Veteran center back Bobby Boswell is officially on the move, with Atlanta United announcing Tuesday that they had acquired the two-time MLS Best XI center back from D.C. United. Atlanta will send a third-round pick in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft in exchange.
“Bobby’s significant MLS experience and proven leadership will be a huge contribution, both on and off the field, as we make a push for the playoffs,” said Atlanta United technical director Carlos Bocanegra in a team statement announcing the move.
Boswell, 34, has 365 career MLS appearances under his belt (including 360 starts, third most for a field player in league history), during stints with the Houston Dynamo and D.C. In the 2017 season, he has started 10 games and scored one goal. He originally came into the league with D.C. in 2005 and quickly earned a starting spot, eventually helping United to the 2006 and 2007 Supporters' Shield titles and earning himself 2006 MLS Defender of the Year honors.
The Dynamo acquired Boswell in a trade following the 2007 campaign, and he continued to find more success in Texas. He was a regular starter in each of this six seasons in Houston and helped the team to back-to-back MLS Cup finals appearances in 2011 and 2012, both of which they lost to the LA Galaxy. D.C. re-acquired Boswell in the Re-Entry Draft following the 2013 season.
Boswell has played in the postseason in all but one of his 13 seasons in MLS.
“Bobby has played an integral role in the history of this club,” Dave Kasper, United general manager and VP of soccer operations, said in a team statement. “He’s one of the fiercest competitors this league has ever seen and his dedication for winning has had a profound and consistent effect on our locker room for the seven seasons he has played for D.C. United. He’s a true professional and we wish him luck in his next chapter in Atlanta.”
