Former U.S. international Conor Casey (pictured) enjoyed a 16-year professional football, before announcing his retirement on October 27, 2016. (Photo: Celso Bayo/isiphotos.com)

 

COLUMBUS – Columbus Crew SC forward Conor Casey, a former United States international, announced Thursday his retirement from football.

After starting his professional career in Germany in 2000, the 35-year-old played 10 years for multiple clubs in Major League Soccer. With 71 career goals in 195 MLS games, Casey is tied for 23rd all-time on the scoring list, earning an MLS Cup title with the Colorado Rapids in 2010.

“I feel very fortunate today. I've been able to make a life from doing what I love,” he said. “This beautiful game has brought me all over the world, shown me places and people I would have never seen. From empty training fields to packed stadiums with screaming fans, it has given me back everything I've poured into many times over.”

Casey signed with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund in 2000, also going on to play for Hannover 96, Karlsruher SC and FSV Mainz 05, totaling 44 appearances in the 1. Bundesliga and 49 in the 2. Bundesliga.

In 2007, he returned to North America after joining Toronto FC. Casey was traded to Colorado on April 19 of that year, where he went on to score 50 goals in 119 matches with the club. Prior to the 2013 campaign, Casey moved to the Philadelphia Union, where he notched his fourth double-digit MLS goal-scoring season that year (10 goals).

Internationally, Casey won 19 caps for the United States, scoring two goals. He made his senior debut on March 31, 2004, against Poland. On October 10, 2009, he netted two goals at Honduras in a CONCACAF qualifier for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Casey also competed in the 2000 Olympic Games.

Casey’s MLS Cup title with the Colorado Rapids came back in 2010, his fourth year with the club. He scored the game-tying goal in the 57th minute of the 2010 MLS Cup against FC Dallas and was named MLS Cup MVP following the match. In 2009, following a career-best 16 goal campaign, Casey was named to the MLS Best XI.

“I want to congratulate Conor Casey on a long and prosperous career in professional soccer,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. "I have had the pleasure of getting to know Conor and throughout our time together, Conor was a consummate professional, a prolific goal scorer and had a tremendous work ethic that I admired.”