CCBC Athletics Hall of Fame Spotlight: Zach Thornton

ZACH THORNTON
Class of 2012
CCBC Essex
Soccer, Lacrosse
1991-1993 

A 1991 graduate of John Carroll High School (Bel Air, Md.), Zach Thornton became one of the best professional soccer goalkeepers in the world.

A two-sport star, he was a first team National Soccer Coaches Association of American Men's Soccer and NJCAA Men's Lacrosse All-American (as a midfielder) for 1993-1994.

Thornton was also a first-team All-NJCAA Region XX and All-Maryland JUCO Conference selection for both sports as a sophomore.

After leaving CCBC with an Associate of Arts degree in 1993, he continued on as a soccer and lacrosse standout at Loyola University Maryland (Baltimore, Md.), earning NCAA Lacrosse All-American (1993) and NSCAA Soccer All-American (1992 and 1993) honors.

He graduated from Loyola with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1995.

Thornton was a two-time Major League Soccer (MLS) Goalkeeper of the Year (1998 and 2009) and six-time All-Star (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009) during his 16-year professional career.

After debuting with the New York Metro Stars in 1996, he went on to play nine seasons with the Chicago Fire (1998-2006).

Thornton also spent time with the Colorado Rapids (2007), New York Red Bulls (2008) and Chivas USA (2008-2011).

Internationally, he was a member of the U.S. National Team (1994-2001), collecting eight national team appearances.

Thornton has also been elected into the NJCAA Soccer (2000) and NJCAA Region XX (2006) halls of fame.

Click here to view the entire list of CCBC Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.