It’s almost like a group of former U.S internationals agreed for 2018 to be their last year in soccer. After striker Clint Dempsey and midfielder Jermaine Jones decided to call it quits earlier this summer, defender Oguchi Onyewu also chose to follow their footsteps and announce retirement from soccer. Onyewu, who last played for MLS side Philadelphia Union, revealed his decision via several posts on social media.
“From a lanky kid growing up in Olney MD, to playing for some of the greatest clubs in the world… this sport gave me so much!” – the 36-year-old wrote on Instagram.
Oguchi Onyewu started his professional career with French side Metz, before moving on to play for several high-profile European clubs as Newcastle United, AC Milan, Sporting CP, and Malaga. Towards the end of his career, Onyewu decided to come to Major League Soccer, where he signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia Union in 2017. He ended up playing 22 games for the team and scored one goal, but was eventually released at the end of the season.
Early in his career, Oguchi Onyewu represented the United States at youth levels, before making his senior debut against Panama in 2004. He played a total of 69 games for USMNT and was part of the team’s roster at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
