Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
One of U.S. Soccer’s most perseverant players has played his last game.
Jay DeMerit has announced his retirement in an open letter to Vancouver Whitecaps fans. DeMerit’s decision comes after two injury-plagued seasons in Vancouver in which the centerback suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener in 2013 and another torn tendon in his left ankle in June.
DeMerit, 34, leaves the game after an admirable career that saw him work his way up the divisions in England before making the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 2010 World Cup roster. He started all four of the Americans’ games that summer in South Africa, and made 25 appearances for the U.S. in total.
He was the first player signed by the Whitecaps in November 2010 in preparation for the club’s entry into MLS. In his three-and-a-half seasons in Vancouver, DeMerit made 69 league starts in 71 appearances and had a goal and an assist.
Before arriving in MLS and becoming an MLS All-Star in 2012, DeMerit spent the bulk of his career at Watford. He helped the club reach the Premiership and served for some time as the Hornets’ captain.
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