By AVI CREDITOR
Another old-timer has decided to hang up his cleats.
Defender Carey Talley, who played with six teams over a 13-year career, retired on Wednesday.
Talley, drafted by D.C. United in 1998, had career stops with Kansas City, Dallas, Salt Lake, Chivas USA and a return to D.C. before being traded to the New York Red Bulls toward the end of last season. His 315 appearances rank eighth all-time in Major League Soccer.
The 34-year-old Talley cited "an ongoing injury" as his reason for retiring. He may not be permanently removed from the game, though. Reports suggest that Talley interviewed for the assistant coaching job at Real Salt Lake that ultimately went to C.J. Brown, and he could be a candidate for other coaching jobs down the line.
Here are a few more items involving MLS teams:
DYNAMO ADD SOTO, DIXON
The Houston Dynamo continued its offseason rebuilding project by adding two homegrown players to its roster. Southern Methodist Univeristy midfielder Josue Soto and North Carolina forward Alex Dixon signed contracts with the club today, making them the third and fourth homegrown players on the team (goalkeeper Tyler Deric and midfielder Francisco Navas Cobo are the others).
Soto mistakenly took part in the MLS Combine even though Houston had filed the paperwork with the league to sign him as a homegrown player. He impressed at the combine and likely would have been a late-first or early-second-round pick had he been available in the MLS SuperDraft.
Dixon is the sixth member of the Tar Heels to join MLS this offseason. Jalil Anibaba, Eddie Ababio, Michael Farfan and Stephen McCarthy were taken in the SuperDraft, and Dustin McCarty was selected in the supplemental draft.
CREW KEEPS GRIFFIT
The Columbus Crew re-signed seldom-used French midfielder Leandre Griffit.
The well-traveled Griffit, who appeared in three regular-season games and five CONCACAF Champions League matches, tallied two goals in all competitions last season.
SPORTING KC RE-SIGNS HARRINGTON
Sporting Kansas City took a step in fortifying its defense by agreed to terms with right back Michael Harrington, according to the team's Twitter feed.
Harrington started 29 games for the team last season.
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What's your favorite Talley memory? Like the homegrown signings for Houston? Think that Griffit will play more of a part for the Crew this year? Happy that Harrington is staying in Kansas City?
Share your thoughts below.
nice tidbit
Talley was a grinder. Much respect and best wishes for his post playing career. I always that that guy had a lot of leadership and was able to help nuture younger players.
+1
A friend of mine (also season ticket holder) saw Trey Fitzgerald at the SLC airport this morning. Said that unless Talley gets a head coaching job, he will be at RSL-AZ working with the kids, taking over for Vanney!
I loved Talley’s fire when he played for RSL. Those were some dark years but it was nice to see a player that actually gave a crap game in and game out with those teams. Whenever he made a nice play my friends and I would all be sure to give a hearty “Talley HO!” I’d love to see him back with RSL in some capacity as well.
He missed most of his first two seasons, one with a broken toe, one with mono. I don’t think he’s yet recovered from missing so much time. Also, I thought he was projected as a CB? Could be wrong on that, but I know one of their other defensive picks that year, Jonathan Leathers, was an RB.
Here is to the retiring guy. Go forth brother, godspeed.
DC will add Ethan White, Perry Kitchen and Conor Shanosky. Pretty tough defensive additions.
If Chris Korb (from Akron) and Josh Wolf work out as role players, you could see a serious turn around at that club. Especially with Hamid and Najar coming back into this season with experience.
It will be interesting! That is why this league is great! It allows for teams to go up and down based on management, unlike most leagues where it is a lot about money.
Red Bulls traded a 2nd rounder for like 20 minutes of play in the end, right?
Exactly! I didn’t think I could get this excited about an off-season, but here we go.
Love all the new depth. Houston is really stocking up. I think that they can polish these new guys in the Open Cup and reserve league over the next year, and even if 2011 isn’t spectacular, 2012 is sure looking bright. Of course, there are still some roster spots to fill, so maybe Houston can dig up the next Lindpere, Ferreira or Saborio to make a splash this season. Lots to be excited about.
Houston has had a great off-season. Love the new players. Like the new shirt. And supposedly breaking ground on the new stadium at the end of January. Vamos Naranja!
Myers is a benchwarmer.
Happy as hell that Harrington re-signed.
Sporting Kansas City took a step in fortifying its defense by agreed to terms with right back Michael Harrington
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What ever happened KC’s former #1 overall pick, and RB, Chance Myers?
Carey was always a class act and fan fave wherever he went. Would be super excited to see him come back to RSL in some capacity. Take over for Greg Vanney at RSL-AZ, perhaps?
as an FCD fan i have to admit signing soto gives the Dynamo by far the best off season IMO
@JohnC
Dixon was hit by the injury bug. He is a speedy forward. He finally got back into shape for UNC around the tournament, where he had an assist and a goal, IIRC.
That is Bruin, Sarkodie, Dixon, and Soto. That is a damn good offseason, if I do say so myself.
IVES,
I hear the Dynamo are bringing a bunch of South Americans next week on trial. Any idea who they might be?
Does anyone have any insight on Dixon? Looking at his stats, he seem to have a down year this year compared to his first two at UNC.