View source for Zach Thornton

{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1973)}}
{{about|the soccer player|the baseball pitcher|Zack Thornton}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| image = Zthorton.jpg
| caption = Thornton in 2008
| full_name = 
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|10|10}}
| birth_place = [[Edgewood, Maryland|Edgewood]], [[Maryland]], U.S.
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=3}}
| position = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]]
| currentclub = 
| collegeyears1 = 1993–1994
| college1 = [[Loyola Greyhounds men's soccer|Loyola Greyhounds]]
| years1 = 1993
| clubs1 = [[Baltimore Bays (1993–1998)|Baltimore Bays]]<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=June 6, 1993 |title=Barger's goal boots Bays, 1-0 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/170648634/ |work=The Sun |location=Baltimore |access-date=August 21, 2021 }}</ref>
| caps1 = ?
| goals1 = ?
| years2 = 1996–1997
| clubs2 = [[New York Red Bulls|MetroStars]]
| caps2 = 6
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1997
| clubs3 = → [[North Jersey Imperials|Imperials]] (loan)
| caps3 = 4
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 1998–2006
| clubs4 = [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]]
| caps4 = 215
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2004
| clubs5 = → [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]] (loan)
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2007
| clubs6 = [[Colorado Rapids]]
| caps6 = 1
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2008
| clubs7 = [[New York Red Bulls]]
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2008–2011
| clubs8 = [[Chivas USA]]
| caps8 = 60
| goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 286
| totalgoals = 0
| nationalyears1 = 1994–2001
| nationalteam1 = [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]]
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2012
| managerclubs1 = [[Loyola Greyhounds men's soccer|Loyola Greyhounds]] (goalkeeping)
| manageryears2 = 2012
| managerclubs2 = [[Elizabethtown College|Elizabethtown Blue Jays]] (goalkeeping)
| manageryears3 = 2013–2014
| managerclubs3 = [[Villanova Wildcats men's soccer|Villanova Wildcats]] (associate head coach)
| manageryears4 = 2015–2021
| managerclubs4 = [[D.C. United]] (goalkeeping)
| manageryears5 = 2022
| managerclubs5 = [[Houston Dynamo FC|Houston Dynamo]] (goalkeeping)
| manageryears6 = 2022–
| managerclubs6 = [[Chicago Fire FC|Chicago Fire]] (goalkeeping)
}}

'''Zach Thornton''' (born October 10, 1973) is an American [[soccer]] player who is goalkeeping coach for [[Chicago Fire FC]]. A [[goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]], he spent 16 seasons in [[Major League Soccer]] with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (1996–97), [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] (1998–2006), [[Colorado Rapids]] (2007), [[New York Red Bulls]] (2008) and [[Chivas USA]] (2008–11). He was the starting goalkeeper for the Fire when it won [[MLS Cup '98]] in its inaugural year. He, [[Chris Armas]], and [[C. J. Brown]] are the only three Fire players to be a part of all six of the club's domestic championships from 1998 through 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2012/02/fire-original-cj-brown-be-inducted-ring-fire|title="Fire original C.J. Brown to be inducted into the Ring of Fire," Chicago Fire Soccer Club, Tuesday, February 14, 2012.}}</ref>

==Youth and college==
The youngest of four siblings, Thornton began playing soccer at age five and [[lacrosse (sport)|lacrosse]] a year later. His father Ernest, who had endured his share of injuries while playing [[American football|football]] at [[Kentucky State University|Kentucky State College]], had gently steered him away from the [[gridiron football|gridiron sport]]. Thornton was a three-sport star in soccer, lacrosse and [[basketball]] at [[The John Carroll School]]. He attended [[Community College of Baltimore County|Essex Community College]] before completing his education at [[Loyola University Maryland|Loyola College in Maryland]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20130117160240/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-10-26/sports/1994299051_1_thornton-lacrosse-playing-soccer Eisenberg, John. "Goalkeeper Thornton is Loyola's shutout artist Zach as in Zero," ''The Baltimore Sun'', Wednesday, October 26, 1994.]</ref> At Loyola, he played both soccer and lacrosse, the latter as a third-team All-American. He was named to the [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]] 40th Anniversary Men's Soccer Team on September 1, 2020.<ref>[https://maacsports.com/news/2020/9/1/maac-announces-40th-anniversary-mens-soccer-team.aspx "MAAC Announces 40th Anniversary Men’s Soccer Team," Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Tuesday, September 1, 2020.] Retrieved September 8, 2020</ref>

