Ezra retires

Discussion in 'Columbus Crew' started by DeVille, Jan 8, 2009.

  1. DeVille

    DeVille Member

    Apr 4, 2007
  2. Tycon5

    Tycon5 Member

    Jun 26, 2000
    Columbus, Ohio
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yes, Ezra did lose a step in the last couple of seasons but I believe that he had a part to play in the Crew's success, perhaps just not on game day.

    I wish him the very best in all his future endeavors.

    Now be nice.
     
  3. Finnegans Wake

    Finnegans Wake New Member

    Aug 28, 2008
    Ohio
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Veteran Crew defender Ezra Hendrickson announced his retirement Thursday, ending a stellar, 14-year professional career. Hendrickson capped his 12-season tenure in Major League Soccer by helping the Crew to its first MLS Cup Championship in 2008. It was the third MLS Cup title of his career.
    "I want to thank God for giving me the ability to do something I love for such a long time," Hendrickson said. "I'd also like to thank my family for all their support. I have been fortunate to make some wonderful friends and play with some of the top players in the league. I've played for some of the top organizations and enjoyed the support of all the fans. I intend to stay in the soccer world and continue to help the sport grow in the United States. But at this point, I'm happy to finish my playing career as a champion with the Columbus Crew."

    Hendrickson, who turns 37 next week, was originally acquired by the Crew from Chivas USA on April 28, 2006 and appeared in 60 games with 48 starts during his three-year stint with the club, recording two goals and two assists. He made 13 appearances with seven starts during the Crew's Supporters' Shield-winning regular season in 2008, and also made one appearance as a substitute during the club's championship run in the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs.

    "On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to thank Ezra for his many contributions to the Columbus Crew and congratulate him on a remarkable career," said Crew President & General Manager Mark McCullers. "We valued the versatility, work ethic and veteran leadership he brought to our team and there is no question that they contributed to our success. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

    The Layou, St. Vincent, native enjoyed a standout, 12-year career in MLS, including stints with New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, D.C. and Chivas USA, in addition to the Crew. Hendrickson retires from MLS with 266 total appearances, including 225 starts, 23 goals and 30 assists. He also appeared in 32 MLS Cup playoff games during his lengthy career, 26 of them starts, and tallied five goals and three assists.

    Hendrickson began his career in 1997 with the then-New York/New Jersey MetroStars, before joining Los Angeles prior to season's end. He totaled six seasons in Los Angeles and was a key component of the club's success as CONCACAF Champions Cup champions in 2000, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Champions in 2001 and MLS Cup Champions in 2002. He was also named the squad's Most Valuable Player for the 2001 season.

    Hendrickson was traded to Dallas during the 2003 season and then signed with D.C. United during the 2004 MLS campaign after beginning the season with the Charleston Battery of the A-League. He was a key contributor to D.C. United's MLS Cup Championship in 2004, making 14 total appearances in that season, including the full 90 minutes in the Eastern Conference Final.

    Hendrickson spent the 2005 season with Chivas USA, making 31 appearances, all starts, with the expansion side, while recording three goals and one assist, before being acquired by the Black & Gold in the early portion of the 2006 campaign.

    The Drake University product launched his professional career with two seasons with New Orleans of the USISL Select League (1995-96). He also enjoyed a successful 12-year career as a member of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines national team and served as its captain on numerous occasions.

    Founded by American sports pioneer Lamar Hunt, the Columbus Crew is Ohio's Major League Soccer club, anchoring a diverse sports and entertainment enterprise. One of the league's Charter Members, it is currently the reigning MLS Cup Champion and it has also won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup championship and MLS Supporters' Shield titles in 2004 and 2008. It will open its 14th season and defense of its MLS Cup championship on Saturday, March 21, at the Houston Dynamo and will open its 11th season in first-of-its-kind Columbus Crew Stadium on Saturday, March 28, against Toronto FC.

    TRANSACTION:

    Major League Soccer
    Columbus Crew -- D Ezra Hendrickson retired
     
  4. PVancouver

    PVancouver Member

    Apr 1, 1999
  5. BG13

    BG13 Member+

    Jun 25, 2007
    So we've got an open roster spot? How much cap space does this clear?
     
  6. Nonesuch

    Nonesuch Member

    May 16, 1999
    Old Gridania
    I'll second that.

    Good luck EZ, and take it EZ.
     
  7. Minnman

    Minnman Member+

    Feb 11, 2000
    Columbus, OH, USA
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    EZ made $72,000 last year.
     
  8. 110toyourleft

    110toyourleft Member+

    Jan 27, 2007
    Columbus
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Impossible not to like this guy. Thanks, EZ
     
  9. cleazer

    cleazer Member+

    May 6, 2003
    Toledo, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thank you, Ezra.

