Oguchi Onyewu announces his retirement

Another USMNT fan favorite is calling it a career. Oguchi Onyewu, whose fierce, physical play earned the adoration of fans everywhere and led to many a “Gooch” chants in stadiums across the country, announced his retirement this morning after a 15-year career.

Onyewu began his professional career in France, leaving the Clemson University Tigers to sign with FC Metz in Ligue 2. His career took him to clubs like Newcastle, AC Milan, Standard Liege, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Málaga, and Queens Park Rangers before he ended his career with a stint with the Philadelphia Union last year.

With the United States, Gooch made his debut in October 2004, debuting as a substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Panama in his hometown of Washington, DC. In all, he had 69 caps for the USMNT, scoring 6 goals in the process. His final appearance for the national team was a 2-0 loss to Ukraine in March 2014 in Cyprus.

While Gooch may be remembered for his tenacious play and his physicality as a centerback, he will forever be known for The Stare, when one look at Jared Borgetti in the 2005 home World Cup qualifier against Mexico became a rallying cry for American fans in one of the world’s biggest rivalries.

Congrats to Gooch on a wonderful career. Hit the comments to react to this news and give us your favorite moment from Oguchi Onyewu’s career.