Monday, July 21, 2008

MLS Original Players (Updated)

A while ago I mention that Jaimie Moreno technically wasn't an MLS original. He joined DC United after the 1996 season was underway. With Tony Sanneh retiring from the game after his 2007 sting with the Colorado Rapids it appears that there are 5 players left that were with the league on it's first day. There are :

  • Diego Gutierrez - Chiacgo Fire
  • Jesse Marsch - Chivas USA
  • Steve Ralston - New England Revolution
  • Ante Razov - Chivas USA
  • Zach Thornton - New York Red Bulls

Of these only Steve Ralston and Jesse Marsch have played every year in the league. Diego Gutierrez was with Kansas City in 1997. Unfortunately he missed the entire season due to a knee injury. Zach Thorton was not in the MLS in 2004 having left on a free to Benefica. And Ante Razov wasn't around for much of the 2001 season having joined Spanish club Racing de Ferrol.

Diego Gutierrez mulled retirement after the 2007 ended. He came back for one more season. Given the age of these guys, enjoy seeing them play while you can. It's likely that 2008 will be the last season for a few other of these guys.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Love Diego Gutierrez, he is a great guy. I played club soccer with him in KC. He was the reason we won the u-19 state title. Hope he keeps playing.

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