club and our young forwards as they continue to grow and develop."
An MLS original, Razov was drafted in the third round of the 1996 MLS College Draft by the LA Galaxy, where he scored one goal in six appearances over two seasons. He then signed with expansion side Chicago Fire in 1998, where he spent seven seasons and became the club's all-time leading scorer with 76 goals, winning MLS Cup in 1998 and Lamar Hunt US Open Cup titles in 1998, 2000 and 2003. He finished second in MLS with 18 goals in 2000 and earned MLS Best XI honors in 2003 after recording 14 tallies and six assists in 26 appearances. The forward also spent a brief period in 2000-01 with Racing de Ferrol in the Spanish Second Division, where he scored seven goals in 19 appearances.
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After spending the 2005 season 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, California native scored 30 goals in 76 appearances from 2006-09, helping the Goats to the MLS Cup Playoffs each year from 2006-08.
Razov is 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.
Since retiring as a player, Razov has worked as a coach in the LA Galaxy Academy system, most recently coaching the Under-18 team.
"This is a fantastic opportunity and I'm thrilled beyond words," said Razov in a statement. "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 was capped 25 times by the US men's national team, scoring six goals and helping the Stars and Stripes to the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup title. His first USMNT cap came in 1995 against Uruguay while still in college.
Razov played four years at UCLA from 1992-95 for Schmid, finishing his collegiate career with 40 goals and 29 assists. He was the Bruins' leading scorer in 1993 and 1994 before finishing second in 1995.
