CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA today acquired veteran forward and 2004 MLS Cup MVP Alecko Eskandarian in a trade with Real Salt Lake. In exchange, Chivas USA sends allocation money to Real Salt Lake. Eskandarian, 25, joins Atiba Harris as the second forward to join Chivas USA from RSL during the present offseason.
"We're excited that a proven attacker like Alecko has joined our club," said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. "We hope that his hard work, skill in the box, and goalscoring prowess will benefit Chivas USA in 2008."
Eskandarian is a five-year veteran of Major League Soccer, having joined D.C. United as the first overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. The Montvale, N.J. native played four years with D.C. and helped the club to the 2004 MLS Cup, earning MLS Cup MVP honors with his two-goal performance in that year's final at The Home Depot Center, Chivas USA's home stadium. In 2007, Eskandarian joined expansion club Toronto FC and was traded midseason to Real Salt Lake, where he started 17 games and tallied a goal and three assists.
"I look forward to joining Chivas USA, a club with a great style of play," said Eskandarian. "I have a lot of family in Los Angeles and there's a huge Armenian population there. I'm proud to be Armenian and look forward to seeing my people in the stands, giving their support to the team."
A two-time All-Star and five-time MLS Goal of the Week winner, Eskandarian has captured awards throughout his career, including the 2002 Hermann Trophy after his junior year at the University of Virginia. Eskandarian, who is of Armenian descent, is the son of former Iranian international Andranik Eskandarian, who represented Iran at the 1978 World Cup and thereafter played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League.
TRANSACTION: Chivas USA acquires FWD Alecko Eskandarian in a trade with Real Salt Lake. In exchange, Chivas USA sends allocation money to RSL.
