and his winning pedigree -- to one of the youngest teams in the league.
He was an instant leader, both on the field and in the locker room. Although his best days were clearly behind him, Agoos was a tireless worker and his work ethic rubbed off on the Metros' younger players like Eddie Gaven.
Agoos played in 244 games, starting in all but seven during his 10-year MLS career. He finished with 11 goals and 25 assists, received 28 yellow cards and was red-carded just twice.
Agoos' playing career started in Dallas where he was tapped for U.S. youth teams. He began his national team career in 1983-as a member of the U-16 team-and he went on to earn 134 caps (second all-time) for the full national team. He played in two World Cups -- France in 1998 and Korea in 2002, where he helped lead the U.S. to its best finish ever.
Agoos was also a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic squad that finished fourth, the best finish ever for the men's soccer program.
"I can look back on my career with a big smile and be satisfied with my achievements both on and off the field," said Agoos, who lives in northern New Jersey with his wife and two children. "I look forward to the next phase of my life with my family."
If there's a regret for Agoos, it's not being able to get another ring with the MetroStars.
"I'll tell you. I'd trade all five in for one here in New York," Agoos said before deciding to retire. "I think it's very important for this city, this town, these fans to get a championship. The thing about winning championships and you can ask somebody who's won one, when you win one or two or however many, you want more. It's never enough. So there's quite a lot of hunger and passion to get a championship."
With Agoos now retired, D.C. United's Jaime Moreno is the reigning ring king of MLS with four.
"They're kind of like kids," Agoos said of his championship rings. "You love them all in different ways. Every ring has a different meaning and a little bit different substance behind it."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