==Playing career==

===Professional===
Thornton was selected in the 7th round (69th overall) by the [[New York Red Bulls|New York/New Jersey MetroStars]] in the [[1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/1996inaugural |title=MLS Inaugural Draft Tracker 1996 – Major League Soccer. |access-date=October 17, 2012 |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022010126/http://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/1996inaugural |url-status=dead }}</ref> With then-former [[United States men's national soccer team|U.S. national]] keeper and local star [[Tony Meola]] entrenched in Metro nets, Thornton played only six games during his first two seasons in MLS. In 1997, he played a few games on loan with the [[North Jersey Imperials]] of the [[United Soccer Leagues|USISL]], whose starting goalie was future Metro and U.S. national teamer [[Tim Howard]].

The [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] took Thornton in the [[1997 MLS Expansion Draft]], and his career took off. Beating out Mexican international [[Jorge Campos]] for the starting job, Zach lead the expansion Fire to that year's [[MLS Cup]], and was named the league's [[MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award|Goalkeeper of the Year]]. He spent six years with the Fire, an automatic starter throughout his time there, and frequently at the top of MLS goalkeeping charts. In 2004, Thornton signed a six-month contract with [[Portugal|Portuguese]] club [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]]. He didn't get a single first-team match with them, however, and re-signed with the Fire late in the MLS season. Thornton did not get any playing time, as his former backup [[Henry Ring]] had taken hold of the position in Thornton's absence. In 2005, Thornton reclaimed his spot in the Fire's net missing only a few matches due to injury.

Thornton was traded to [[Colorado Rapids]] on March 2, 2007, where he was a backup behind [[Bouna Coundoul]] during the 2007 season,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3432586|title=Chicago Fire trades goalkeeper Zach Thornton to Colorado Rapids – OurSports Central|date=March 2, 2007}}</ref> before he was waived at the end of the year. He was subsequently picked up by [[New York Red Bulls]] as the team's reserve goalkeeper for 2008 behind [[Jon Conway]].

Thornton was traded to [[Chivas USA]] on August 2, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3693762|title=Red Bulls trade goalkeeper Zach Thornton to Chivas USA – OurSports Central|date=August 2008}}</ref> He and enjoyed an impressive first two seasons with the team, ultimately winning the 2009 [[MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award|Goalkeeper of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/11/04/zach.thornton/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025143047/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/11/04/zach.thornton/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2012|title=Chivas USA's Thornton wins Goalkeeper of the Year}}</ref>

Thornton was injured during the 2011 season with Chivas USA and lost his starting role. At season's end, the club declined his 2012 contract option and he entered the [[2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft]]. Thornton was not selected in the draft and became a free agent.

===International===
Thornton's first cap with the U.S. national team came in 1994 in a friendly against [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]]. He backed up [[Kasey Keller]] at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]]. Thornton wasn't able to translate his success in MLS to the international level, collecting only eight caps. On December 22, 2009, Thornton received another call up to play a friendly against Honduras on January 23.

