FC Dallas's Bobby Rhine announced Wednesday that he will retire from professional soccer following the team's last game of this season on Sunday, Oct. 26 at the LA Galaxy. Rhine, who has played his entire 10-year career with FC Dallas, is one of only 17 players in League history to have played at least 200 games for one team.
The team's first round pick, sixth overall, in the 1999 MLS SuperDraft, he started his career as a forward, was converted to a right back during the 2005 season, and has played right midfield the past two years. His 211 games played in a Dallas uniform places him second on the team's all-time list, his 34 assists are third most, and his 23 goals are the seventh most in team history.
Rhine wrote the following letter:
"It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from Major League Soccer following our last game of this season, on Sunday in Los Angeles. I am proud of my ten year career with the Dallas Burn and FC Dallas; however, I am sad to be leaving the game and the team that I love.
In my ten years with Dallas, I've played in many positions in three stadiums. I've had five coaches, hundreds of teammates, and I've met thousands of loyal fans. It's these people that have kept me motivated and striving for perfection in every game and in every season. I've had great professionals that I've learned from, and I've relished having the same responsibility toward my younger teammates in recent years.
In my first years as a professional, we were a league-owned team, with a locker room that consisted of a double-wide trailer at a local high school; and now, thanks to the Hunt Family, we play in one of the finest facilities in all of North America, Pizza Hut Park.
Looking back at my ten seasons in this League, I've seen so many new owners and investors; I've seen the opening of seven stadiums built for soccer; and I've seen tremendous growth on so many levels. As a result, we now have an established league that players from all countries can aspire to be a part of.
I want to thank all of my teammates, past and present; the Dallas soccer fans; and all the behind the scenes personnel. I especially want to thank my wife and my family for their support throughout my career and for helping me with the difficult decision to move on. While the competitor in me is still fierce, it is now time to turn my efforts towards winning in a different capacity. Thank you again for an amazing 10 years!"
Sincerely,
Bobby Rhine
