CARSON, Calif. - Major League Soccer team Chivas USA today began rebuilding its squad for the 2006 MLS season, acquiring veteran defender Brian Dunseth in a three-player trade with fellow 2005 MLS expansion side Real Salt Lake. In exchange for the 28-year-old Upland, California native and former captain of the U.S. Olympic national team, Chivas USA sends D/M Douglas Sequeira and M/F Christian Jiménez to Real Salt Lake. The move opens up a Senior International slot on Chivas USA's roster.
"In Brian, Chivas USA has found a talented and experienced player who can help us strengthen our backline, one of the focus points of our restructuring efforts for next year," said Chivas USA President and Co-Owner Antonio Cué. "The Chivas family welcomes Brian with open arms, while thanking Douglas and Christian for their service during the 2005 season."
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity with Chivas USA, a team I came to know well last season," said Dunseth. "I look forward to returning to my native Southern California, to joining a soccer club with such a great tradition, and to making important contribution to Chivas USA's success in 2006."
Dunseth, who can play central defense as well as right and left fullback, is a nine-year veteran of MLS and the Swedish league, having played for New England (1997-2001), Miami (2001), Columbus (2002-2003), Dallas (2003) and Bodens BK of the Swedish Superettan (Third Division, 2004), as well as 2005 MLS expansion side Real Salt Lake. In 2005, Dunseth was Real Salt Lake's sixth player in terms of minutes played, logging 2,011 minutes in 24 games (all starts) and scoring two goals in five shots on goal.
Dunseth has represented the United States national team at several levels, having captained the U.S. Olympic squad during its fourth-place run the Sydney 2000 games. In 1998, he was named captain of the U.S. U-23's for a four-game tour of England, and in 1997 he was named the top U.S. U-20 player at the World Youth Championship in Malaysia. Incidentally, Dunseth becomes Chivas USA's third Olympian, alongside Mexican internationals Francisco Palencia (Atlanta 1996) and Juan Pablo García (Athens 2004).
Growing up in Upland, San Bernardino County, Dunseth played for Southern California youth soccer powerhouse Upland Celtic, alongside Chivas USA defender Orlando Pérez, where the pair won several State Cups. After high school, Dunseth played college soccer at California State University, Fullerton, alma mater of Chivas USA forward Antonio Martínez. In 2003, Dunseth manned the backline for the Dallas Burn alongside fellow Chivas USA defender Ezra Hendrickson. This past season, Dunseth started three of Real Salt Lake's four games against Chivas USA, missing RSL's 5-1 loss to Chivas USA due to suspension.
Born on March 2, 1977 in Pomona, California, Dunseth is the son of Denise and Roger Peterson and Bart Dunseth. He has a younger brother, Nick, and a younger sister, Whitney. An aspiring entrepreneur, in 2004 Dunseth founded Bumpy Pitch, his own soccer-inspired fashion line. He is currently single.
TRANSACTION: Chivas USA acquires defender Brian Dunseth in exchange for defender-midfielder Douglas Sequeira and midfielder-forward Christian Jiménez.
