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Razov stands out on all his teams

By Jose Alfredo Flores
USA TODAY

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ante Razov plays for the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. The nickname is also an appropriate way to describe his play of late.

Whether it's with Chicago, the U.S. national team or in the MLS All-Star Game over the weekend, Razov is hot.

''There is just this positive feeling I have right now,'' he says. ''Things are just going my way.''

Razov is fourth in MLS with 29 points (12 goals and 5 assists). He has scored three goals and one assist in the last four U.S. national team games, including the tying goal in the 1-1 draw with Guatemala two weeks ago. And he was one goal shy of a hat trick in his first MLS All-Star Game on Saturday.

But times were not always so good for the Los Angeles native. After scoring 40 goals in his four years with UCLA, he went on to play for his hometown Galaxy in the inaugural year in MLS. But he played behind U.S. national team striker Cobi Jones and appeared in only six games in two years, scoring one goal, before being sent off to the expansion Fire.

''I knew it was always in me,'' Razov says. ''But it was just a matter of getting a chance to show it.''

Both Chris Armas and Razov (RAZ-off) joined the Fire from the Galaxy in 1998 and became immediate contributors to a team that upset defending champion D.C. United in the MLS Cup, becoming the first team in U.S. pro sports history to win a championship in its inaugural season. Razov has led the team in scoring each of the last three seasons.

''I knew he would be a star,'' says Armas, U.S. national team midfielder. ''He's really stepped it up as of late and I'm not surprised.''

Teammate Zach Thornton followed a nearly identical path. The goalkeeper played behind All-Star and MVP candidate Tony Meola when both played for the MetroStars. Thornton also played only six games in his first two years before joining the Fire in 1998, being named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in his first full year as a starter.

''You always have to do something with your chance,'' says Thornton, a West All-Star. ''It was great timing for both of us. We were both trying to prove ourselves to the rest of the league.''

Chicago coach Bob Bradley was an assistant coach on the 1996 U.S. Olympic team that featured both Thornton and Razov and saw what the two could do at the youth national level. ''Young players are anxious,'' Bradley says. ''I have always known they were talented.''

Bradley knows what drives Razov. ''He can never be satisfied,'' Bradley says. ''He has always put his sights on new levels and getting into the national team and the All-Star Game are rewards for his efforts.''

It was at first doubtful that Razov would appear in the All-Star Game after injuring his calf when the USA faced Costa Rica last Sunday. But ''Te'' (pronounced TAY), as his teammates affectionately call him, was determined to play after being selected to start by the fans.

''It's an honor to be selected,'' Razov says. ''I wanted to do it for the fans.''

Razov is a product of MLS -- American-born and raised and playing professionally here when previous generations didn't have that chance.

''This league has taken some giant strides in the years I have been here,'' Razov says. ''MLS is definitely helping us (American players) close the gap.''

This might only be the beginning for Razov, 26. ''He's still a young player,'' Bradley says. ''He has tremendous potential and he possesses some very good attacking skills.''

Adds Thornton, ''Ante has proven he can play at any level.''

Jason Kreis, who has starred for the Dallas Burn since the league's inception five years ago, is another example the development of young American talent in MLS, a top priority for the league.

Razov ''should be tremendously proud of his accomplishments,'' says Kreis, the 1999 league MVP. ''It speaks volumes for the league to have someone improve like he has.''