Simon Elliott

Overview

Chivas USA signed veteran midfielder Simon Elliott, who played for New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, on February 9, 2011, joining his former teammate Robin Fraser at the Red-and-White. With experience at both the domestic and international levels, Elliott returns to MLS, where he was previously with the LA Galaxy (1999-2003), Columbus Crew (2004-2005) and San Jose Earthquakes (2009), playing 196 games (185 starts), scoring 11 goals and adding 54 assists.

A regular for the New Zealand National Team, Elliott played the full 90 minutes in all three of the All Whites’ matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, helping the team to draws against Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay. He has played nearly 70 matches for New Zealand since his debut with the team in 1995. He also attended Stanford University, playing at the school in 1997 and 1998, scoring 12 goals and adding 13 assists.

Professional Experience

2006-2008: Signed with Fulham F.C. in January of 2006 as a free transfer, when his Columbus Crew contract had expired … Spent his time at Fulham fighting for playing time on the first team … Appeared in only 14 matches in all competitions for Fulham on the first team due to injury.

2005 MLS: Played in 32 matches for the Columbus Crew … Scored one goal and notched 11 assists … Finished third in MLS in assists … Tallied five yellow cards in his defensive midfield role with the club.

2004 MLS: Was a co-captain and appeared in 27 matches with the Columbus Crew, starting 26 of those … Notched ten assists, five of which were on game-winning goals, to place second in MLS in assists … Had two assists 7/28 against DAL … Picked up three yellow cards … Playoffs: Played in and started both playoff matches for the Columbus Crew against the New England Revolution.

2003 MLS: Appeared in 24 matches, starting 23 of those for the Los Angeles Galaxy … Scored one goal and notched two assists … Assisted on an Alexi Lalas game-winning goal 7/30 against CLB … Scored only goal of season 10/18 against SJ … Picked up one yellow card … Playoffs: Played and started in both playoff matches against San Jose.

2002 MLS: Appeared and started in 26 matches for the Los Angeles Galaxy … Scored one goal and tallied 10 assists … Picked up four yellow cards … Playoffs: Played and started in all six playoff matches for Los Angeles on their way to an MLS Cup Championship … Had two assists and picked up two yellow cards.

2001 MLS: Played and started 21 matches for Los Angeles … Scored one goal and notched 11 assists (led team) … Accumulated three yellow cards … Set up three game-winning goals, against KC, NE, and COL … Had his first career multi-assist game on 5/9 in a 4-4 tie with TB … Playoffs: Played and started all seven playoff matches for Los Angeles, including the 2001 MLS Cup won by the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 in overtime … Elliott had two assists in the seven games against MetroStars, Chicago and San Jose.

2000 MLS: Appeared in 28 matches, starting 27 of them for the Los Angeles Galaxy … Scored five goals and notched five assists … Earned one yellow card … Named team MVP at the conclusion of regular season … Playoffs: Played and started in all five playoff matches for Los Angeles … Tallied one assist.

1999 MLS: Played in 23 and started 18 matches for the Los Angeles Galaxy … Scored two goals and notched five assists … Accumulated two yellow cards … Was a candidate for MLS Rookie of the Year … Scored two game-winning goals, both coming against CHI on 6/12 and 7/31 … Started first MLS match on 5/29 against CLB … Playoffs: Appeared in five playoff matches for Los Angeles, starting one as the Galaxy lost in the 1999 MLS Cup to D.C. United … Had one assist in the playoffs.

1999 A-League: Was drafted in the first round by the Boston Bulldogs … Only appeared in three matches before leaving for the Los Angeles Galaxy of MLS.

International

Elliott has made 54 appearances for the New Zealand national team … Has scored eight goals … Made his senior team debut on 1/1995 against Denmark, where he scored in the 2-1 victory … Played with the All Whites in the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France … Saw a lot of playing time in 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifying … New Zealand Player of the Year in 1995 and 1996 … Olympics: Played 90 minutes in all three matches for New Zealand at 2008 Beijing Olympics.

College

1998: Started all 25 matches for Stanford … Had nine goals and seven assists, leading the team with 25 points … led Stanford to first NCAA final … Third team NCAA All-American … 1997: Started all 20 matches for Stanford … NSCAA Far West Region All-America and MPSF Mountain Division All-Federation … Tallied four goals and five assists (13 points) … 1995-1996: Played at the University of Victoria in New Zealand.

Youth/Club

Played for Miramar Rangers, Wellington Olympic AFC, Wellington United, and Waterside Karori in New Zealand.

Personal

Enjoys playing cricket, rugby and Australian Rules Football … Favorite band is "Th' Dudes" … Born in Wellington, New Zealand to Judy Elliott … Has two sisters, Susan and Joanna … Began playing soccer at the age of five … Enjoys camping, backpacking and hiking … Favorite food is New Zealand lamb.