| |
|
Germany 2006 marked Reyna's fourth World Cup.
© John Todd / isiphotos.com
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
HAMBURG, Germany (June 23, 2006) — U.S. National Team midfielder and longtime team-captain Claudio Reyna announced his retirement from international soccer on Friday in Hamburg, Germany. The official announcement was made just one day after the USA’s elimination from the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
“This was my last game,” Reyna said. “I decided that before the World Cup. It was clear that four years was too much time for the next one, so it just makes sense to stop now. It’s a good time to stop playing at a good level."
Widely hailed as the most skillful player ever produced in the United States, Reyna finished his career with 112 caps and eight goals. His cap total is fourth all-time in U.S. Men’s National Team history, and his 19 career assists ranks third. Reyna also played in a team-best 31 World Cup qualifying games (tied with Kasey Keller) and represented the United States at the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups, in addition to the 1992 and 1996 Olympics Games.
“The greatest comment I’ve heard about Claudio from a fellow player was Earnie Stewart saying that he brings peace to the game,” U.S. manager Bruce Arena said. “He established such a comfort level for our players in big games, all along. He’s been there in all the big games in the World Cups. He was part of what everyone will view to date as our greatest moment in the 2002 World Cup.
“When we look down the road to the day where we eventually win a World Cup, Claudio is still going to be remembered as one of the greats and one of the pioneers.”
In 2002, the New Jersey native became the first player in U.S. history to be named to the FIFA World Cup All-Star First Team after leading the team on their run to the quarterfinals of that tournament. He played one of his finest matches for the United States in the team’s 2-0 second-round defeat of Mexico, setting up the USA’s first goal and tirelessly patrolling the right flank throughout the match.
“Playing in World Cups are definitely milestones,” Reyna said. “I would have been happy to play in one when I made the first one in 1994. To make four is something beyond my dreams. I would have never thought that growing up. Those have definitely been highlights, and 2002, getting to the quarterfinals, was an amazing turning point for the program.”
Reyna has played professionally in Europe for 12 seasons across three leagues (Bundesliga, Scottish Premier League and English Premier League) and commanded the highest-ever transfer fee for an American in England back in 2001 when he moved from Glasgow Rangers to Sunderland ($5.7 million). He will enter his fourth season with Manchester City in the EPL during the 2006-07 season.
CLAUDIO REYNA
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Springfield, New Jersey
Club: Manchester City (England)
DOB: July 20, 1973
MNT Career Stats
GP: 112 – Goals: 8
World Cup Stats
GP: 10 – Goals: 0
World Cup Qualifying Stats
GP: 31 – Goals: 1
Year GP/GS MIN G A Pts Y R W-L-T
1994 19/8 973 2 1 5 2 0 5-5-9
1995 9/8 631 1 3 5 2 0 3-4-2
1996 14/12 1113 1 3 5 1 0 9-3-2
1997 11/10 864 1 1 3 3 0 3-4-4
1998 9/8 705 1 2 4 2 0 3-6-0
1999 4/4 360 1 0 2 0 0 2-1-1
2000 12/11 1000 1 3 5 0 0 6-2-4
2001 6/6 492 0 1 1 2 0 4-0-2
2002 8/8 635 0 0 0 1 0 2-5-1
2003 5/4 249 0 1 1 1 0 4-1-0
2004 8/8 690 0 3 3 1 0 5-1-2
2005 3/3 270 0 1 1 1 0 1-2-0
2006 4/4 234 0 0 0 1 0 0-3-1
Totals 112/94 8216 8 19 35 17 0 47-37-28
Did you know?