Cary Talley, a dependable veteran defender for Chivas USA who played a dozen MLS seasons for five clubs, was waived today ahead of Wednesday’s 5 p.m. roster compliance deadline as anticipated.

“Carey provided leadership and strong play for us in the last two seasons,” said Chivas USA Vice President of Soccer Operations Stephen Hamilton. “This year, both he and the club decided to move in a different direction.”

Translation: he didn’t want to take a pay cut from the $110,000 he made last year.

Talley, 33, played 43 games for Chivas USA after joining them from Real Salt Lake in 2008, all except one as a starter.

All told, he’s clocked up more than 300 MLS games since 1998 in his rookie year for D.C. United; he also played for Kansas City and Dallas.

Also gone: goalkeeper Jon Conway, who made all of one appearance in a friendly for Chivas USA after joining them last September after stints in New York and San Jose.

I’m going to miss Jesse Marsch and Talley in the Chivas USA locker room this season; both were great quotes who knew how to break a game down.

But at least I got to use that mug of Talley from his RSL days.