Former Galaxy and Chivas USA Star Ezra Hendrickson Retires

Columbus Crew defender Ezra Hendrickson announced today that after a 14-year career, including 12 MLS seasons with six different clubs, he is hanging up his cleats.

Hendrickson, who turns 37 next week, won three MLS Cup medals including one last year with the Crew at Home Depot Center.

"I have been fortunate to make some wonderful friends and play with some of the top players in the league," he said. "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 played 60 games with the Crew after joining the team from Chivas USA in 2006.

In all he made almost 300 MLS appearances, including one season with Chivas USA and most memorably six years with the Galaxy.

He was named the Galaxy MVP in 2001 and played a pivotal role in the team winning three trophies during his tenure.

Hendrickson, a native of the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean, was a happy go lucky character off the field, quick with a smile and a good quote that made him a favorite of busy reporters on deadline.

The lanky defender also liked to come forward for set pieces where he used his height to good effect en route to scoring 28 MLS goals.

Toward the end of his career he was more often than not a squad player rather than a regular starter, but Hendrickson understood how to maximize his physical abilities for the good of the team - and his career.