Carson, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Pablo Mastroeni announced his retirement on Tuesday, bringing an end to a storied 16-year professional soccer career.
A veteran of two FIFA World Cups with the United States national team and a nine-time MLS All-Star, Mastroeni ranks eighth in MLS history with 334 regular season games played and fifth all-time with 316 regular season games started.
The 37-year-old is most remembered for his time with the Colorado Rapids, who he captained to their only MLS Cup triumph in 2010.
"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 in a statement. "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 accumulated 65 caps with the U.S. national team, 50 of which came under Bruce Arena's watch as head coach. The North Carolina State product scored seven goals and added 27 assists in his MLS career.
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