CARSON, Calif. - Former Mexican national team defender Claudio Suarez has caught Chivas USA's attention and the longtime Tricolor stalwart could soon become part of Major League Soccer, club officials said Friday.
Chivas USA president and co-owner Antonio Cue said the player, club and league were involved in negotiations that could culminate in Suarez's signing.
"There is a lot of interest on Chivas' part. We would love to have Claudio as part of our team," Cue said. "He's been the player who has worn the Mexican jersey the most time. We obviously haven't finalized the deal. That will be in the next week."
Nicknamed "El Emperador" - or "The Emperor" - Suarez has 173 international appearances for Mexico and, like Chivas USA captain Ramon Ramirez, donned the Tricolor in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. Suarez was seemingly a lock to make the 2002 World Cup roster before a leg injury sidelined him less than two months from the start of the tournament. His last game with the national team was in December when Mexico beat Hungary 2-0 in Phoenix, Ariz.
The 37-year-old has spent the past nine seasons with Tigres UANL of the Mexican First Division but has played sparingly the past few campaigns. In the Apertura 2004 season, Suarez started 15 matches but has played in just 11 regular-season games in the 2005 calendar year.
Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley said Suarez would bring several valuable intangibles to the squad.
"He is a tremendous leader in the back and that is something very special," Bradley said. "We'll discuss things with him but I believe he is a player who could help us be more organized in the defense and play the ball out of the back better."
Bradley compared Suarez to former Chicago Fire defender Lubos Kubik, who helped the Bradley-led Fire to victory in MLS Cup '98.
"Lubos Kubik was a very special player in Chicago," Bradley said. "He made everyone around him better. These are quality players."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
