Zach Thornton always had an eye on D.C. United. It’s fitting that he’s now a part of the Black-and-Red as the newest member of the First Team coaching staff. He hails from Baltimore, only a short distance away, and he’s brought the experience of a legendary career into the United locker room this season.
“For a long time, D.C.’s been the closest team to where I’m from,” said Thornton. “I always enjoyed playing here. Being at this stadium and with the championships and history of D.C. United, working with [Head Coach] Ben [Olsen], an old friend, this is good. I’m really happy.”
Thornton, who retired in 2011 and spent the last two years with Villanova, has been a part of Olsen’s staff for just two regular season games. But the two go way back – further even than Major League Soccer – to the 1994 Olympic Festival. Teammates in the U.S. program, they also faced off throughout their careers in MLS, including the 1998 MLS Cup, where Thornton and the Chicago Fire came out on top, 2-0.
Thornton also spent time at Colorado, New York and Chivas USA during his expansive career. He’s third all-time among MLS goalkeepers in wins (131) and sixth in games played (282). Just like Olsen, he’s seen the league grow in stature over its two decades of existence.
“A lot more is at stake,” Thornton said. “You can tell that teams have taken the professionalism to new levels, it’s a real league now.”
Thornton’s route has always been unique. He was an All-American in lacrosse at Loyola (Md.), and had the chance to join the Baltimore Thunder indoor team coming out of college. After nearly a decade in MLS, he tested his mettle in Portugal with Benfica, sharing the field with players like Simão, Thiago and Miguel and winning a Portuguese Cup – the equivalent of the F.A. Cup in England or the U.S. Open Cup.
“I was just really impressed with the athleticism and the speed of play,” Thornton said. “I knew it was going to be technical. It was great being over there and playing under that pressure. It was one of the best soccer experiences that I’ve had.”
Now his charge is to keep pushing Bill Hamid after his MLS Goalkeeper of the Year-winning season in 2014. The two sat down together to have coffee and share war stories shortly after Thornton came aboard.
“I’ve just got to manage him and help him along the way,” Thornton said. “It’s team success that he wants now.”
Thornton likes what he sees throughout the United roster, too.
“It’s early, and unfortunately, we haven’t had our full team together, not even to practice,” he said. “Once we get our full squad, we’re going to make some noise.”
