Steve Cherundolo Announces Retirement

by Roderick MacNeil

Steve Cherundolo celebrates Landon Donovan’s dramatic game-winner at the 2010 World Cup. (AP Photo | Eugene Hoshiko)

The list of modern soccer players who spend their entire careers with one club is an increasingly short one. The lure of bigger money and greater glory creates a blur of activity between clubs, leagues and continents during each transfer window. Ryan Giggs (24 yrs at Manchester United), Francesco Totti (22 years at AS Roma), Steven Gerrard (16 years at Liverpool) and Xavi (16 years at Barcelona) are the rare exceptions. Alongside those greats you’ll find USMNT defender Steve Cherundolo, veteran of 15 years with Hannover 96 of the German Bundesliga.

On Wednesday Cherundolo announced his retirement from professional soccer. He’d served as Hannover’s captain during the past four seasons, representing the same club where he signed his first pro contract in 1998, and just last season became the team’s all-time leader in Bundesliga appearances. He’s regarded as a club legend in Hannover, and has long stood as a beacon of American soccer pride for his sustained success in a major European league.

USMNT fans will remember him fondly as a mainstay on the back line for over a decade. Cherundolo was named to the roster for the last three World Cups, participating in 2006 and 2010. He’s earned 87 career caps, which places him in the United States’ top 20 all-time.

“Dolo,” as he’s affectionately called by supporters, has had his share of injury troubles over the years. He missed the 2002 World Cup, most of the 2005 Gold Cup, the 2007 Gold Cup and the 2009 Confederations Cup as a result of various ailments. His most recent health struggles ultimately led to his retirement decision. Cherundolo has been unable to recover adequately from his current knee injury. His last appearance with Hannover was in December 2013, and he hasn’t been called in to the USMNT in over a year.

Dolo’s absence has led to a period of instability at right back with the USMNT. Timothy Chandler was projected by many to step into his shoes, but a perceived lack of commitment to the program, followed by a severe recent injury, have kept Chandler well out of the picture. Brad Evans, who plays in midfield the Seattle Sounders, took over as starting right back during most of World Cup qualifying and appears the incumbent starter but lacks experience at the position. Geoff Cameron has emerged this season at Stoke City, but Jurgen Klinsmann seems to prefer him in central defense or central midfield. Michael Parkhurst was the regular starter during the 2013 Gold Cup, and Fabian Johnson has earned starts at right back as well, but neither appears a probable starting option. Many fans have long been looking toward the healthy return of Cherundolo as the preferred solution. We now know for certain that Dolo has played his last game for the U.S. national team.

Cherundolo’s next venture is to step right into the coaching world. He’s been named as a “co-trainer” for Hannover 96’s U-23 side. Now that his playing days are over, it’s clear that his legacy will prove to be a lasting one on both sides of the Atlantic.

American Outposts: More Weekend USMNT Action Around Europe

The UMSNT news across the pond this weekend was a bit short on goal highlights. Nonetheless, some noteworthy updates from around Europe:

It was a solid day for Fabian Johnson with 1899 Hoffenheim in German Bundesliga action. His team fell behind 2:0 early and fought back to earn a draw vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach, thanks in no small part to Johnson’s efforts. Johnson started his second consecutive game at right back and served a critical role in helping his team pull level. He drew a penalty kick call that led to an 82nd minute game-tying goal, as Hoffenheim earned a point to pull 7 points clear of the drop zone. Fabian’s recent foray at right back adds another layer of intrigue to the USMNT depth chart. He’s been featured at both left back and left midfield by Jurgen Klinsmann, but isn’t a clear starter at either spot. The increased versatility shown by also having success on the right should even further solidify his inclusion on the World Cup roster.

Here’s the PK call and the resulting game-tying goal:

Shifting over the The Championship in England, American-born teenager Duane Holmes made his loan debut with Yeovil Town. Yeovil is in a dogfight to avoid relegation to Football League One, currently sitting last in the Championship table. The 19-year-old Holmes, in his debut on an emergency loan from Huddersfield Town, drew a critical PK call in the 57th minute against Doncaster Rovers. The resulting goal ended up being the only score of the game, as Yeovil earned a critical 1:0 victory to pull with three points of the safe zone.

Here’s the penalty call and the deciding goal.

Elsewhere in The Championship, Jonathan Spector returned to the Birmingham City lineup after a four-month injury absence. He started and played 90 minutes at right back alongside fellow American International Will Packwood in a 2:1 victory over Blackpool. Spector made his return after a long recovery from a thigh injury suffered in October.

Oguchi Onyewu returned to the lineup after missing several weeks with a calf injury. Onyewu started and went 90 minutes in a 2:0 over Huddersfield Town.

Eric Lichaj also returned from injury for Nottingham Forest, but remained on the bench in a 3:1 loss to Burnley.

Brek Shea came off the bench in the 63rd minute for Barnsley in a 1:0 win over Millwall, continuing a trend of reduced playing time, likely falling further off the World Cup radar.

And further east in Turkey, Jermaine Jones did not make the game day roster for Besiktas, who fell 1:0 in a key match at Galatasaray. It was previously thought that Jones was ready to return from injury. His availability for the upcoming Ukraine match remains in question.