CARSON, Calif. - Following a disastrous defensive campaign, it seemed only natural that Chivas USA would solidify their defense.
Such was the case for the Red-and-White on Thursday when the club acquired veteran defender Brian Dunseth from Real Salt Lake in exchange for Douglas Sequeira and Christian Jimenez. The 28-year-old central defender hopes to bring stability and MLS experience to a beleaguered Chivas defense that surrendered a league-high 67 goals last season.
Dunseth said he did not take the timing of the move lightly.
"It's an honor anytime a coach puts you at the top of his list. It makes you think about every day when you go out and train and step on that field how much you want to fight for him," he said. "Hopefully I can come in and solidify the defense and prove to the players and the fans that I'm worthy of wearing the jersey."
Although he is joining a new club, Dunseth is not walking into the unknown. He played for Chivas USA sporting director Thomas Rongen in New England, the first of many MLS stops for Dunseth.
Amongst the players, he won't need a name tag with most.
"Orlando Perez and I have played soccer together since we were six years old," Dunseth said. "I've known Antonio Martinez for about 10 years now, going back to Cal State Fullerton. I've been playing with guys like Ezra (Hendrickson), Francisco (Gomez) and Arturo (Torres). It's not that big of a difference."
Switching clubs is no new process for the Upland, Calif., native. Chivas USA will be his sixth MLS stop, as Dunseth has played for New England, Miami, Columbus, Dallas and Real Salt Lake before joining the Red-and-White. He also spent a year in Sweden with third-division side Bodens BK.
Now, however, Dunseth is part of a unique club - a U.S. side with a Mexican identity. Though he might be an American-born player donning the famously Mexican red-and-white stripes, his time in Scandinavia was more extreme.
"I played in a country where I was the only American," he said of his days in Sweden.
Dunseth should add instant stability to Chivas' central defense, though he can play left or right back as well. A year ago, he started 24 games and played a total of 2,011 minutes, figures topped by only three current Chivas players. He also scored twice, including one of the club's most memorable goals: on April 16, Dunseth's 81st-minute goal gave Real Salt Lake their first-ever victory, a 1-0 win against Colorado.
Against Chivas last year, Dunseth started three of the four games between the two expansion teams. In those games, RSL went 2-1 and outscored Chivas by a combined 5-2. In the lone game Dunseth did not play against Chivas, the Red-and-White won 5-1.
From the other side of the pitch, Dunseth said he saw Chivas as a club with "a lot of fight, a lot of bite and a skillful team. They seemed to be unlucky."
As for his constant moves, Dunseth said there is a common thread with each and every move.
"It's an interesting experience. I've been in a lot of trades and been with a lot of teams," Dunseth said. "It's just a matter of going out there and getting used to the players and their personalities and tendencies on the field and try and combine and make that effort solid."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
