LA Galaxy and former US Men’s National Team midfielder Pablo Mastroeni announced today that he is retiring from the game.
The 37-year-old leaves a legacy that includes a Supporters Shield in 2001, a MLS Cup championship in 2010 with the Colorado Rapids, nine MLS All-Star appearances and two World Cups.
In his 16 year career, Mastroeni appeared in 334 regular season games and started 316 of them.
“After spending the last 16 years playing in Major League Soccer and with the U.S. National Team, I have decided that this is the appropriate time to retire from the game,” Mastroeni said. “I am honored to have spent my entire professional club career playing in MLS and I now look forward to watching this league continue to grow as I begin the next stage of my life.”
Mastroeni ended his career with the LA Galaxy, to whom he was traded in mid June and went on to play nine regular season matches and three CONCACAF Champions League games. Prior to that he spent 11 years with the Rapids, where he went in 2001 after the Miami Fusion were contracted.
Mastroeni spent four years with the Fusion, where he was drafted 2nd overall following a successful college career at North Carolina State. In Miami he appeared in 100 regular season games while in 2001 he earned a spot on the MLS Best XI while helping the Fusion claim the Supporters’ Shield.
He will be best known for the contributions he made at Colorado and the USMNT. At the Rapids, he set club records in games played (225), minutes played (18,669) and was selected the club’s Most Valuable Player in 2007, 2008 and 2010. For the US, he collected 65 caps, 50 of which came under Bruce Arena, playing in three games at the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea and two games at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
“We’d like to congratulate Pablo on his 16-year professional career,” said LA Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena. “Pablo is a special player who made every team he was on better. His presence, work ethic and enthusiasm for the game made him a successful player on both the club and National Team level. We wish Pablo well in the next step of his career.”
Mastroeni is the latest in a string of iconic MLS players who have announced their retirement this year, joining Houston Dynamo striker Brian Ching, San Jose Earthquakes defender Ramiro Corrales, former Galaxy keeper Kevin Hartman and Sporting KC keeper Jimmy Nielsen.
Where Mastroeni chooses to go from here has yet to be determined but given his leadership skills, a future in coaching would seem a strong possibility.
