CHICAGO (June 17, 2015) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Wednesday that former Fire forward and Fire Original Ante Razov will be inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame, known as the Ring of Fire, before the Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution match at Toyota Park on Saturday, Oct. 3. The initiative began in 2003 in an effort to honor members of the Chicago Fire whom have made the team a successful organization and displayed the qualities the Club embodies: leadership, dedication and integrity. The Fire’s unique tribute – the first of its kind created by a Major League Soccer club – began in 2003, when Fire midfielder and captain Peter Nowak became the inaugural member. The Chicago Fire, in consultation with the current Ring of Fire members, select each honoree.
"We are excited to induct Ante Razov into the Ring of Fire, the Club’s highest honor," said Chicago Fire Owner Andrew Hauptman. "Ante was not only an incredible striker for the Fire, but was one of the most prolific goal-scorers in MLS history. His passion and dedication helped instill a hard-working mentality in this Club since 1998 and we are pleased to honor his contributions with an induction into the Ring of Fire."
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The club’s all-time leading scorer with 76 goals, Razov currently sits fourth all-time in MLS history with 114 career goals. Razov holds the most career shots (926) and shots on goal (441) in League history. Razov joins fellow Ring of Fire inductees: former captain Peter Nowak, former defender Lubos Kubik, former forward and head coach Frank Klopas, the Fire’s first General Manager Peter Wilt, former head coach Bob Bradley, former midfielder Chris Armas and former defender and assistant coach C.J. Brown in the club’s Ring of Fire.
"I am truly honored to be selected as one of the few men in the Ring of Fire,” said Razov. "To be among the greats of the Fire is the most gratifying feeling. We had a very special group of people during my time and this feeling has never escaped me. This recognition brings back the best memories of my playing career.
"I would like to thank Andrew Hauptman, whom personally called, members of the Ring of Fire, my former teammates and coaches, as well as the wonderful fans of the Chicago Fire! I am humbled."
“Ante Razov was our version of Robin Van Persie,” added Bradley, current manager of Norwegian Tippeligaen side Stabæk. “He was a very special left-footed goal scorer who wore the red proudly. Ante's passion for the game and for the Fire stood out every time he stepped on the field.”
After a collegiate career at UCLA where he led the Bruins twice in scoring, Razov was chosen by the Galaxy in the third round of the 1996 MLS College Draft. Razov joined the Fire prior to the start of the 1998 season. In his first year with the Men in Red, Razov appeared in 30 games and led the Fire in scoring with 10 goals.
Over the course of seven seasons with the Fire, Razov appeared in 125 regular season matches, scoring 76 goals and adding 44 assists. He made 26 post season appearances for the Men in Red, scoring ten goals and adding nine assists, including six assists to lead the Fire a MLS Cup appearance in 2000. The only year Razov didn’t lead the Fire in scoring was 2001, when he headed abroad to play for Racing Ferrol in the Spanish second division where he scored six goals in 19 games.
A 2003 MLS Best XI honoree, Razov won the 1998 MLS Cup and three U.S. Open Cup titles in his time with the Fire. Razov departed Chicago in 2005 and represented the Columbus Crew, MetroStars and Chivas USA before concluding his 15-year MLS career in 2009.
A native of Whittier, Calif., Razov earned 25 caps for the United States from 1995 to 2007, scoring six goals, including two to help the U.S. qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and was a member of the side that captured the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Razov is currently in his first season serving as an assistant coach for the Seattle Sounders FC.
