Claudio Suarez

Chivas USA announced the acquisition of World Cup veteran defender Claudio Suárez on March 24, 2006. Known as 'El Emperador' ('The Emperor'), the longtime Mexican national team caption is one of the world leaders in international appearances, having represented 'El Tri' on 178 occasions, including at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He was also a member of Mexico's 2006 World Cup squad.

Born in Texcoco, in the state of Mexico, on December 17, 1968, Suárez currently resides in Southern California with his wife and three children.

PROFESSIONAL (MLS)

2007: Regular season:  Played 26 regular-season games for Chivas USA (starting 25), logging 2153 minutes, registering 3 goals and 1 assist. Named Chivas USA's Defender of the Year for the second year in a row after a standout campaign on the Red-and-White back line. Playoffs: Played 2 postseason games for Chivas USA (starting 2), logging 180 minutes.

2006: Regular season: Played 20 regular-season games for Chivas USA (starting 20), logging 1778 minutes, registering 6 goals and 1 assist. Named Chivas USA's Defender of the Year after standout campaign on the Red-and-White back line. Playoffs: Played 2 postseason games for Chivas USA (starting 2), logging 180 minutes.International: Member of Mexican National Team at 2006 FIFA World Cup.

PROFESSIONAL (MEXICO)

A product of the youth system of Mexico City club Pumas UNAM, Suárez played professionally for Chivas USA's sister team, Club Deportivo Guadalajara, from 1996-2000, as well as fellow Mexican First Division clubs Pumas UNAM (1989-1996) and Tigres UANL (2000-2005). He made his Mexican First Division debut with Pumas on February 23, 1989, and two years later, during the 1990-91 season, won the first of two league titles with UNAM.

In 1996, Suárez joined Chivas Guadalajara, where he won his second league championship - Chivas' tenth Mexican league title - at the end of the Verano 1997 season alongside Chivas USA teammate Ramón Ramírez. In 2000, Suárez joined his third Mexican league club, Tigres UNAL of Monterrey, where he played in two league finals and one edition of the Copa Libertadores, before joining Chivas USA in 2006.

INTERNATIONAL

Suárez is perhaps the greatest central defender in the history of Mexican football. The 'Emperor', as he is known, was a member of the Mexican national team at the USA '94, France '98 and Germany '06 World Cups.

Since making made his debut with the Mexican national team on July 26, 1992 in an international friendly against El Salvador, Suárez has accumulated more than 178 international appearances, behind Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea on the all-time list.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

Chivas USA: It has been a challenge since I didn't know the level of soccer in this country.
Nicknames: Emperador (Emperor), but before, people used to called me Little Bird.
Idols: Hugo Sánchez, Luis Flores, Alfredo Tena, and at the international level, Marco Van Basten. 
For fun: I like to be with my family, play games, watch movies, read.
Other sports: I like the Dallas Cowboys; I also played American football and baseball.