Chivas USA's Thornton wins Goalkeeper of the Year

By Shane Evans, Special to SI.com, Goal.com

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In what isn't exactly a huge surprise, Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton was awarded MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for 2009.

Leading the league in shutouts and goals against, Thornton was a near shoe-in for the award that was given out Wednesday afternoon.

Playing in what is being considered the best year of his 13 in MLS, Thornton led Chivas to a 13-11-6 record with a career-high 12 shutouts.

His playing career had led him across Major League Soccer with spots in New York, Chicago, Colorado and Chivas. He spent the majority of his career with the Fire, making more than 200 appearances for the club from 1998 to 2006.

A native of Edgewood, Md., Thornton has also had eight caps with the U.S. national team between 1994 and 2001.