Longtime MLS goalkeeper Jon Busch announced his retirement on Thursday, and he'll officially end his career where he started it.
Columbus Crew SC, where Busch played his first MLS game in 2002, announced Busch will sign a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the team. In accordance with that, the team will recognize the goalkeeper at halftime of Saturday's game against another of Busch's former teams, the Chicago Fire, at MAPFRE Stadium (7:30 pm ET | Full TV & Streaming Info).
Busch played for Columbus from 2002-06, winning the 2002 U.S. Open Cup and the 2004 Supporters' Shield, and making 84 MLS regular season appearances and seven MLS Cup Playoffs appearances for the side.
Following his stint in Columbus, Busch played for the Fire (2007-09, 2015) and the San Jose Earthquakes (2010-14). In 2008, he was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, and was named to the MLS Best XI that season. In 2012, he won a second Supporters' Shield with the Earthquakes. All told, Busch made 309 MLS regular season appearances in his career, as well as 18 MLS Cup Playoffs appearances in his career. In addition, he earned one cap with the US national team, in 2005.
Busch finishes fourth all-time in MLS history in regular-season appearances (309); fourth in minutes (27,725); third in shots faced (1,577); fourth in saves (1,151); fifth in wins (113); and fourth in shutouts (83).
After leaving the Fire following the 2015 season, Busch played two seasons for Indy Eleven, then in NASL, and went to the title game with that side in 2016.
“I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to retire as a Crew SC player,” said Jon Busch in a Crew SC statement. “I have played for three fantastic clubs, but Columbus has always been our home. So, it is only fitting that my career ends where it began.”
“We are excited to honor Jon after an incredibly successful career that began in MLS with the Black & Gold,” said sporting director and head coach Gregg Berhalter. “Not only was Jon a key member of the club during his time here, but Jon will also be remembered as one of the top goalkeepers in league history and we’re proud to recognize him at Saturday’s match. We want to congratulate him on a stellar career and wish him the best in the next chapter of his life.”
