Thornton named Goalkeeper of the Year

Chivas USA 'keeper becomes third player to win award twice

By Jeffrey King / MLSnet.com Staff

Zach Thornton led MLS during 2009 in goals-against average and shutouts. (Getty Images)

CARSON, Calif. -- By the end of the 1998 MLS regular season, Zach Thornton had firmly established himself as the top goalkeeper in the league. The statistics were staggering; a goals-against average of 1.17, eight shutouts and 27 total goals allowed, which was eight better than his nearest competitor. He was named 1998 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for his efforts.

Now, almost 11 years later, Thornton has done it again. This time around, he boasts an impressive goals-against average of 0.87 (the second-lowest in league history), has allowed just 23 goals in 27 games and has amassed 12 shutouts. And, for the second time, he has been named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for his efforts.

"I'm very proud," said Thornton. "To wait this long and to have gone through what I've been through and to be able to win the award again is outstanding."

Thornton, who has been an MLS All-Star six times (1998-2001, 2003, 2009), joins Joe Cannon and Pat Onstad as one of only three goalkeepers to have won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year twice.

"Whenever you're mentioned in that class of goalkeeper, with [Joe and Pat], you have to feel good about yourself," said Thornton. "But it's not just me; it's the guys in the locker room. My defenders and everyone that plays with me -- we all get a part in this award."

Thornton joined Chivas USA in August 2008 from the New York Red Bulls after the departure of Brad Guzan. He played eight games for the Red-and-White in his first half-season with the team, including both playoff games against Real Salt Lake.

"Brad is a very good goalkeeper," said Thornton. "He left some huge shoes to fill. I was just hoping to play the way I can play and hopefully give the team a good chance to win."

Thornton's arrival at Chivas USA reunited him with goalkeeper coach Leo Percovich. The two had been together at Colorado for the 2007 season, and Thornton credits Percovich for much of his success this year.

"I couldn't have done it without Leo," said Thornton. "He keeps me in great physical shape and mentally strong. Being with him the second time around has really helped me a lot."

Thornton also had the advantage of working with a team that has placed a large emphasis on defense this year. Chivas USA allowed just 31 goals during the 2009 season, a mark that puts the team in a tie for third-best in all of MLS.

"There have been different guys in and out of the lineup, but we train defensively a lot to try and limit [the opponent's] chances," said Thornton. "We train hard and we train together."

One of just five players active in MLS who have been a part of the league every year since its inception, Thornton is preparing for the second leg of the first-ever playoff SuperClásico against in-stadium rival LA Galaxy. After a 2-2 draw in the first game, Chivas USA is preparing for what will certainly be a tense atmosphere on Sunday.

"It's going to be a good game," said Thornton. "But we feel good. We're going into the game on Sunday at basically 0-0. Technically, it's an away game, but we get to sleep in our own bed and be in our own locker room. We should be comfortable. I think we're confident."

The first game of the series saw the Red-and-White commit two defensive errors, both of which resulted in goals for the Galaxy. Thornton is confident of his team's ability to bounce back and regain the stalwart defensive form that has been the trademark of Chivas USA all year.

"The first game, it was maybe a little bit of nerves," he said. "Those Super Clásicos are crazy; you never know what's going to happen. I think we're more prepared this time around."

Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.