Chivas USA acquired veteran forward and 2004 MLS Cup MVP Alecko Eskandarian in a trade with Real Salt Lake in January of 2008.

A five-year veteran of Major League Soccer, Eskandarian joined D.C. United as the first overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. The Montvale, N.J. native played four years with D.C. and helped the club to the 2004 MLS Cup, earning MLS Cup MVP honors with his two-goal performance in that year’s final at The Home Depot Center, Chivas USA’s home stadium. In 2007, Eskandarian joined expansion club Toronto FC and was traded midseason to Real Salt Lake, where he started 17 games and tallied a goal and three assists.

A two-time All-Star and five-time MLS Goal of the Week winner, Eskandarian has captured awards throughout his career, including the 2002 Hermann Trophy after his junior year at the University of Virginia. Eskandarian, who is of Iranian-Armenian descent, is the son of Iranian National team player Andranik Eskandarian, who represented his country at the 1978 World Cup and thereafter played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

Beginnings: I’ve played pretty much since I was born. My dad was a professional soccer player and I had an older brother who was playing, so pretty much since I was a baby I had a ball at my feet.

Food: Armenian food. And Mexican.

Music: I listen to everything. I love going to concerts; it’s one of my favorite things to do.

Charitable causes: After my close friend passed away, her family created a foundation in her name. I am proud to be on the committee of the Nicole Megaloudis Foundation.