    Way to go out on top, and best of luck in the future.


    I've always believed that the mental aspect to the game and a player's preparation is just as vital as the physical aspect. Following on from that, I'll bet some people take a look at all the success Ezra has had over the years and give him further opportunities in this sport, as a coach or otherwise.
     
  10. THOMA GOL

    THOMA GOL BigSoccer Supporter

    Jul 16, 1999
    Frontier
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Retirement living in St. Vincent?....hmmmmm that's what's up!
     
  11. crewfighter

    crewfighter New Member

    Feb 15, 2006
    Claddagh's Roof
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well worth every dollar for all the positive mental coaching he brought to the locker room.

    $72,000 goes to the cap space. Sweet.
     
  12. eboe

    eboe Member+

    Columbus Crew
    United States
    May 23, 2006
    Columbus, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thank you EZ, for filling in when needed, and for your hard work off the field as well, especially giving Iro all you could off the field to help him grow into a better player.
     
  13. bradd

    bradd Member

    Jun 11, 2008
    Detroit, MI
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Ezra was a great person and even though he hadn't been playing as he used to, he will be missed. Good luck Ezra!

    Random Trivia: Ezra was an Arsenal fan.
     
  14. junior21

    junior21 New Member

    Apr 16, 2006
    Columbus
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    i'm not shocked that he retired. he was planning on doing it anyway. i thank him for his contribution to the team and i hope he sorta sticks around and teach the young guys.
     
  15. St. Patrick

    St. Patrick Member

    Mar 29, 1999
    Milwaukee, WI
    Best wishes for the future to my former college classmate and all-around great guy. Hope he stays in the game in some capacity.
     
  16. Grouchy

    Grouchy Member+

    Evil
    Apr 18, 1999
    Canal Winchester
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Echo the praise and well wishes for Ezra.
     
  17. patricksp

    patricksp 91.9 Crew Fan Rating

    Nov 4, 2007
    Columbus
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I read that article and my God has Lalas ruined enough teams with being a GM now he wants to be a coach. I feel sorry for anybody that picks him up.
     
  18. Hoolie McGee

    Hoolie McGee New Member

    May 17, 2008
    Massive, OH
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I will forgive the untimely penalty in the box against New England for just this one day. ;)
     
  19. YITBOS

    YITBOS Member+

    Jul 2, 2001
    1.3 hours from CCS
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He's not dead, only retired... so that means he probably still is an Arsenal fan. :p
     
  20. mateo319

    mateo319 Member

    Jul 19, 2004
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Fantastic.
     
  21. CelticCrew

    CelticCrew Member

    Apr 23, 2007
    f-ton
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    thanks EZ! best of luck in the future.
     
  22. gregro

    gregro New Member

    Sep 1, 2007
    The Emerald City
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    Posted by Jose Romero

    One for sure -- a fitness coach probably tomorrow, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. I wasn't able to confirm that a second one will be announced soon, but that third and final field assistant (joining GK coach Tom Dutra and top assistant Brian Schmetzer) could be Ezra Hendrickson.
    Hendrickson, who turns 37 next week, announced his retirement earlier today from MLS. He has a long history with Sigi Schmid from the L.A. Galaxy days and in Columbus.
    Here's a photo of Hendrickson from crewture.com by way of Getty Images.
    [​IMG]
     
  23. scaryice

    scaryice Member

    Jan 25, 2001
    With this retirement, I believe that there are now only 33 MLS players left who played during the "shootout era" (1996-99). Obviously this number could increase if someone like Hahnemann came back into the league.

    By year of debut:

    1996 (9)

    Corrales
    Hejduk
    Lewis
    Marsch
    McBride
    Moreno
    Ralston
    Razov
    Thornton


    1997 (1)

    Hartman


    1998 (13)

    Barrett
    Brown
    Cunningham
    Franchino
    Klein
    Marshall
    Mastroeni
    Mathis
    Olsen
    Petke
    Reis
    Talley
    Wolff


    1999 (10)

    Albright
    Cannon
    Conrad
    Heaps
    Kovalenko
    Mulrooney
    Prideaux
    Sutton
    Williams
    Wolyniec
     
  24. stanleyt

    stanleyt Member

    Dec 7, 1998
    Harlem, USA
    Props and well wishes to Ezra.

    It's one thing to be well-travelled, it's another to be well-travelled and well respected.

    EZ will be a boon to any coaching staff in MLS.
     
  25. gregro

    gregro New Member

    Sep 1, 2007
    The Emerald City
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    By reading the quotes here. It is great to see how much love and respect he has from the fans. Sounds like he would be a great addition for us the Crew or like you said, any team.

    I am sure he will land somewhere. :)
     

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