US Soccer Team Says Goodbye to Former Captain and Longtime Defender Carlos Bocanegra

Carlos Bocanegra will join Landon Donovan in retirement after his current MLS season ends with Chivas USA. The former U.S. Men's National Team captain and defender announced on Thursday he would be hanging up his cleats after a 15-year career.

Bocanegra was one of the team captains on the 2010 World Cup squad that lost to Ghana in the knockout stages. Known as a steady defenseman, Bocanegra spent most of his career abroad playing for Fulham in the English Premier League and also had stints with the Chicago Fire (MLS), Rennes (French Ligue 1), St-Etienne (French 1 Ligue), Rangers (Scottish Championship), Racing (Spanish Segunda), and Chivas USA (MLS). He played his most games with Fulham (105) and was named MLS Defender of the Year in both 2002 and 2003 as well as MLS Rookie of the Year in 2000.

But Bocanegra will be remembered most for his time spent on the U.S. Men's National Team. The 35-year-old began training for the national team in 1997 as a member of the under-18 team and eventually worked his way up to captain after the 2006 World Cup, during which he started two of the team's three games. He amassed 110 caps and 14 goals for the USMNT and served among the first generation of MLS American players who helped build U.S. soccer to what it is today.

Bocanegra released a statement regarding his retirement through U.S. Soccer:

"I was fighting through this decision this past offseason and thinking, 'How much longer am I going to play,' and 'What do I want to do with my career?' I'm still hungry for the game and I want to play, but unfortunately you can't play forever. The timing is right for me. It took me about six months to come to a final decision. I've known for a little while now in my mind and in my heart. I'm happy with it, and I'm looking forward to the new challenges."

Former USMNT coach Bob Bradley, who named Bocanegra captain of the 2010 World Cup team, weighed in on the defender's retirement, along with many others.

"From his first days with the Chicago Fire to captaining the National Team, Carlos was always a player that gave everything for the team," Bradley said via U.S. Soccer. "His presence and competitiveness were respected by everyone."

Unfortunately for Bocanegra, Chivas USA sits in last place of the MLS' Western Conference and is the second-worst team in the entire league. He may not see the playoffs in his final season, but the defender has much to hang his hat on.