TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Retirement
After a decade in MLS, LA Galaxy attacker Chris Pontius has announced his retirement.
The 32-year-old made 259 appearances in the league after being selected No. 7 overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, adding 52 goals and 38 assists. He had two goals and three assists in 18 appearances (six starts) in 2019 for the Galaxy.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have played the sport I love during the last 11 years,” Pontius said in a club statement. “The game has given so much to me and as I look back on my time in Major League Soccer, I am filled with pride in not only what I accomplished during my career, but also for being a part of the growth of this league from when I joined it in 2009."
In addition to his stellar MLS career, Pontius made five appearances with the US national team.
"As I start this next chapter of my career, I want to say thank you all my teammates, coaches and the fans that I have met along the way," Pontius said. "Your love, support and dedication have impacted me immeasurably and I will always be thankful. In addition to everything on the field, the friendships I have made in will last a lifetime. I want to also thank my wife, Alex, for being my companion and constantly supporting me in this journey.”
Pontius spent the first seven seasons of his career with D.C. United before moving to the Philadelphia Union in 2016, when he won MLS Comeback Player of the Year. He was also named to the MLS Best XI in 2012.
