Former USMNT Captain Carlos Bocanegra Announces Retirement Following 2014 Season

Former United State’s Men’s National Team Captain and current Chivas defender, Carlos Bocanegra, announced his retirement from soccer following the end of the current 2014 MLS season. Bocanegra has been playing professional soccer for 14 years and earned 110 appearances for the USMNT and scored 14 goals since his first call-up in 2001, as well as captaining the team for six years where he earned the nickname “Captain America”.

After playing at the University of California Los Angeles, Bocanegra was drafted by the Chicago Fire and signed a contract with Project-40 through MLS eventually winning MLS Rookie of the Year in 2000 after his first season with the Fire. Bocanegra found success in Chicago, becoming one of MLS’s best defenders and was the youngest player to win MLS Defender of the Year twice.

Bocanegra signed with Fulham after spending four years in Chicago, and was the second leading scorer during the 2006-2007 season with five goals only behind fellow American Brian McBride. After four years at Fulham including 116 appearances and eight goals, Bocanegra signed with French club Rennes. Bocanegra spent a number of successful years in Europe however he switched teams often including spending time with Saint-Étienne, Rangers and Racing Santander before expressing his desire to return to MLS and later signed with Chivas USA in 2013.

Since joining Chivas, Bocanegra has earned 30 appearances and has also been named captain by incoming coach Wilmer Cabrera. He has provided leadership for the struggling Goats team who finished 18th in MLS last season.

Receiving his first call-up for the USMNT senior team in 2001, Bocanegra has played in two World Cups and captained the team during the USMNT victory over Spain in the 2009 Confederation’s Cup. He also provided leadership when the United States traveled to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he started all four games.