MLS veteran Percovich joins Fire coaching staff
Leo Percovich, a veteran coach with experience in MLS, La Liga and soccer clubs in Europe and South America, will join the Fire coaching staff as first assistant coach.
Percovich will join head coach Carlos de los Cobos and his staff ahead in time for the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday (11 a.m. ESPN2) in Baltimore.
“Leo is an accomplished coach with experience at the highest level,” Chicago Fire technical director Frank Klopas said in a statement released Wednesday morning. “He brings with him a unique perspective and a winning attitude.”
Percovich, 42, is a former Copa Libertadores and Uruguayan First Division champion. A native of Montevideo, Uruguay, he served as a goalkeeper coach with the Colorado Rapids (2006-2007) and Chivas USA (2008-2009) before joining Toronto FC as an assistant coach in 2009.
Percovich has trained under various coaches throughout Europe and Latin America, including spending time with club sides Real Madrid, Valencia, Stuttgart, Cruzeiro, and Pachuca as well as the national teams of Brazil, France, and Uruguay.
In his time as a player, Percovich made six appearances with the Uruguayan National Team during a professional career that saw him suit up for Nacional de Montevideo (1987-1993), Atletico Mineiro (1994), Guarani FC (1995), Fluminense FC (1995-1999), as well as Alianza de Lima in 2000 and Racing de Ferrot in 2001.