Eddie Pope, one of the greatest defenders in the history of American soccer, is ready to call it a career — a mighty fine one at that.
Pope, 33, who's played in three World Cups and 236 career MLS games, announced prior to Thursday's match with FC Dallas that he's retiring at the end of the 2007 season.
He said his decision had more to do with pain than performance.
"We've had to play a lot of defense this year, and I actually feel I'm as strong as I've ever been, but the issue is when the games are over and dealing with the pain," said Pope.
Pope joked that when you're in pain in the morning, in pain before practice, during practice and after practice, it's time to change professions.
At the end of last season, Pope admits he was about 95 percent sure that 2007 would be his last hurrah, but he didn't want to make it official until he was 100 percent sure. After talking with his family, and listening to his body, he's confident that time is now.
"The other thing that goes on top of that is next year, can I give 110 percent on the turf again with my knees, with the back, things like that," said Pope. "Whenever you're playing on a team, you have to be able to give 110 percent and that certainly factored in as well."
Ironically enough, despite the nagging aches and pains, giving 110 percent hasn't been an issue at all for Pope this year.
After retiring from the U.S. National Team last summer, for the first time in his 12-year career Pope was void of any national team obligations this preseason, a big reason why he admits it was one of the best preseasons of his career. He believes that quality has transferred onto the pitch this year, despite RSL's struggles this year.
Pope is the fourth MLS original to call it quits this year.
Prior to the start of the 2007, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones announced that this was his final season, while Chicago midfielder Chris Armas did the same less than a month into the season. In early May, Pope's former Real Salt Lake teammate Jason Kreis announced his immediate retirement from the league to take over as RSL coach.
"It's interesting the timing of our bodies, it's all coincided," said Pope.
Aside for Pope, Armas, Kreis and Jones, only four other active players have played in every season since Major League Soccer's inception in 1996 — Chivas USA's Ante Razov and Jesse Marsch, New England's Steve Ralston and D.C. United's Jaime Moreno
Pope played with three teams during his 12-year career, including the last three with Real Salt Lake. His first seven were with D.C. United, a stretch in which he helped the club capture three MLS Cup championships. He spent 2003 and 2004 with the MetroStars before being acquired by RSL in a trade just prior to the 2005 season.
Some of Pope's career accolades include 10-time MLS All-Star, four-time finalist of MLS Defender of the Year and winner in 1997, four-time member of MLS Best XI squad and 2004 MLS Fair Play Award winner.
Looking back on his career, both internationally and domestically, Pope believes his greatest memory is of the 2002 World Cup, in which the U.S. National Team surprised the world by advancing to the quarterfinals.
"The 2002 World Cup was unbelievable as a player, beating Mexico is exciting anytime, but when you can do it in a World Cup in a big game like that, that to me was one of the greatest days of my career," said Pope.
Having just retired himself, Kreis understands Pope's decision, but he also admits for selfish reasons he wish he wasn't.
"For me as the coach of Eddie, I would love for it not to happen to be honest," said Kreis. "He is my captain, he is probably the most important figure on the field for us at the moment, he is the best defender in the league, he is the best defender the league's ever seen, and he's the best defender the country has ever produced. So it's difficult for me as the coach of this team to be losing that sort of talent, that sort of leadership and that sort of experience."
Kreis still has Pope's abilities for 20 games, and Pope is hoping to accomplish something positive.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com