Veteran center-back Bobby Boswell has announced his retirement at age 34 after 13 seasons in Major League Soccer.
The 2006 MLS Defender of the Year, Boswell played six and a half years over two stints with D.C. United and another six seasons with the Houston Dynamo, before finishing his career with Atlanta United.
He played in 366 MLS games, the eighth most all-time, sixth among outfield players. His 32,233 minutes rank sixth among all players, and fourth for outfield players.
He announced he was hanging up his boots on Twitter on Monday, saying he has returned to live in Houston, where he played from 2008-2013.
It's been a hell of a ride. From my family to yours, thanks for the support along the way. We have moved back to Houston & started the next chapter of our lives. I am retired from playing professional soccer. pic.twitter.com/8ZqCR1jRhK
— Bobby Boswell (@bobbyboswell) February 12, 2018
Boswell made an immediate impact for D.C. after starring at Florida International and was named the league's best defender in just his second season.
He joined the Dynamo after the 2007 season but returned to RFK Stadium in 2014, when he made his second appearance on the MLS Best XI.
But Boswell found playing time hard to come by in the final year of his contract last season and D.C. traded him in August to Atlanta, where he made only one appearance.
Boswell made three international appearances with the United States in 2006 and 2007. Long known for his sense of humor, Boswell announced his retirement from the national team last month.