==Coaching career==
Thornton returned to his [[alma mater]] as a part-time volunteer goalkeeping coach for the [[Loyola Greyhounds men's soccer|Loyola University Maryland men's soccer program]] on July 5, 2012.<ref>[https://loyolagreyhounds.com/news/2012/7/5/Thornton_Returns_To_Loyola_As_Volunteer_Assistant_Coach "Thornton Returns To Loyola As Volunteer Assistant Coach," Loyola University Maryland Athletics, July 5, 2012.] Retrieved October 11, 2020</ref> He was named to a similar position on a full-time basis for both the men's and women's programs at [[Elizabethtown College]] just over six weeks later on August 20.<ref>[https://www.etownian.com/news/renowned-coaches-join-athletic-dept/ Norris, Jill. "Renowned Coaches Join Athletic Dept.," ''The Etownian'' (Elizabethtown College), October 3, 2012.]</ref> He was appointed Associate Head Coach with the [[Villanova Wildcats men's soccer|Villanova University men's soccer program]] on January 17, 2013.<ref>[https://villanova.com/news/2013/1/17/Thornton_Named_Associate_Head_Coach_for_Men_s_Soccer.aspx "Thornton Named Associate Head Coach for Men's Soccer," Villanova University Athletics, January 17, 2013.] Retrieved October 11, 2020</ref> In 2015, Thornton was hired as Goalkeeping Coach for MLS franchise [[D.C. United]].<ref>[https://www.dcunited.com/coaches/zach-thornton Zach Thornton (profile) &ndash; D.C. United.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112052241/https://www.dcunited.com/coaches/zach-thornton |date=January 12, 2019 }} Retrieved October 11, 2020</ref> Thornton was named goalkeeping coach for [[Houston Dynamo FC|Houston Dynamo]] on January 13, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Dynamo FC add Jimmy Nielsen, Chris Martinez and Zach Thornton to technical staff |url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/houston-dynamo-fc-add-jimmy-nielsen-chris-martinez-and-zach-thornton-to-technica |website=HoustonDynamoFC.com |access-date=January 14, 2022}}</ref> Thornton joined [[Chicago Fire FC]] as goalkeeping coach in December 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicago Fire FC Name Club Legend Zach Thornton Goalkeeper Coach |url=https://www.chicagofirefc.com/news/chicago-fire-fc-name-club-legend-zach-thornton-goalkeeper-coach |website=ChicagoFireFC.com |access-date=May 10, 2023}}</ref>

==Honors==

'''Chicago Fire'''
* [[U.S. Open Cup]]: [[1998 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|1998]], [[2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2000]], [[2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|2003]]
* [[Major League Soccer]] Eastern Conference Championship: [[2003 Major League Soccer season|2003]]
* [[MLS Cup]]: [[MLS Cup 1998|1998]]
* [[Major League Soccer]] Supporters' Shield: [[2003 Major League Soccer season|2003]]
* [[Major League Soccer]] Western Conference Championship: [[1998 Major League Soccer season|1998]]

'''Individual'''
*[[MLS All-Star Game|MLS All-Star]]: [[1998 MLS All-Star Game|1998]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2, 1998 |title=1998 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/1998-mls-all-star-game-373141 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |work=MLSsoccer.com}}</ref> [[1999 Major League Soccer All-Star Game|1999]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=mlssoccer |title=1999 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/1999-mls-all-star-game-373142 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |work=MLSsoccer.com |language=en}}</ref> [[2000 MLS All-Star Game|2000]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2000 |title=2000 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2000-mls-all-star-game-373143 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref>
* [[MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award|MLS Goalkeeper of the Year]]: 1998, 2009
* [[MLS Best XI]]: 1998, 2009
* [[MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award|MLS Comeback Player of the Year]]: 2009

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{MLS player|zach-thornton}}
* {{NFT player|11450}}

{{Chicago Fire FC squad}}
{{MLS Goalkeeper of the Year}}
{{1998 MLS Best XI}}
{{2009 MLS Best XI}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thornton, Zach}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American expatriate men's soccer players]]
[[Category:United States men's international soccer players]]
[[Category:African-American soccer players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer players]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars]]
[[Category:New York Red Bulls players]]
[[Category:North Jersey Imperials players]]
[[Category:Chicago Fire FC players]]
[[Category:S.L. Benfica footballers]]
[[Category:Colorado Rapids players]]
[[Category:Chivas USA players]]
[[Category:Men's association football goalkeepers]]
[[Category:People from Edgewood, Maryland]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Maryland]]
[[Category:Loyola Greyhounds men's soccer players]]
[[Category:D.C. United non-playing staff]]
[[Category:American men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Association football goalkeeping coaches]]
[[Category:Lacrosse players from Maryland]]
[[Category:Loyola Greyhounds men's lacrosse players]]
[[Category:Loyola Greyhounds men's soccer coaches]]
[[Category:Elizabethtown Blue Jays]]
[[Category:College women's soccer coaches in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Villanova Wildcats men's soccer coaches]]
[[Category:Houston Dynamo FC non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Chicago Fire FC non-playing staff]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]