When Ante Razov was announced as Sounders FC’s newest assistant coach in January, avid Major League Soccer fans knew just what he brought to the table.
Razov spent 14 years as player in MLS and retired as one of the most effective scorers in league history, finishing fourth all-time on the league's career scoring list with 114 goals. He scored the bulk of those goals during a torrid seven-year stretch with the Chicago Fire, who will honor him on Saturday as the latest induction into the club's Ring of Fire Hall of Fame.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized for my playing career in Chicago,” Razov said earlier this season after it was announced he’d be inducted. “It was the best part of my playing career. It was a special time and I look forward to getting back there and to see the fans. It will be nice.”
The Fire will induct Razov at halftime of their match against the New England Revolution at Toyota Park. He scored 95 goals for the Fire across all competitions, a club record.
Razov retired in 2009 after stints in Chicago, LA (with both the Galaxy and Chivas USA), Columbus and New York. He is the eighth player to enter the Ring of Fire, a group that also includes players like Peter Nowak, Chris Armas and former U.S. national team head coach Bob Bradley.
"Chicago was always my playing team, without a doubt," Ravoz told www.chicago-fire.com this week. "Those were my best playing moments; we played in six finals in my years there, and those were great times and great people and we’re forever tied together. I’m not one to usually bask in individual moments but I’m going to try to enjoy this one and allow myself to say ‘OK, this is a pretty cool accomplishment.’”
Beyond his contributions in Chicago, Razov earned 25 caps with the USMNT and netted six goals along with a 2002 Gold Cup title. He played college soccer at UCLA under Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid.
