only Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad is older. Suarez has arguably had as storied a career as any player in the league. A product of Pumas UNAM, Suarez won championships in Mexico with Pumas and Chivas de Guadalajara. After a spell with Tigres UANL, Suarez joined Chivas USA during the 2006 preseason.
Internationally, only one player has represented his country more than Suarez. With Mexico, Suarez played 178 matches and stunned many in Mexico by landing a spot on the 2006 World Cup roster.
Though the 1990s were his heyday -- two World Cups, two Mexican league titles, and a Confederations Cup title -- Suarez said he continues to have a passion for soccer and wants to be sure of his decision when it comes time to make it.
"I know that once you say it's over, you have to follow through with it. And I don't want to regret my decision, like some of my former teammates have told me after they have retired," Suarez said. "Many of them made a bad decision of retiring too early and afterward they wanted to return but it wasn't possible. Their time was over and I don't want to have the same thing happen to me."
Suarez has shown no ill effects from his years of service in Mexico and with El Tricolor. He only played in 20 games last season because he missed 11 games due to his participation with Mexico's World Cup team. In his first season in MLS, Suarez logged 1,778 minutes and gave the club stability and instant credibility in the backline.
This season, Suarez has been a more important piece to the team than he was even a year ago. He was named captain in the preseason and has played every minute of the season thus far. He's also helped smooth the transition in the center of the field as Preki has gone from Lawson Vaughn to Shavar Thomas in recent weeks, a move that went off rather seamlessly.
Time, though, does take its toll, a fact Suarez acknowledged.
"Even though I love playing and training, soccer is more demanding every day, more dynamic and the work becomes harder," Suarez said. "Suddenly, there are times when I don't even want to get out of bed. It happens. That's why I think this year will be the last one. However, if we finish the season good and I'm fine physically, then I wouldn't be in a hurry to retire."
Over his playing days, Suarez has gained an invaluable insight that he has shared with his Chivas USA teammates. He also has grown a fondness for one aspect of soccer that he said he hopes to pursue once he hangs up his boots.
"I am considering continuing my career in soccer and studying the coaching profession," Suarez said.
However, like the decision to walk away from the game, Suarez said he won't get ahead of himself and make any hasty decisions in that aspect as well.
"I don't want to rush into anything," Suarez said. "If I take on that responsibility with a club, I want to be certain. I think I have had a successful career and I would like to have that as a coach as well."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
