Tearful Reyna announces retirement

NEWARK, N.J. -- Choking back tears, Claudio Reyna formally announced his retirement from professional soccer Wednesday afternoon, ending a storied 14-year career for one of the most decorated players in U.S. history.

The New York Red Bulls captain, who made the announcement at St. Benedict's Prep, where he was the only two-time Parade Magazine National High School Player of the Year ever, said he began contemplating retirement about six weeks ago, when he was sidelined with a herniated disc. It was just the latest in what was a long line of injuries for the technically gifted midfielder.

"You know when it's time to move on and call it a day and move on," Reyna said. "You just know. I guess to try to hang on or keep playing or look for another team, I never wanted to be that guy and be in that situation. ... There was not going to be any Brett Favre situations here or anything. I'm done."

Reyna, who turns 35 on Sunday, was a trailblazer in Europe, paving the way for dozens from the USA to play abroad. He was the first U.S. player to captain a European squad when he did so with Wolfsburg in Germany in 1998. Reyna, who would also captain Sunderland in the English Premier League, eventually earned the nickname "Captain America."

He was also the U.S. captain in two World Cup campaigns, helping lead the Americans to a stunning quarterfinal berth in 2002. Reyna, who scored eight goals internationally, has 112 caps, fourth all-time in U.S. history.

"Going over (to Europe) and starting to play when Americans were laughed at in soccer, to be honest, I have the memory of trying to get soccer going," Reyna said. "I think when I did what I did is something I'm very proud of." Six years ago, Reyna was in the crowd watching another former MetroStars and U.S. national team standout, Tab Ramos, announce his retirement in the same St. Benedict's room.

And on Wednesday Ramos was in the room, along with several members of the Reyna family, longtime St. Benedict's coach Rick Jacobs, MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio and Red Bulls sporting director Jeff Agoos among others.

"There was talk of possibly doing it in the city, (or) at Giants Stadium. It wouldn't be what this means to me personally," Reyna said, sitting on a large leather chair, alone on the dais. "It has a real special meaning to me -- this place, this school, and the people that are ironically still here, some past teammates that showed up today to support me. That kind of explains what this place is all about."

When he was at St. Benedict's, where he enjoyed a remarkable 65-0 record, Reyna said, he had very modest goals.

"All the playing is just a huge bonus," he said. "I grew up hoping I could get a scholarship and go to college."

He did that, going on to play for Bruce Arena at the University of Virginia, leading the Cavaliers to three consecutive NCAA championships from 1991 to 1993.

Reyna thanked many of those who were in the crowd, from former coaches and teammates to the media. But it was when Reyna mentioned his wife, former U.S. women's national team player Danielle Egan, as well as his three sons, Jack, Giovanni and Joe Michel, that the tears began to swell.

"Juan Carlos was right," Reyna said after having to take a moment to compose himself. "He told me I was going to cry and he was right. I lost the bet."

While Reyna's playing days are over, the Springfield, N.J., native will remain active in the game, serving as an ambassador for the New York Red Bulls.

"I'll be continuing with the New York Red Bulls in an ambassador role to help the first team, academy, in various other roles throughout the Red Bull organization here in the area and of course throughout the world," Reyna said.

Reyna also said he is interested in beginning a coaching career, much like many of his peers, citing Kansas City Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo.

"It's something I really want to do," Reyna said. "Some players retire when they stop playing and start coaching the next day; I never wanted to do that. There's a process behind that, and I'm going to start that process ... when the time is right."

Reyna came to Major League Soccer following a successful four-year stint at Manchester City, where he started 69 of the 77 games he played in. He became the Red Bulls' first designated player and was the first designated player to step on the field, when he started for New York in a scoreless draw at Columbus to open the 2007 season.

But Reyna played in just 27 games over his two seasons with the Red Bulls.

"There are so many reasons why I decided to stop, but simply I've just come to the conclusion that it's time, time to move on and to look back now that everything I achieved," Reyna said. "I'm very proud."