Seattle Sounders’ Harry Shipp announced on Tuesday that he is retiring from professional soccer. The news came as a surprise to many, considering that Shipp is only 28 years old.
Shipp walks away after playing 152 games in Major League Soccer in the previous seven years. He spent time with Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact but left the biggest mark with the Sounders.
“This was not an easy decision because of all the amazing people at the Sounders, but I am excited to take this next step in my life,” said Shipp. “I am grateful that I was able to live out my childhood dreams. I grew up going to MLS games, was part of an MLS Academy in its infancy, and then got the opportunity to play for three clubs all over the continent.”
Shipp joined the Seattle Sounders back in 2017 and has since played 69 games with the club in all competitions while scoring 11 goals. He helped the team win MLS Cup in 2019 and was poised to play a role this season as well, having made an appearance in Seattle’s first two games in 2020.
“Harry has been a valuable asset to our club and helped us win a championship this past year. Since he arrived in Seattle, Harry has shown that he is a reliable player and a consummate professional” said Sounders’ head coach Brian Schmetzer in a team statement.
During his time in Seattle, Shipp also served as Sounders’ representative in MLS Player’s Union and will most likely turn to executive business full time after retirement. Alongside his retirement statement, Shipp also revealed that his next step will be pursuing an MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
