Jonathan Bornstein

BIOGRAPHY

Jonathan Bornstein was born November 7, 1984, in Torrance, California. He is a defender in the MLS. 

Bornstein was selected by Chivas USA in the fourth round (37th overall) at the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. A forward in college, he was converted to a left-back by Chivas coach Bob Bradley and was his team's surprising starter at the position when the season opened. Injuries and suspensions forced Bornstein back into an attacking role for Chivas USA's June 3 match against FC Dallas, where the rookie scored his first MLS goal. He continued his fine play in the back and also contributed to the attack during the rest of the season, finishing the year with four assists and six goals, leading all rookies. He started every game in the season, and his total of 2,878 minutes played was the third-highest in the league. He was rewarded for his fine form by winning the 2006 MLS Rookie of the Year Award. In 2007 he was an MLS All-Star and named to the MLS Best XI as one of the best 11 players in Major League Soccer. In 2008, Bornstein suffered a knee injury that affected him throughout the spring. When he came back, Chivas coach Preki began to employ him in an attacking capacity, which Bornstein trained for in his youth. He repeated as an MLS All-Star in 2008. In the summer of 2008, Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv was reportedly interested in Bornstein. News stories claimed that the offer involved a transfer fee of $750,000 and would increase the player's salary five-fold, to around $500,000 a season. Bornstein was apparently unenthusiastic, fearing that such a move could cost him his place in the U.S. national team. In 2009 he was the Chivas USA Defender of the Year (2009) and captain. In five seasons with Chivas USA (2006–10), Bornstein made 123 regular-season appearances (117 starts).

The Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer acquired him from Maccabi Netanya on July 22, 2019. The team signed Bornstein to a contract through 2020, with a 2021 club option which the team exercised in July 2020. In 2019 he played in 11 starts in his first season with the Fire.