Longtime MLS veterans Justin Mapp and Chris Rolfe each officially announced their retirements on Thursday, though neither had played during the 2017 season.
The duo, who spent five seasons together early in their careers with the Chicago Fire, depart after a combined 548 league appearances over an aggregate of 25 seasons in the league.
Mapp, 33, spent his entire professional career in MLS, where he won a Supporters' Shield, two US Open Cups and two Canadian Championships. The midfielder made his debut with D.C. United in 2002 before joining the Fire the following season, he moved to the Philadelphia Union in 2010, and then in 2012 moved again to become a vital contributor with the Montreal Impact in their first four years in MLS.
In late 2015, he made league history as the first player to sign a veteran free agent contract, inking a deal with Sporting Kansas City.
Mapp only made six league appearances during the 2016 season and failed to catch on with a team for the 2017 campaign. He finishes with 22 goals and 65 assists over 309 league appearances.
Rolfe, 34, played 10 seasons in MLS (with two years in the Danish league sandwiched in the middle), and won a US Open Cup in 2006, his second pro season. A versatile attacker who could play forward or wide midfield, he also experienced a career rebirth after departing Chicago, scoring 16 times following joining D.C. in 2014. He was an integral part of helping his second and final club rebound from a miserable 2013 season that was arguably the worst in league history. His 10 goals during 2015 were a career high.
Unlike Mapp, Rolfe remained on a roster through 2017, but had not seen the field since 2016 due to lingering injuries. He finishes his career with 64 goals and 33 assists in 239 league games.
