Heath Pearce

Experienced Chivas USA defender and member of the United States National Team, Heath Pearce returns to Chivas USA since first signing with the club on February 15, 2011. Pearce had an extraordinary 2011, making 30 appearances (29 starts) with Chivas USA, receiving various call-up’s to the U.S. National Team, as well as his second-consecutive MLS All-Star Team and receiving Chivas USA’s Defender of the Year Award. The Modesto, Calif. native has played professionally in Denmark and Germany before joining Dallas in 2009, and the University of Portland alum played 28 games (27 starts) in 2010, notching six assists and helping Dallas to the Western Conference Championship.

Pearce joins Chivas USA having established himself as one of the top defenders in MLS and in the United States National Team pool. After playing three seasons at the University of Portland, the left back joined FC Nordsjælland of Denmark, playing 50 games in two seasons for the club, scoring twice. He then switched to German side Hansa Rostock, playing 30 games and scoring two goals with the club. In late 2009, he signed with FC Dallas and played the bulk of the 2010 season at right defender.

Making his United States National Team debut in November 2005 against Scotland, Pearce has emerged as one of the top choices for the team at left back, battling primarily with former Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein for the job. He was on the squad at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup as well as the 2009 Gold Cup, and was on the preliminary 30-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, though he was not selected to the final 23-player team. Pearce speaks several languages, including Spanish.