Predrag Radosavljević, known to the soccer world simply as “Preki,” left his mark on Major League Soccer from the moment he signed with the Kansas City Wiz on February 6, 1996.
Preki would go on to dominate the league, earning two MVP and Golden Boot awards along the way. From 1996 to 2000, he made 145 appearances for Kansas City and scored a total of 50 goals. After spending the 2001 campaign with the Miami Fusion, Preki was able to rejoin his former club in the 2002 MLS Dispersal Draft when Miami’s franchise was contracted.
Preki would pick up right where he left off with the Wizards, recording 21 goals in 73 games from 2002-2005. Upon retiring in 2005, Preki joined Chivas USA as an assistant coach in 2006 before eventually being promoted to head coach a year later. His soccer knowledge spread quickly to his team and his success in 2007 led him to the honor of MLS Coach of the Year.
He is currently the all-time points leader in Major League Soccer history, was named to Major League Soccer’s All-Time Best XI in 2005, and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010.
OTHER:
Before his time in Major League Soccer, Preki had successful stints for various clubs in Europe as well as in indoor soccer. He was a catalyst in the attack for both Everton and Portsmouth in England, and tallied 180 goals in his five years spent playing indoors for the St. Louis Storm and San Jose Grizzlies.
HONORS/CAREER STATISTICS:
MLS MVP: 1997, 2003
MLS Golden Boot: 1997, 2003
MLS All-Time Best XI
National Soccer Hall of Fame: 2010
MLS All-Time Leader in Points (270: 79 goals, 112 assists)
MLS Cup: 2000
MLS Supporters’ Shield: 2000, 2001
U.S. Open Cup: 2004
MLS Coach of the Year: 2007
MLS appearances: 242
MLS goals: 79
MLS assists: 112
United States National Team appearances: 28
United States National Team goals: 4
