Fire Legend returns while Red Stars legend departs.
THORNTON RETURNS TO FIRE: On Monday, Chicago Fire FC announced that former goalkeeper Zach Thornton will return to the club as goalkeeping coach. He replaces Adin Brown who went to San Jose Earthquakes in the same position to be closer to home.
“Chicago Fire is my Club,” said Thornton. “I may have played at other places, I’ve coached at other places, but the chance to come to my second home Chicago, that’s something that I couldn’t pass up. I had success here as a player, and I’m excited to coach here and bring additional success to the Club.”
Thornton played nine seasons with the Fire from 1998 to 2006 winning MLS Cup in 1998 and the US Open Cup four times. After the Fire, he had stints with Colorado (2007), New York Red Bulls (2008), and finally Chivas USA (2008-2011) before retiring.
After a sting as head coach at Villanova, he spent seven seasons as goalkeeping coach at DC United where he mentored Bill Hamid. This past season, he was goalkeeping coach for Houston Dynamo.
Thornton joins fellow Fire legends CJ Brown and Frank Klopas as part of Ezra Hendrickson’s technical staff.
Photo: Chicago Fire FC
COLAPRICO SIGNED BY SAN DIEGO: Days after Danielle Colparico decided to become a free agent and leave the Red Stars, she has signed with San Diego Wave. Colaprico spent eight seasons with the Red Stars making over 150 appearances for the club and was NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2015.
“I’m so excited to have signed with the San Diego Wave and continue my soccer journey here,” Colaprico commented. “Seeing the growth the team made in just one year is inspirational. I can’t wait to play in front of an incredible fan base and further develop as a player with my new teammates, under Coach Casey Stoney.”
