Hendrickson announces retirement

Veteran Crew defender Ezra Hendrickson announced his retirement Thursday, ending a stellar, 14-year professional career. Hendrickson capped his 12-season tenure in Major League Soccer by helping the Crew to its first MLS Cup Championship in 2008. It was the third MLS Cup title of his career.

"I want to thank God for giving me the ability to do something I love for such a long time," Hendrickson said. "I'd also like to thank my family for all their support. I have been fortunate to make some wonderful friends and play with some of the top players in the league. I've played for some of the top organizations and enjoyed the support of all the fans. I intend to stay in the soccer world and continue to help the sport grow in the United States. But at this point, I'm happy to finish my playing career as a champion with the Columbus Crew."

Hendrickson, who turns 37 next week, was originally acquired by the Crew from Chivas USA on April 28, 2006 and appeared in 60 games with 48 starts during his three-year stint with the club, recording two goals and two assists. He made 13 appearances with seven starts during the Crew's Supporters' Shield-winning regular season in 2008, and also made one appearance as a substitute during the club's championship run in the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs.

"On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to thank Ezra for his many contributions to the Columbus Crew and congratulate him on a remarkable career," said Crew President & General Manager Mark McCullers. "We valued the versatility, work ethic and veteran leadership he brought to our team and there is no question that they contributed to our success. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

The Layou, St. Vincent, native enjoyed a standout, 12-year career in MLS, including stints with New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, D.C. and Chivas USA, in addition to the Crew. Hendrickson retires from MLS with 266 total appearances, including 225 starts, 23 goals and 30 assists. He also appeared in 32 MLS Cup playoff games during his lengthy career, 26 of them starts, and tallied five goals and three assists.

Hendrickson began his career in 1997 with the then-New York/New Jersey MetroStars, before joining Los Angeles prior to season's end. He totaled six seasons in Los Angeles and was a key component of the club's success as CONCACAF Champions Cup champions in 2000, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Champions in 2001 and MLS Cup Champions in 2002. He was also named the squad's Most Valuable Player for the 2001 season.

Hendrickson was traded to Dallas during the 2003 season and then signed with D.C. United during the 2004 MLS campaign after beginning the season with the Charleston Battery of the A-League. He was a key contributor to D.C. United's MLS Cup Championship in 2004, making 14 total appearances in that season, including the full 90 minutes in the Eastern Conference Final.

Hendrickson spent the 2005 season with Chivas USA, making 31 appearances, all starts, with the expansion side, while recording three goals and one assist, before being acquired by the Black & Gold in the early portion of the 2006 campaign.

The Drake University product launched his professional career with two seasons with New Orleans of the USISL Select League (1995-96). He also enjoyed a successful 12-year career as a member of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national team and served as its captain on numerous occasions.

Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it is currently the reigning MLS Cup Champion and it has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship and MLS Supporters' Shield titles in 2004 and 2008. It will open its 14th season and defense of its MLS Cup championship on Saturday, March 21, at the Houston Dynamo and will open its 11th season in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium on Saturday, March 28, against Toronto FC.