Revolution's Reis announces retirement

Foxborough, MA (SportsNetwork.com) - New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis announced his retirement from professional soccer on Wednesday.

Reis, 38, is calling it a career after 16 seasons in Major League Soccer. He split his professional career between the Los Angeles Galaxy (1998-2002) and the Revolution (2003-13).

Reis is a four-time MLS all-star and a four-time finalist for MLS goalkeeper of the year. He concludes his career ranked in the top five in almost every career goalkeeping category: games played (fourth, 282), games started (fourth, 288), minutes played (fourth, 25,936), wins (fifth, 110) and saves (fifth, 1,114). He was also sixth in shutouts (75).

"I have been truly blessed for the past 16 years," Reis said. "I've been able to do something that I love -- play soccer for a living. There have been many coaches who have influenced my development and helped get me to this point, and I have played with some fantastic players, many of whom are friends for life.

"I have played for two amazing organizations over the years. Both of those owners, the Kraft family and Mr. Anschutz, are deeply committed to ensuring soccer thrives in the United States. Because of their guidance, MLS has come a long way in the last two decades, and I am very proud to have played my whole career in this league and with these teams. I also want to make sure the fans know how much I'll miss them, too. They've made this amazing ride more fun to be on through the years."

Reis began his professional career with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 1998 after playing collegiately at UCLA. Following a four-year career with the Bruins -- in which he helped the school win the 1997 NCAA Championship while earning College Cup Defensive MVP honors -- the Galaxy drafted him in the third round of the 1998 MLS College Draft.

Reis saw limited playing time in Los Angeles and was traded to New England in January 2003. He started all three of the Revolution's three-straight MLS Cup appearances (2005, 2006 and 2007) and also won the 2007 U.S. Open Cup and the 2008 SuperLiga titles with the Revolution. He retires as the Revolution's longest-tenured player in club history, playing for the team for 11 seasons, longer than any other player.

"Trading for Matt Reis was one of the best acquisitions the Revolution has ever made," said Revolution investor/operator Robert Kraft. "On the field, he was an elite MLS goalkeeper who set every career goalkeeping record in club history. He was a respected leader, both on the field and in the locker room, for more than a decade. He quickly became a fan-favorite and, for much of his career, was one of the faces of our franchise."