Major League Soccer original Mark Chung has announced his retirement, bringing to a close a long, successful career. The veteran midfielder, who ended his career with the San Jose Earthquakes, spent time with four different clubs in the league and represented the U.S. national team many times.
While he was never an attention-stealing player, Chung was one of the most consistent performers in league history, steadily piling up 61 career goals and 76 career assists, sitting just outside the top 10 all-time in the former category and eight all-time in the latter. He is also among the all-time league leaders in games played, minutes played, shots, shots on goal and game-winning goals.
Also selected for the league's Best XI in 1997, 2002 and 2003 and the All-Star Game in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003, the 35-year-old Florida native will forever be remembered as a wily and dangerous winger. He was a constant threat to opposing defenses on the flanks, possessing impressive ball skills and passing ability.
He began his MLS career with the Kansas City Wiz (now the Wizards) in 1996. He played in all 32 games for Kansas City that season, tallying eight goals and nine assists. The next year, he notched 10 goals and eight assists to earn the first of his Best XI nods and the first of his five All-Star appearances.
After playing three seasons in Kansas City, Chung played three seasons with the MetroStars and three-plus seasons with the Colorado Rapids. He was traded from the Rapids to the San Jose Earthquakes early in the 2005 season and helped lift the Quakes to the league's best record and the only undefeated home campaign in MLS history.
For all of his individual success, Chung was never able to capture a championship trophy, missing out on both the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup. In 24 appearances for the U.S. national team from 1992-98, Chung scored two goals.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
